If your use of music is consistent with the Terms and Conditions of the Rockbot Subscriber Agreement, Rockbot covers all licensing fees. We will help you understand what's happening.
ASCAP, BMI, SESAC GMR often use commissioned representatives to help them enforce their legal rights to obtain income from the performance of music in commercial establishments. Unfortunately, some of these representatives occasionally make inaccurate legal statements regarding your need for an additional license. Here are some guidelines to help:
- Rest assured that you are covered for all the music provided by Rockbot for provided you’re adhering to the limitations in our Subscriber Terms. Simply identify yourself to the Performing Rights Organization (PRO) rep as a Rockbot customer and provide the dates of your Rockbot subscription. If the representative asks for verification, contact Rockbot customer service here and we’ll send you a Statement of Coverage Certificate showing your dates of service to provide to the representative.
- If Rockbot is not the sole source of music in your facility, you’ll need to work with ASCAP, BMI or SESAC to obtain a direct license for your other music uses. If your letter is in regards to uses outside of the scope of the Rockbot coverage please email us and we can provide some recommendations on what to do and legal resources.
What are the common scenarios that put a commercial establishment outside of the scope of the coverage available from Rockbot, requiring you to obtain a direct license from ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or GMR?
- One common scenario is that your facility is offering music or other audio via cable TV or other TV sources during general business hours.
- Instructed fitness classes which are coordinated to music or various dance activities (Zumba, ballet, etc). Rockbot does not offer licenses for music for these activities.
- You have events - even if rarely - where a live band or DJ is performing music in your facility.
- Your trainers or customers utilize music from another source like a CD, or a consumer music service like Spotify or Pandora. This is perhaps the most common licensing violation.