Divivity Soundscape

Can you play Spotify in your shop or café?

It is easy to connect your phone to the speakers and press play. But an ordinary Spotify account is made for private listening, not for music that customers and guests hear. Here is what applies, and a simpler way.

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Spotify is for personal use only

Spotify states that the service is for personal, non-commercial use only. On its support page it names bars, restaurants, stores and salons as places where Spotify may not be played publicly. That applies even to a paid Premium account, and even if the music is just in the background at a low volume.

What you get instead

Good to know

It is a different selection of music than Spotify. We have chosen music that suits a business, not chart hits. If you want to play those artists, you need licences for them.

Questions about the rules?

This text is general information and not legal advice. If you need to know exactly what applies to your business, contact a lawyer or your local music licensing organisation.

Common questions

Can I play Spotify Premium in my shop?

No. Spotify states that the service is for personal, non-commercial use only, and may not be played publicly in places such as stores, restaurants and salons.

Does that apply if I play it quietly or only in the background?

Yes. It is the playback for customers and guests that counts, not the volume.

What is the difference between licence-free music and Spotify?

Licence-free music comes from creators who are not represented by the collecting societies, so it does not include the well-known artists. It is chosen to suit a business instead.

Sources

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