FAQ

It refers to an original song or a piece of music be it in any format, i.e CD or digital format.

Public Performance is the playing of Recorded Music on premises where it can be heard or caused to be heard by members of the public. However, this does not include your home which is a domestic area by nature.

Any commercial or business premises out of your domestic area is considered public.

Public Performance for Sound Recording licence is required when you play Recorded Music in your business premises and public area.

Please be informed that the Public Entertainment licence is issued by the Singapore Police Force, Licensing Division. Their licence allows your establishment to operate as an entertainment outlet or to provide entertainment in your premise subject to the terms and conditions set by them.

If you play Recorded Music that belongs to the recording companies that we represent on your premises, you are obliged to take up this licence according to the Copyright Act 2021. Sound recording companies have a new right to collect licence fees for the broadcast or public performance of commercially published sound recordings. This fee may be collected by collective management organisations (CMO).

The licence you obtain from COMPASS is for the Public Performance of Musical and Lyrical works in a song or music. A song or music usually has several rights owned by different copyright owners tied into it, namely:

1. 1. The composer will compose the melody, of which the copyright may belong to the composer.
   2. The lyricist will compose the lyrics to the melody, of which the copyright may belong to the author, and lastly,
   3. the sound recording itself as a copyrighted song may belong to the producer or recording company in whichever format available, i.e CD or MP3 format, etc.

As such, even if you play 1 song in public, separate licences would be required from the different copyright owners.

Public performance licences must be obtained before playing copyrighted music in public. Existing business owners that wish to add public performance rights, should contact MRSS to obtain one.

The usage of recorded music is strictly voluntary and not compulsory. However, if recorded music is being played publicly on your premises, you are obliged to apply for this licence with MRSS.

Yes. You still need to apply for this licence from MRSS even if you do own the CD, USB Device, or from your subscribed digital music provider. All of the above is for your domestic usage only.

However, if you have downloaded the songs from the original CD, internet, or your music library to a multi-storage device (i.e CD, USB Device, Server, phone, pc or laptop, etc), you would need to apply for the Reproduction of Sound Recording licence from MRSS.

If you are playing background music through the radio on your premises, you do not need to take up this licence.

No. Where the sound recording is performed by students or staff of a school, in the course of that institution’s activities, to an audience limited to those directly connected with that institution.
Other exemptions:

1. Playing of Recorded Music not represented by MRSS,
2. Music for which copyright has expired (70 years from publication) and,
3. Using royalty-free music.

Yes. If there is Recorded Music being played as background music before, in-between, or after your event. This Public Performance for Sound Recording licence is required.

You can do so by following the below steps: –

1. You can download the application form from our website www.mrss.com.sg
2. Please complete the application and email back to licensing@mrss.com.sg
3. Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to call us at Tel: 6475 1181

The below are the modes of payment: –

1. PayNow (UEN: 201824573H)

2. Scan the following QR code for payment:

3. Internet Bank Transfer details:
Music Rights (Singapore) Public Limited
Account Number: 052-538832-002
Branch Address 21 Collyer Quay, HSBC Building Level 1, S049320
Bank code: 7232
Swift Code; HSBCSGSG

4. Cheque payment, please payable to Music Rights (Singapore) Public Limited or MRSS Public Limited and mail it to 4 Leng Kee Road #03-06/07 Sis Building Singapore 159088
(Please write your invoice number, company name, and invoice amount on the back of the cheque.)

Once your payment is completed, please include your Ref No. and email the proof of payment to finance@mrss.com.sg

You may visit our website for more information.

You would need to apply this licence for each location which can be billed under 1 account.

Businesses can apply for the license, as:
a) An individual license for a single business establishment or
b) A bundle licensing deal for business retailers for more than 1 location.

You would still need to obtain the Public Performance of Sound Recording licence.

For the music supplier, they reproduce and store digital copies of the recorded music and as such would need to take up the Reproduction of Sound Recording licence from MRSS for him to render his services to you.

You may visit our list of the music service supplier for further information on our website.

Any person or establishment who is responsible for unauthorized Public Performance of Sound Recording belonging to the record companies that MRSS represents will be violating and infringing copyrights. Apart from civil liability, the infringer may also be prosecuted for statutory offences under the Copyright Act 2021.

Your license fee goes back to the music labels and artists as royalties. MRSS is authorised by the Recording Companies (see the list on our website) to collect the fees on their behalf which would be distributed back to them as royalties.

It is valid as long as your ACRA company name remains the same and there is no change to your nature of business. However, we would have to re-access your new location and update your account, if applicable.

Yes, as long as your ACRA company name remains the same and there is no change to your nature of business. However, we would have to re-access your new location and update your account, if applicable.

As long as there is a difference from your original licence application, we would need to re-access your premise and update accordingly.

We will re-access your premise and pro-rate your licence fee, if applicable.

If you wish to update information for your account, you may contact the officer in charge or email us at licensing@mrss.com.sg or call us at +65 6475 1181 for any changes in your business operation.

If you wish to cancel / terminate your account, please provide us with an official cancellation letter or email together with the supporting documents.

It is a licence which grants permission to any person or the operator of the licensed establishment to show in public karaoke and/or music videos, the copyright in which is owned by or exclusively licensed to the record companies represented by Music Rights (Singapore) Public Limited (MRSS).

Any person or establishment using the record companies’ licensed videos to provide:
• karaoke entertainment;
• music videos as featured entertainment; or,
• music videos as background entertainment
to the public, or a section of the public, should apply for a Public Performance Licence.

Purchasing a video/laser disc/VCD/DVD of a licensed video only permits its use at home, and does not give the purchaser any right to play that video/laser disc/VCD/DVD in public.
Under Singapore copyright law, playing a video in public requires the consent of the copyright owner, hence a further public performance licence is needed before a karaoke and music videos may be played in public premises (such as those places as listed). Failure to apply for a licence in advance of any public performance of karaoke and/or music videos is a violation of the Copyright Act.

Applications for such licences should be made through MRSS. Application forms can be obtained through our website or you can contact our Licensing Department at +65 6475 1181. A licence will be granted to the applicant subject to the terms and conditions stated in the application form; and, payment of the appropriate fee.

The licence fee payable will depend on the type of outlet and its seating capacity. Fees for ad-hoc licences will depend on the type and duration of the event. Please refer to MRSS’ tariff schedule for details of the fees payable.

Licence fees collected are distributed among the respective copyright owners.

MRSS (Music Rights (Singapore) Public Limited) is authorised by the record companies that it represents to administer their rights; and, to grant the requisite licences.

Any person or establishment who shows a video in public but does not have a public performance licence will infringe the copyright therein, and apart from civil liability, the infringer may also be prosecuted for a criminal offence under Section 136(6) of the Copyright Act, which upon conviction, may attract a fine of up to S$ 20,000.00; or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years; or, to both for each offence committed.

COMPASS represents the copyright interest of composers, authors and publishers of musical works and their lyrics.
MRSS grants licences for public performance of karaoke and/or music videos owned or controlled by the record companies that MRSS represents. The rights licensed by MRSS and COMPASS are therefore different, and you will still need a MRSS licence to use karaoke and/or music videos licensed by MRSS, even if you have obtained a COMPASS licence.

A Public Entertainment Licence is required when you offer any entertainment activity in public. Such a licence is obtained from the Public Entertainment Licensing Unit of the Singapore Police Force.

If you provide karaoke and/or music videos facilities in your establishment and use videos licensed by MRSS, you are also required to obtain a Public Performance of Karaoke and/or Music Videos Licence from MRSS to avoid infringing the Copyright Act.

Licence fees must be paid in full and in advance within fourteen (14) days from the date of our notification. Annual renewal of licence fees must be paid before the start of the calendar year.

If you, either as an individual, or as a registered entity such as a company, have in possession and/or intend to reproduce cinematographic films either owned or exclusively licensed to the record companies represented by MRSS, you will need to be authorised or licensed in order to do so, which is granted through the licence issued by MRSS.

The obtaining of this licence from MRSS allows you to lawfully reproduce cinematographic films belonging to the record companies represented by MRSS.
All individuals and/or establishments that are in possession of or intend to reproduce cinematographic films either owned or exclusively licensed to the record companies represented by MRSS must apply for a Reproduction of Cinematographic Films Licence from MRSS.

Section 15 of Singapore’s Copyright Act defines reproduction as follows:

“15.-(1)…reproduction, in the case of a…musical work, includes a reproduction…of…cinematograph film of the work, and…any copy of such a film shall be deemed to be a reproduction of the work”; and

“(1B)…a…dramatic, musical or artistic work, including a reproduction of such work in the form of a…cinematographic film, is reproduced if it is converted into or from a digital or other electronic machine-readable form, and any article embodying the work or reproduction of the work in such a form is taken to be a reproduction of the work.”

Under Singapore copyright law, reproducing such cinematographic films requires the consent of the copyright owner. Hence a further licence is required from MRSS to reproduce the said cinematographic films.

Any person or establishment who reproduces, without licence, cinematographic films belonging to the record companies that MRSS represents will be violating and infringing copyrights. Quite apart from civil liability, the infringer may also be prosecuted for statutory offences under section 136 of the Copyright Act, and upon conviction, may be fined up to $20,000.00 for each infringement; or be subject to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years for each infringement.

MRSS is authorised by the record companies that it represents to administer their rights and to grant the relevant licenses.

The record companies that MRSS presently represents are as follows:

1. Amusic Creative Team Pte Ltd

2. Banshee Empire Pte Ltd

3. Brocita Enterprise Pte Ltd

4. Cross Ratio Entertainment Pte Ltd

5. Digital Music Production Pte Ltd

6. Divo Digital Media Pte Ltd

7. EQ Music & Media Pte Ltd

8. Evolution Singapore Pte Ltd

9. Forward Music (S) Pte Ltd

10. Funkie Monkies Productions Pte Ltd

11. HIM International Music Pte Ltd

12. Hype Records Private Limited

13. KRU Singapore Pte Ltd

14. Life Record Industries (Pte) Ltd

15. Naga Guitar Studio Pte Ltd

16. Ocean Butterflies Music Pte Ltd

17. Rock Records (S) Pte Ltd

18. Sony Music Entertainment Singapore (Pte) Ltd

19. Suwah Records Pte Ltd
20. Universal Music Pte Ltd

21. Warner Music Singapore Pte Ltd

22. White Cloud Record Pte Ltd

23. Wise Entertainment Pte Ltd

Applications for such licences should be made through MRSS. Application forms can be obtained through our website; or you can contact our licensing department as follows:

Music Rights (Singapore) Public Limited
4 Leng Kee Road #03-06/07
SiS Building Singapore 159088
Tel no: 6475 1181
Fax no: 6475 1310

A licence will be granted to the applicant subject to payment of the appropriate fee and the terms and conditions stated in the application form.

The licence fee payable depends on what the purpose of the reproduction is for. For instance, if it is your company reproducing cinematographic films belonging to the record companies that MRSS represents, it would depend on the type of outlet and its seating capacity. Please refer to MRSS’s tariff schedule for details of the fees payable.

If you or your organisation own or manage more than one outlet or establishment, all of which reproduce cinematographic films belonging to the record companies that MRSS represents, you will require a license from MRSS for each and every outlet or establishment. In other words, the license that you obtain from MRSS is venue specific to only the outlet or establishment that the license is applied for.

MRSS only issues licences and enforces copyrights on behalf of the record companies that it represents. It is neither a supplier or distributor of cinematographic films belonging to the record companies that it represents.

Many commercial establishments are using computerised or other storage systems to reproduce cinematographic films for on-demand retrieval and other applications. Such reproduction requires the consent and or license of the copyright owners.

As such, if a copy of cinematographic film belonging to any of the record companies that MRSS represents is contained in your computerised or other storage system, including your karaoke-on-demand system, a license must be obtained from MRSS to ensure compliance with copyright laws. MRSS has been authorised by the record companies that it represents to license the reproduction of cinematographic films in any medium in Singapore, including computerised, karaoke-on-demand and/or other storage systems.

Under the terms of the licence issued by MRSS, it has the right to inspect your premises, computer, storage systems and back-up databases.

The licence is not transferable.

If the licence is terminated, whether voluntarily by your or your company in the event of business cessation or other reasons, or by MRSS for breach of the licence agreement, all cinematographic films belonging to the record companies that MRSS represents must be removed by you or your company from the computer, other storage systems, back-up databases and/or other mediums in which the cinematographic films are contained, and notice of that removal must be provided to MRSS. In the event that such notice is not provided, or MRSS finds that you or your company are still in possession of the said cinematographic films, the appropriate action under the Copyright Act will be taken.

Many commercial establishments are using computerised or other storage systems to reproduce sound recordings for on-demand retrieval and other applications. Such reproduction requires the consent of the relevant copyright owners.
As such, if a copy of a sound recording is made on such computerised or other storage systems, a Reproduction of Sound Recordings Licence must be obtained from MRSS to ensure compliance with copyright law. MRSS has been empowered by the record companies to license the reproduction of their sound recordings on such computerised or other storage systems.

Purchasing a vinyl record/tape/CD, only permits its use at home. Making a copy of that sound recording onto a computerised or other storage system requires the permission of the copyright owners.

If you have downloaded a sound recording legally, you are given a limited right to keep a copy of the downloaded sound recording for listening at home and in accordance with the terms of the licence accompanying the download. If you want to make further copies or use it for other purposes, then you are required to obtain the permission of the copyright owners.

All establishments that have reproduced sound recordings of record companies represented by MRSS onto computerised or other storage systems must apply for a Reproduction of Sound Recordings Licence.

If the record companies represented by MRSS have issued claims against you in respect of any past unauthorised copying, please note that these claims are not affected by the grant of this licence to you.

Reproducing sound recordings belonging to the record companies represented by MRSS onto computerised or other storage systems without this licence is an infringement of the copyright in the sound recordings and can lead to legal action.

Failing to obtain a licence for reproduction of sound recordings is an infringement of copyright. Apart from civil liability, the infringer may also be prosecuted for a criminal offence under Section 136 of the Copyright Act, and upon conviction, may attract a fine or imprisonment or to both for each offence committed.

This licence allows you to copy and store sound recordings in their original form (i.e. the original vinyl record/tape/CD purchased from the shop) onto computers or other storage systems (including back-up databases). You are not allowed to edit or alter the sound recordings (including combining two or more sound recordings to create a new track).

DJs can create a mix from different sound recordings when they are performing. However, they are not allowed to record this mix onto computers or other storage systems.

Any individual freelance DJ who wants to reproduce digital copies of the sound recordings for the purpose of public performance at ad-hoc events several times a year (e.g. outdoor shows, Dinner & Dance events, etc) can obtain this licence if the copying takes place in Singapore.

The Reproduction of Sound Recordings Licence only covers the copying and storage of sound recordings on your computer or other storage systems (including back-up databases). To create karaoke records or copy such a record onto a computer or other storage systems, a licence for the Reproduction of Karaoke Videos and Cinematography Films unto Karaoke-on-Demand Systems is required together with a Public Performance Licence.

You will need to make sure that the digital copies (both on the computer or other storage system, and back-up database) are kept safe and secure. At the minimum, you should keep these systems safely secured when not in use; and, password-protected.

The annual licence fee has to be paid in full and in advance for each year that the licence fee remains in force. The licence will not come into effect unless the annual licence fee has been paid. For subsequent years, you will have to pay the annual licence fee upon receipt of our renewal notice.

Under the terms of the licence, MRSS has the right to inspect your computer, storage systems and back-up databases.

This licence is non-transferable.

When the licence is terminated, whether voluntarily by your company in the event of business cessation or other reasons, or by MRSS for breach of the licence agreement, all sound recordings must be removed from the computer, other storage systems and/or back-up databases. This means that all digital copies of the sound recordings must be erased from the hard disk unit of your system.