Growth across sectors, but the same underlying challenge

Over the past few weeks, we’ve started working with a varied group of new clients, including:

• a Premier League football club

• a large UK motor group

• two restaurant groups

• a hotel operator

• and a major UK running event

Different sectors, different operations, different environments, but all with one thing in common:

They want to make sure their music and TV licensing is set up properly.

That sounds simple, but the nuance of fitting modern copyright use into 30-year-old tariffs can bring challenges.

At My Music Solutions, a big part of our work is helping businesses understand how licensing applies to how they operate, rather than relying on assumptions or legacy setups that may no longer reflect the day to day reality.

 That includes:

• making sure sites and activities are categorised correctly

• reviewing whether the right tariffs are being applied

• helping businesses build systems that accurately track and declare music use

• simplifying administration for multi-site operations

• and querying areas where tariff wording or application is unclear

The goal isn’t to avoid licensing. It’s to make sure businesses are licensed correctly, proportionately and confidently for the music and TV they use.

One thing we’re increasingly seeing is that modern businesses often don’t fit neatly into one traditional category anymore.

What happens at a modern stadium on the 300+ days per year that sport isn't taking place?

How does a restaurant group deal with different music environments or hybrid operating across their estate requiring a more detailed site level assessment?

How does an event business license temporary or evolving uses that standard processes weren’t designed around?

That’s where independent advice and knowledge or what's happening elsewhere in the sector becomes valuable.

In several of these new engagements, our initial investigations have already identified opportunities to improve how licensing is administered internally, not just from a cost perspective, but from an accuracy and compliance perspective too.

Sometimes that means refining declarations.

Sometimes it means improving processes.

And sometimes it means raising sensible questions around how tariffs are interpreted, for the benefit of all licensees operating in similar situations. 

What’s encouraging is that more businesses are now taking a proactive approach to licensing rather than only reviewing it when a renewal, audit or issue arises.

We’ll always offer businesses a free, hassle-free assessment of their current music and TV licensing arrangements.

The aim is simple:

• make sure you remain compliant

• ensure you’re only paying for the copyright use you need

• reduce unnecessary administration

• and help you achieve the best possible value for money from your licensing arrangements

Independent advice and accurate licensing should benefit everyone involved, businesses, licensing bodies and ultimately the creators those licences support.

In our experience, that nearly always leads to better outcomes for everyone involved and we look forward to supporting all our new clients over the coming months.