Rights & Ownership

Rights & Ownership

What FLM is licensing to you

Fully Licensed Music owns and controls 100% of the copyrights in its catalog: 1) the musical works (melodies and lyrics) and 2) the sound recordings (the actual audio). We license this catalog directly to your business for background use inside your premises. We do not authorize any Music collection society or other third party to collect royalties for our catalog.

Your coverage condition: when you play only FLM music as background music, you are covered for our rights in that music under your active subscription. Your account includes a digital certificate you can show to landlords, auditors, and inspectors.

Note: Using other music sources on site may require separate licenses from rights holders or Music collection societies.

The rights landscape, in plain English

1) Public performance / communication to the public

What it is: Playing music so customers or staff can hear it in a business. Examples: speakers in a shop, hotel lobby, restaurant, gym, office.

How FLM handles it: We control both the musical works and recordings for our catalog and license you directly for background use. No third-party collections apply to our catalog.

2) Mechanical reproduction

What it is: Making copies of music. Examples: downloading files to local storage, burning CDs, caching full tracks.

How FLM handles it: Our service is streaming only. No local copies. If you need offline copies for any reason, that requires a separate written license from FLM.

3) Synchronization (sync)

What it is: Locking music to moving pictures or other media. Examples: ads, social posts, in-store videos, menu boards, YouTube, TV spots.

How FLM handles it: Not included in background-use subscriptions. Sync requires a separate written license from FLM.

4) Master use

What it is: Permission to use an actual sound recording in another production.

How FLM handles it: Not included in background-use subscriptions. Requires a separate written license.

5) Neighboring rights / related rights

What it is: Rights connected to sound recordings and performances in certain territories.

How FLM handles it: We control the recordings in our catalog and license you directly for background play. Where neighboring-rights frameworks exist, they do not apply to our catalog when you are playing only FLM under this license.

6) Moral rights

What it is: Creator rights like attribution and integrity in some countries.

How FLM handles it: Our agreements ensure background use is permitted as supplied, with no obligation for credit inside your premises.

7) Grand rights (theatrical)

What it is: Dramatic performances like stage musicals and operas.

How FLM handles it: Not relevant to business background music.

What is included in your subscription

• Scope: Non-exclusive, non-transferable background-music license for your commercial premises.
• Territory: Your places of business as registered to your account.
• Delivery: Streaming from FLM’s approved interfaces or our dedicated devices.
• Proof: Verifiable digital certificate and account records.
• Quality: Professionally produced catalog curated for business environments.

What is not included

• Synchronization with video or any media production.
• Advertising productions outside of the FLM platform.
• Local downloads, copying, or redistribution.
• Re-broadcasting to other premises or any public broadcast.
• Live performances or DJ sets using non-FLM music.
• On-hold telephone music, unless explicitly added to your plan in writing.

Your responsibilities

• Play only FLM for background music in licensed areas to remain covered for our rights.
• Do not mix sources. Any third-party music, radio, TV audio, personal streaming services, or live performances may require separate licenses from rights holders or Music collection societies.
• Keep your subscription active and devices connected.
• Use approved delivery methods. Do not download or rip the audio.

How to verify your rights on site

1. Open your FLM Digital Certificate.
2. Show your active status, premises, and date.
3. Provide this page’s Rights & Ownership summary on request.
4. If you are contacted by a Music collection society, share your certificate and direct any questions to legal@FullyLicensedMusic.com.

Edge cases to avoid confusion

• Staff playlists or guest DJs: Covered only if the music they play is FLM. Anything else needs separate licensing.
• Holiday parties or live acts: Live performances are outside this license.
• Social media or in-store video spots: This is sync. Ask us for a sync quote.
• Multi-site groups: Each site needs to be listed on your account.
• Offline playback: Not allowed unless FLM provides a written offline license.

Short glossary

• Musical work: The composition and lyrics.
• Sound recording: The recorded performance you hear.
• Background use: Non-featured playback in a business environment.
• Sync: Music attached to visuals.
• Mechanical: Copying or storing music.

Contact

For compliance questions or letters of confirmation: legal@FullyLicensedMusic.com

Note: This page explains how FLM licenses its catalog for background use. Using other music sources may trigger separate obligations to rights holders or Music collection societies.