What is SESAC?
Music licensing in the US is complex. Each of the six-plus PROs represents different music creators with unique music catalogs. SESAC is a US performing rights organization (PRO) that licenses the public performance of its members’ music and pays them the fees it collects. SESAC is smaller than ASCAP and BMI and invitation-only, with more than 15,000 affiliated songwriters and publishers and over one million songs.
When do you need a SESAC license?
A business needs a SESAC license to play SESAC-represented music from any source that doesn’t already carry one, such as a live band or a DJ. SESAC licenses by business type — restaurant, hotel or gym — across more than 70 types of business.
Note: a SESAC license doesn’t cover songs from ASCAP, BMI or GMR. Admission charges, instructed fitness classes and live music typically require extra permissions, even with Soundtrack.
Does Soundtrack include a SESAC license?
Yes, SESAC is included
Soundtrack includes the SESAC license for US users, so a business that plays music through Soundtrack doesn’t need a separate SESAC license for that music. In the US, Soundtrack includes the public performance licenses you need from ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC.
Everything included
Say goodbye to paperwork and fees. Your background music from Soundtrack comes with access to music from ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC. A letter from SESAC doesn’t settle whether you owe a fee: that depends on which music you play and where it comes from. Music played through Soundtrack is covered by your plan.
How much does a SESAC license cost?
SESAC doesn’t publish a standard price for business licenses. The fee comes from a license agreement written for your type of business, so a restaurant, a hotel and a gym each pay under a different agreement. For a quote, contact SESAC directly.
A SESAC license is only one of four. ASCAP, BMI and GMR each charge their own fee too. With Soundtrack, the SESAC license is part of your plan, so music played through Soundtrack adds no separate SESAC fee.
FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about SESAC licensing.
Do I need a SESAC license if I use Spotify?
You can’t use Spotify in your business. The terms and conditions are clear: Spotify is only available for personal use.
Is SESAC legitimate?
Yes. SESAC is a legitimate US performing rights organization, not a scam. The name originally stood for Society of European Stage Authors and Composers. SESAC represents more than 15,000 affiliated songwriters and publishers, licenses the public performance of their music and distributes the fees it collects to them.
How does SESAC calculate its fees?
SESAC doesn’t have a flat rate. It sets fees through license agreements written for each type of business, such as restaurants, hotels or fitness centers, and doesn’t publish a standard price list for business music.
Does Soundtrack replace a direct SESAC agreement?
For music played through Soundtrack, yes. Soundtrack users in the US don’t need to get licensed directly from SESAC for that music. SESAC music from other sources, such as live bands or DJs, isn’t covered.
