10 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST NEWS Music is a common feature in many dental practices, helping create a more welcoming and calming environment in waiting rooms, reception areas and treatment spaces. However, many practice owners are unaware that playing copyrightprotected music in a business setting typically requires permission from the copyright owners. If you play music that patients, visitors or staff can hear in your dental practice, a music licence may be required under Australia’s Copyright Act 1968/New Zealand’s Copyright Act (1994) Why dental practices may need a music licence When music is played in a commercial environment, such as a dental practice, it is generally considered a public performance. This includes music heard in waiting rooms, treatment areas and other parts of a practice where patients, visitors or staff may be present. A OneMusic licence provides permission for dental practices to play the vast majority of the world’s most popular music while helping meet their copyright obligations. A licence may be required regardless of how music is played Many practice owners assume they are covered because they pay for a streaming subscription or use a radio station as background music. However, a music licence may still be required when copyright-protected music is played through: u Waiting room televisions or radios u CDs and digital music downloads u Consumer or commercial music streaming services u Background music supplier services u Music played in treatment rooms, reception areas or staff areas The source of the music does not change the need for permission to use it in a business environment. What is OneMusic? In New Zealand, APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ established OneMusic in 2013. The OneMusic joint licensing initiative simplifies the licensing process for businesses, by offering single OneMusic licence agreements on behalf of APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ. In Australia, OneMusic is a joint music licensing initiative of APRA AMCOS and PPCA. Established in 2019, it simplifies music licensing by providing a single licence covering both musical works and sound recordings. For dental practices, this means one straightforward solution for legally playing music in their business. Supporting the creators behind the music Licence fees collected through OneMusic are distributed as royalties to songwriters, composers, music publishers, recording artists and record labels, after administration costs. This helps ensure the people who create and record the music enjoyed by all are fairly compensated for its use. What if a practice doesn’t have a licence? Playing copyright-protected music in a dental practice without permission may constitute copyright infringement and can expose a business to legal action, damages and associated costs. Are there alternatives? Practices can choose to play original commissioned music or music for which they have secured all necessary permissions directly from rights holders. However, for most dental practices, a OneMusic licence is the simplest and most practical way to obtain permission to use copyrightprotected music. u To learn more about music licensing for dental practices, visit OneMusic Australia at onemusic.com.au, or OneMusic New Zealand at onemusicnz.com Music licensing 101 for dental practices amalgadent.com.au SCIENCE & DENTISTRY. BONDED. Join us at Booth #121 Buy 2 get 1 free of the same product and shade Valid to 31/12/2026
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