Most countries have a Performing Rights Organisation that manages the usage of music played to the public in that country.
When music is played in public the owner of the copyright is entitled, by law, to payment from the music user. The Performing Rights Society is an organisation that collects and distributes this money (known as 'royalties') to its members - the owner of the copyright (usually the composer or their publisher).
A PRS license is required in the UK for the live performance or public playing of copyright music by any means - this includes CDs, Video, Radio, TV, Music-on-Hold and Online.
In Germany, to play music publically a license is required from the German Performing Rights Organisation (PRO), GEMA. Fees are collected on behalf of any composer that is registered with any PRO worldwide. Music played at tradeshows requires a license from GEMA, which is usually, but not always held by the event/show organisers.
Music licensed from a composer who is not registered with any Performing Rights Organisation does not require any PRO licensing to be performed in public. Examples of composers who are not registered with any PRO include The Beat Suite Symphonic Orchestra, and Phillip Plumridge.
Each product record specifies a composer's PRO affiliation under Track Information, see the image below:
If no PRO is specified, the composer is not registered with any performing rights organisation.
Licensing music to broadcast/play in public places can differ from country to country around the world depending on the PRO responsible for governing each specific territory. A list of worldwide Peforming Rights Organisations can be viewed here.
As the licensee, YOU are responsible to check if a PRO license is required for the performance in the country you intend to use the music in.
If the music is not being publically performed, a license from the relative performing rights organisation is not required.
