Operating a legal commercial space requires a deep understanding of public performance rights. If you are researching how to secure licensed music for business, you have likely encountered Global Music Rights. Unlike older organizations, this boutique agency represents a high-density catalog of modern hits, making compliance essential for any business that wants to play popular music without risking federal copyright infringement penalties.
Understanding GMR Music and Performance Rights
Global Music Rights (GMR) began in 2013 as a private, for-profit group. This is a big deal because GMR does not follow the same rules as ASCAP or BMI. For a small business owner, this means your current licenses might not cover GMR songs. You could be playing the radio today and still face legal risks. Even if you pay other groups, you are not safe until you cover GMR.
Managing multiple business locations makes this even harder. Each shop or office needs its own license. If you lack the right paperwork, you may face high fines for copyright issues.
Make an informed choice! Compare music providers for your business on our Compare Page—free and simple.
How GMR Licensing Costs Work
GMR licensing costs are not the same for every business. The price depends on how you use the music and how big your space is. They look at your business type and your building’s size. They also check how many people can fit in your store or restaurant. Because GMR represents very famous artists, their fees are often higher than other groups.
What should you do if GMR reaches out to you? They often send letters or emails if they think you are playing their music without a license. They might ask you to fill out a form or buy a direct license. To save time and money, many owners use a commercial streaming service. These services handle the GMR licensing requirements for you. This is often cheaper than paying GMR directly each year.
How Big Is the GMR Catalog?
GMR represents a small but powerful catalog. As of its most recent public figures, GMR covers roughly 43,000 songs from about 80 to 90 songwriters. That sounds tiny next to BMI’s 22 million works or ASCAP’s 13 million. But size isn’t the point. GMR built its roster by signing songwriters whose songs are nearly impossible to avoid, whether you’re listening to the radio or curating a store playlist. Drake, Bruce Springsteen, and Bruno Mars are just a few names on that list.
GMR is invite-only, so it doesn’t publish a searchable repertory database the way ASCAP and BMI do. You can’t look up a song and confirm GMR coverage in seconds. That’s exactly why most small business owners skip the lookup process entirely and use a licensed background music provider that already pays for GMR rights, rather than trying to clear songs one by one.
Do You Host Karaoke, Live Music, or a DJ? You Need a Direct GMR License.
Background music services cover your everyday playlist. But they don’t cover live events. If your bar, restaurant, or venue hosts karaoke nights, books a DJ, or brings in a live act, you’re responsible for licensing the songs performed directly from the PRO. That means going to each PRO yourself, including GMR. You can learn more with our Karaoke Music Licensing guide.
GMR is a boutique, private PRO but it represents some of the most-played songs in the country. There’s a strong chance their songs will get played at your event. Without a license, you’re exposed to a copyright claim, even for a single night. Get your GMR license directly here before your next event or you can use our free Music Licensing Checker to know which licenses you need based on how you use music in your business.
Free Tool · Takes 1 Minute
Does GMR Cover Publishing Rights or Performance Rights?
GMR is a performance rights organization, not a publisher. It collects royalties when a songwriter’s composition gets played in public, like over the speakers in your restaurant or retail store. It does not handle royalties from song sales, individual streams, or sheet music. That distinction matters because you’ll sometimes see “publishing” mentioned next to GMR’s name. Bruno Mars’s publishing catalog, for example, is part of GMR’s roster. That’s a separate business arrangement from the performance license your business needs.
Publishing rights cover who owns a song and how it gets licensed for things like films, ads, or printed music. Performance rights, GMR’s actual business, cover the right to play that song publicly. If you’re playing background music for ambiance, you only need performance rights coverage, the kind GMR and the other four PROs provide. You don’t need a separate publishing deal to legally play music in your business.
Overview of Performance Rights Organizations (PROs)
To remain compliant, you generally need coverage from several different entities. Here are the primary organizations involved in US music rights:
- ASCAP: This is the largest non-profit organization in the space, managing over 11 million compositions. See our ASCAP Music Licensing Guide.
- BMI: A major non-profit entity and the primary competitor to ASCAP, featuring a massive catalog across every musical genre. See our BMI Music Licensing Guide.
- SESAC: An invitation-only private organization known for representing high-earning, prestigious songwriters. See our SESAC Music License Guide.
- ALLTrack: Alltrack is a digital-first PRO focusing on the modern independent artist and represent popular artists such as No Doubt, MXPX and Future. They use advanced “fingerprinting” technology to ensure their 15,000+ creators are accurately paid when their music is performed. Learn more on our ALLTrack Music Licensing Guide.
- GMR: Global Music Rights is a highly selective group that represents elite stars and chart-topping catalogs.
Is Global Music Rights a Legitimate Organization?
Yes. GMR is a legitimate, for-profit performance rights organization founded in 2013 by music executive Irving Azoff. It operates legally alongside ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and AllTrack, collecting royalties on behalf of the songwriters it represents.
GMR’s biggest public controversy was a five-year antitrust lawsuit against the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC), the group representing over 10,000 commercial radio stations. The two sides resolved the dispute after more than five years of litigation. The Department of Justice sided with GMR in December 2019, and GMR and RMLC reached a final settlement in early 2022, ending the legal battle. The case never found GMR did anything illegal. It was a rate dispute between a PRO and broadcasters, the kind that has played out in the music industry for decades.
For a small business owner playing background music, this lawsuit has no bearing on whether you need a GMR license. You do, unless your provider already includes it. The dispute only affected the terms GMR could negotiate with radio stations. It says nothing about whether the organization itself is real, active, or legally enforceable. It is all three.
Top 3 Music Providers for Your Business
| Provider | Great For... | Starting Monthly Price | Free Trial Available | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ease of Use Like Spotify | $37 | Learn More | |
 | Brand Control & Luxury | $27 | Learn More | |
 Rockbot | TV & Signage Integration | $25 | Learn More |
Why We Picked These Top Music for Business Providers That Include GMR Music Licensing
- Soundtrack (Formerly Spotify for Business): Soundtrack provides one of the most extensive libraries available for commercial use. They handle the heavy lifting of GMR licensing requirements, allowing you to focus on your customers while they manage the royalty payments to artists.
- SoundMachine (Great for Brand Consistency): SoundMachine is a favorite for small businesses because it integrates easily with existing hardware. Their service is fully compliant with US copyright law, including the specific catalogs managed by GMR.
- Rockbot (Great for “Set It and Forget It”): Rockbot offers a tech-forward approach to background music. In addition to covering GMR music, they provide tools for on-screen visuals and guest requests, all while staying within legal boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions About GMR Licensing
Can I use a personal Spotify account to avoid GMR costs?
No. Standard consumer terms of service specifically prohibit commercial use. According to the U.S. Copyright Act, public performances in a business setting require specific business licenses that personal accounts do not provide. There is no Spotify for Business, Apple Music for Business or Amazon Music for Business.
Does GMR offer a combined license with ASCAP?
No, these are separate entities. You must pay each organization individually or use a commercial provider that bundles these fees together into a single subscription.
What happens if I play GMR artists without a license?
You may receive a cease-and-desist letter followed by legal action. Statutory damages for copyright infringement can range from $750 to $150,000 per song played.
What is GMR music licensing?
This refers to the legal permission required from Global Music Rights to play their catalog in a public setting. It is a performance right that ensures songwriters and publishers are compensated when their music is used to enhance a commercial environment.
How much are GMR licensing costs for a small business?
GMR licensing costs are not fixed and vary based on your business type, square footage, and how the music is used. Typically, these fees are billed annually and can be significantly higher per song than other organizations due to the exclusive nature of their artist roster.
Which GMR artists are included in their license?
The roster includes some of the most influential names in music, such as Drake, Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, and the Eagles.
If I have a GMR license, can I play my music on Spotify or Apple Music?
No. Spotify and Apple Music are still for personal use only. To play your background music you will still need a licensed music provider to cover GMR artists and other PROs.
Do music for business providers include a GMR license?
Yes. Top legal music for business providers such as Soundtrack Your Brand, SoundMachine, Jukeboxy and others include a GMR license.
If I still need a legal music provider, do I need a license from a PRO like GMR?
Maybe. It depends on what types of music events you hold in your bar, restaurant or business. If you are hosting karaoke or DJs, you will need a license from the individual PROs like GMR to play that music. A background music provider does not cover the licensing for Karaoke or DJs. Get your GMR license directly here, or you can find your specific music licensing requirements with our music licensing checker.
Which music for business providers offer the best value if I need full PRO coverage, including GMR?
Since GMR represents a smaller, higher-profile catalog than ASCAP or BMI, it’s worth confirming any provider you choose bundles GMR alongside the major PROs rather than treating it as an add-on. Providers like Soundtrack Your Brand and SoundMachine include GMR coverage as part of their standard licensing. See our quick 9 fully licensed providers guide to compare full PRO coverage, pricing, and free trials side by side.
Ready to choose? See the best music providers for your business on our Compare Page—it's free and easy!
By John Boyle
John is a music for business expert and the founder of MusicforBusinessFinder.com which has been featured on BigIdeasforSmallBusiness.com, Noobpreneur and YFS Magazine. He focuses on helping small business owners navigate the confusing world of commercial music licensing, improve sales, and protect their businesses. By providing clear, independent analysis of top audio platforms, he ensures owners can make informed choices with confidence. He also loves rooting for the Mariners and his daughter’s soccer team.