{"id":37096,"date":"2026-04-07T09:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/?p=37096"},"modified":"2026-04-07T11:27:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T09:27:30","slug":"web-radio-licensing-copyright-and-music-rights-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/web-radio-licensing-copyright-and-music-rights-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Web Radio Licensing : Copyright and music rights explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Whether you&rsquo;re an individual, a non-profit, or a business, <strong>launching a web radio<\/strong> means navigating a specific legal framework. Broadcasting <strong>music<\/strong> online requires complying with several obligations related to <strong>intellectual property<\/strong>: registering with your country&rsquo;s broadcasting authority, obtaining a licence from a <strong>Performing Rights Organization (PRO)<\/strong> for <strong>copyright<\/strong>, and declaring your activity to the relevant <strong>neighboring rights<\/strong> collecting society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we help you understand how <strong>rights<\/strong> work, which <strong>works<\/strong> are affected, and what steps to take with the relevant <strong>collective management organizations<\/strong> to broadcast legally. As a web radio operator, protecting creators is a legal obligation \u2014 not just good practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note: <\/strong><em>The information in this article is subject to change. We recommend contacting the relevant organizations directly based on your project and location, particularly to verify the most up-to-date fee schedules.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ff9150\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Do I Need a Licence to Start a Web Radio?<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the vast majority of cases, yes. The applicable legal framework is based on your country&rsquo;s <strong>copyright law<\/strong> and broadcasting regulations. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wipo.int\/treaties\/en\/ip\/berne\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Berne Convention<\/strong><\/a>, the foundational international treaty on intellectual property, provides a common baseline across most countries. The specific requirements for online broadcasting generally depend on your annual budget or turnover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Small-scale or non-commercial operations:<\/strong> Many countries offer simplified registration or declarative regimes for non-profit web radios, associations, or individuals with limited budgets. Check with your local broadcasting authority for eligibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Commercial operations:<\/strong> Full licensing agreements are typically required, often calculated as a percentage of annual revenue, with a minimum flat fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever you wish to broadcast music from a repertoire managed by a <strong>PRO<\/strong>, you must obtain a <strong>licence<\/strong> covering the <strong>reproduction<\/strong> and <strong>communication to the public<\/strong> of musical <strong>works<\/strong>, as defined under applicable copyright law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"650\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils.png\" alt=\"web radio host broadcasting legally with copyright compliance\" class=\"wp-image-37084 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-640x325.png 640w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-768x390.png 768w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1240x630.png 1240w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-860x437.png 860w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-680x345.png 680w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-500x254.png 500w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-400x203.png 400w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-200x102.png 200w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-50x25.png 50w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/650;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils.png\" alt=\"web radio host broadcasting legally with copyright compliance\" class=\"wp-image-37084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-640x325.png 640w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-768x390.png 768w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1240x630.png 1240w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-860x437.png 860w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-680x345.png 680w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-500x254.png 500w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-400x203.png 400w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-200x102.png 200w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-50x25.png 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding <strong>neighboring rights<\/strong>, most countries now allow web radios to access the full phonographic repertoire through a simple declaration or registration with the relevant collecting society \u2014 no prior individual authorization required. This <strong>equitable remuneration<\/strong> benefits performing artists and record producers, both of whom are essential contributors to the music creation chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you prefer not to broadcast commercial music, you can opt for <strong>works in the public domain<\/strong> or <strong>royalty-free \/ Creative Commons licensed music<\/strong> \u2014 a legal alternative that removes some obligations, though it warrants careful analysis depending on your actual needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ff9150\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Which Organizations Should I Contact to Broadcast Legally?<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To legally broadcast music on your web radio, you will typically need to contact three types of organizations. These <strong>collective management societies<\/strong> play complementary roles in protecting <strong>authors<\/strong>, performers, and producers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Role of Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>Performing Rights Organization (PRO)<\/strong> is responsible for managing <strong>copyright<\/strong> on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Well-known PROs include <strong>PRS for Music<\/strong> (UK), <strong>ASCAP<\/strong>, <strong>BMI<\/strong>, and <strong>SESAC<\/strong> (USA), <strong>SOCAN<\/strong> (Canada), <strong>APRA AMCOS<\/strong> (Australia\/New Zealand), and many others worldwide. Most are signatories to the <strong>Berne Convention<\/strong>, which ensures cross-border protection of literary and artistic works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The PRO licence covers the <strong>right of reproduction<\/strong> and the <strong>right of communication to the public<\/strong> of musical works \u2014 but does not cover <strong>moral rights<\/strong> (which are inalienable) or derived rights such as adaptation or translation. Any use of music in a promotional or branded context typically falls outside standard licences and requires a separate agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Broadcast data<\/strong> (track titles, duration, airtime) must be submitted regularly to your PRO to enable accurate royalty distribution to rights holders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Typical PRO Licence Fees for Web Radios (indicative \u2014 check with your local PRO for current rates)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Type of Web Radio<\/th><th>Typical Annual Fee (excl. taxes) per stream<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Non-profit \/ individual \/ public institution, without podcasts<\/td><td>Low flat fee (varies by country and PRO)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Non-profit \/ individual \/ public institution, with podcasts<\/td><td>Slightly higher flat fee (varies by country and PRO)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Commercial web radio<\/td><td>% of annual revenue, with a minimum flat fee<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note: <\/strong><em>If you also offer podcasts on your platform, a separate licence may be required. Contact your local PRO for details.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Custom pricing arrangements are generally available for <strong>branded web radios<\/strong> or stations closely associated with a commercial brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Role of Neighboring Rights Collecting Societies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond songwriters and composers, others contribute to the creation of a sound recording: <strong>performing artists<\/strong> and <strong>record producers<\/strong>. The law grants them <strong>neighboring rights<\/strong> (also called <strong>related rights<\/strong>), recognized under both national copyright laws and international treaties such as the <strong>Rome Convention<\/strong> and the <strong>TRIPS Agreement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These rights are managed by dedicated collecting societies \u2014 for example, <strong>PPL<\/strong> (UK), <strong>SoundExchange<\/strong> (USA), <strong>Re:Sound<\/strong> (Canada), or <strong>PPCA<\/strong> (Australia). These organizations collect <strong>equitable remuneration<\/strong> and distribute it equally between societies representing performing artists and those representing phonogram producers. They cover commercial recordings (singles, albums, self-produced tracks) whenever they are broadcast on your station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In many countries, a simple online registration is now sufficient to access the full phonographic repertoire. Fee schedules are typically published by the relevant authority or ministry of culture, ensuring a regulated legal framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Indicative fee:<\/strong> Annual minimum fees for neighboring rights vary significantly by country and organization. Contact your local neighboring rights society directly for accurate pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is the Difference Between Copyright and Neighboring Rights?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>PROs and neighboring rights societies are independent but complementary. <strong>PROs<\/strong> manage the <strong>copyright<\/strong> of authors, composers, and publishers \u2014 the intellectual creation side. <strong>Neighboring rights societies<\/strong> manage the rights of performing artists and producers for sound recordings \u2014 the performance and production side. As a web radio operator, you are generally required to comply with both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Role of Your Broadcasting Regulator<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most countries have a <strong>broadcasting authority<\/strong> that regulates audiovisual and digital distribution \u2014 for example, <strong>Ofcom<\/strong> (UK), the <strong>FCC<\/strong> (USA), or the <strong>CRTC<\/strong> (Canada). These bodies apply national broadcasting legislation and oversee who is authorized to operate a radio or audio streaming service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In practice, many regulators require that the service be operated by a <strong>legal entity<\/strong> (association, company, etc.), which may present a practical challenge for individuals or sole traders looking to launch a web radio. Check with your local regulator for the applicable rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ff9150\" class=\"has-inline-color\">What Happens If You Don&rsquo;t Pay Copyright and Neighboring Rights Fees?<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Music is a professional activity for authors, composers, artists, and producers. Failure to pay <strong>copyright<\/strong> and <strong>neighboring rights<\/strong> fees can constitute an infringement of copyright law, potentially leading to criminal penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In practice, collecting societies typically begin with a friendly compliance notice. If no response is received after several follow-ups, a formal letter of formal notice is sent, which may lead to legal or judicial penalties. The timeframe before such proceedings varies, but it is strongly advisable to regularize your situation from the very start of your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"650\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1.png\" alt=\"person checking copyright requirements before launching a web radio\" class=\"wp-image-37085 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-640x325.png 640w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-768x390.png 768w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-1240x630.png 1240w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-860x437.png 860w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-680x345.png 680w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-500x254.png 500w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-400x203.png 400w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-200x102.png 200w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-50x25.png 50w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1280px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1280\/650;\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1.png\" alt=\"person checking copyright requirements before launching a web radio\" class=\"wp-image-37085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-640x325.png 640w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-768x390.png 768w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-1240x630.png 1240w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-860x437.png 860w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-680x345.png 680w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-500x254.png 500w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-400x203.png 400w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-200x102.png 200w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Conseils-1-50x25.png 50w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Broadcast Without Paying PRO \/ Neighboring Rights Fees?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some web radios choose to broadcast only <strong>works in the public domain<\/strong> or under <strong>open licences<\/strong>. In most countries, the standard duration of copyright protection is <strong>70 years after the death of the author<\/strong>, in line with the Berne Convention and harmonized intellectual property directives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Creative Commons<\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.radioking.com\/blog\/what-is-royalty-free-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">royalty-free music<\/a> are also a viable option: these licences allow creators to share their works while defining specific conditions of use (such as requiring attribution, prohibiting commercial use, or restricting modifications). However, not all Creative Commons licences are entirely free to use in all contexts \u2014 some require source attribution, others involve a fee. It is worth comparing the cost of these alternatives against standard licence fees from your local PRO and neighboring rights society, taking your project&rsquo;s growth and target audience into account. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.radioking.com\/blog\/kevin-macleod-the-man-behind-millions-of-soundtracks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">composer Kevin MacLeod<\/a> offers a large catalogue of music under Creative Commons licences, often free to use with attribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Content such as <strong>animation soundtracks<\/strong>, <strong>jingles<\/strong>, or <strong>show themes<\/strong> may be subject to specific licensing regimes \u2014 check with the relevant collecting societies on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ff9150\" class=\"has-inline-color\">How to Submit a Broadcast Report?<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Collecting societies distribute collected <strong>royalties<\/strong> based on the tracks actually broadcast. Yet many web radios still fail to submit their programme data, making it harder to redistribute royalties fairly to authors and composers. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RadioKing&rsquo;s Radio Manager<\/a>, you can automatically generate a <strong>broadcast report<\/strong> and send it directly to the relevant organizations \u2014 a practice that is both legally sound and ethically responsible, contributing to a fairer music economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>In Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">The three pillars of a legal framework for a music web radio are: a <strong>Performing Rights Organization (PRO)<\/strong> (for the copyright of musical works), a <strong>neighboring rights collecting society<\/strong> (for the rights linked to sound recordings), and your <strong>national broadcasting regulator<\/strong> (for audiovisual distribution oversight). Since every project is unique, we encourage you to contact these organizations directly to get advice tailored to your specific situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Whether you are an individual, a non-profit, or a business, launching a web radio may require registering with your broadcasting authority, obtaining a music licence from a PRO, and registering with your country&rsquo;s neighboring rights collecting society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/login\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"191\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-640x191.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28357 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 640px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 640\/191;aspect-ratio:3.350785340314136;width:838px;height:auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-640x191.png 640w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-300x89.png 300w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-768x229.png 768w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-1536x457.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-1920x572.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-1680x500.png 1680w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-1240x369.png 1240w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-860x256.png 860w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-680x202.png 680w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-500x149.png 500w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-400x119.png 400w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-200x60.png 200w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-50x15.png 50w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1.png 1965w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"191\" src=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-640x191.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28357\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3.350785340314136;width:838px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-640x191.png 640w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-300x89.png 300w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-768x229.png 768w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-1536x457.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-1920x572.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-1680x500.png 1680w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-1240x369.png 1240w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-860x256.png 860w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-680x202.png 680w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-500x149.png 500w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-400x119.png 400w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-200x60.png 200w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1-50x15.png 50w, https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Frame-1.png 1965w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775135313678\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Am I allowed to broadcast well-known songs on my web radio?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, but only if you have obtained the necessary licences, particularly from a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) in your country.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775135315808\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do I have to pay even if my web radio makes no money?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Even without revenue, you are generally required to register your activity with the relevant collecting society and pay a minimum annual fee.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775135316827\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I avoid paying PRO fees?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, if you broadcast no commercial music and use only royalty-free music or Creative Commons licensed tracks. But be careful: these licences may impose conditions such as attribution requirements or restrictions on commercial use.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775135436515\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the difference between copyright and neighboring rights?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Copyright (managed by PROs) compensates the creators of musical works \u2014 songwriters and composers. Neighboring rights (managed by neighboring rights societies) compensate performing artists and record producers.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775135457204\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I broadcast podcasts or shows without paying?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, if you only use your own original content or content that is fully royalty-free. Otherwise, additional licences may be required.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you&rsquo;re an individual, a non-profit, or a business, launching a web radio means navigating a specific legal framework. Broadcasting music online requires complying with several obligations related to intellectual property: registering with your country&rsquo;s broadcasting authority, obtaining a licence from a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) for copyright, and declaring your activity to the relevant neighboring rights collecting society. In this article, we help you understand how rights work, which works are affected, and what steps to take with the relevant collective management organizations to broadcast legally. As a web radio operator, protecting creators is a legal obligation \u2014 not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":79,"featured_media":37099,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[590],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37096"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/79"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37096"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37098,"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37096\/revisions\/37098"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.radioking.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}