License / Permit / Service Description
- Professional MACP Music Copyright License application and music usage compliance coordination services for businesses in Malaysia. We assist with reviewing the type of music usage, identifying the relevant licensing category, preparing company and premises information, coordinating application documents, providing submission support, responding to additional information requests, and following up with MACP where applicable. Our service is suitable for restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, shopping centres, retail shops, supermarkets, gyms, fitness studios, salons, karaoke centres, entertainment venues, event organisers, exhibition operators, and other businesses that publicly perform or use copyrighted musical works. We also provide administrative and compliance support for licence renewals, business information updates, changes in music usage, additional outlets, and related copyright licensing matters. Licence coverage, tariffs, validity, and authorisation remain subject to MACP's applicable terms and the rights it administers.
Related Departments / Regulatory Bodies
- Music Authors' Copyright Protection (Berhad) (MACP)
- Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO)
- Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), where applicable
- Public Performance Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PPM), where applicable
- Recording Performers Malaysia Berhad (RPM), where applicable
- Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)
- Local Authority (PBT), where applicable
- Relevant entertainment licensing authority, where applicable
- Music copyright owners, publishers, and other authorised rights management organisations
- Event organisers, premises owners, or business operators responsible for public music usage
License Name ( Bahasa Malayu )
- Permohonan Lesen Hak Cipta Muzik MACP
Application Scenarios & Business Necessity
- A restaurant or café plays copyrighted background music through speakers for customers during business hours.
- A hotel uses recorded or live music in its lobby, restaurant, lounge, ballroom, or other guest facilities.
- A retail shop, supermarket, shopping mall, or commercial outlet plays music to create an atmosphere for customers.
- A gym, fitness studio, dance studio, or wellness centre uses copyrighted music during exercise classes or daily operations.
- A salon, spa, beauty centre, or barbershop plays music for customers while providing services.
- A bar, pub, lounge, nightclub, or entertainment venue uses recorded music, DJ performances, or live musical performances.
- A karaoke centre or family entertainment business requires permission for the relevant use of copyrighted musical works.
- An event organiser uses copyrighted music for weddings, corporate dinners, exhibitions, concerts, carnivals, or promotional events.
- A business uses copyrighted musical works for online streaming, digital content, websites, or other online services requiring appropriate licensing.
- A company operates multiple branches and needs to determine the appropriate licensing arrangements for each location.
- A business changes its music usage from background music to featured music, live performances, or entertainment activities.
- An existing MACP licensee requires licence renewal, amendments, updated premises information, or clarification of its licensed music usage.
Important Rules & Compliance Standards
- Businesses must obtain appropriate authorisation before publicly performing or otherwise using copyrighted musical works where permission is required.
- MACP licensing concerns the musical works and rights administered on behalf of its represented songwriters, composers, and music publishers.
- The applicant must identify the correct licensing category based on the nature of the business, premises, event, broadcast, or online music usage.
- All company details, premises information, music usage declarations, and supporting documents must be accurate, complete, and up to date.
- MACP offers different licensing arrangements for ongoing business premises, one-off events, online usage, and broadcasting activities.
- Licence fees depend on the applicable MACP tariff, business category, type of music usage, and relevant premises or event information.
- An annual premises licence does not automatically authorise every type of music usage, separate event, additional outlet, or online activity.
- A personal subscription to Spotify, YouTube Music, Astro, or another music service does not automatically provide commercial public performance rights.
- A MACP licence does not automatically replace licences administered by PPM, RPM, or other relevant copyright rights holders.
- Businesses must comply with the Copyright Act 1987 (Act 332) and applicable copyright licensing agreements.
- Licence holders must comply with the approved licence period, usage category, payment requirements, and applicable terms.
- Changes to premises, business activities, music usage, operating arrangements, or additional branches may require a licence review or amendment.
- Businesses must obtain separate entertainment licences, event permits, or local authority approvals where required.
- Copyrighted music must not be reproduced, distributed, synchronised with audiovisual content, or used online beyond the rights authorised by the applicable licence.
- Businesses must maintain relevant licensing records, invoices, payment confirmations, and supporting documents for compliance purposes.
- Application submission or payment of a consultancy fee does not guarantee licence issuance or authorisation for music usage outside the approved scope.
Compound & Legal Penalties
- Copyright infringement claims or legal action may arise where copyrighted musical works are publicly performed or otherwise used without the necessary authorisation.
- A business may be required to obtain the appropriate licence, cease unauthorised music usage, or resolve outstanding copyright licensing matters.
- Copyright owners may pursue civil remedies, including injunctions and damages, where infringement is established under applicable law.
- Criminal penalties may apply to particular copyright offences where the relevant statutory elements are satisfied; not every licensing dispute automatically constitutes a criminal offence.
- Inaccurate declarations concerning premises, music usage, capacity, or other tariff-related information may result in reassessment or additional licence charges.
- MACP's published tariff terms allow a contractual penalty of up to twice the applicable tariff where false or inaccurate information results in underpayment of licence fees, subject to the relevant terms.
- Failure to renew or maintain a required licence may leave subsequent music usage without the necessary authorisation.
- Separate licensing disputes or enforcement matters may arise in relation to sound recording rights, performers' rights, or other rights not covered by MACP.
- Non-compliance with local authority entertainment permits or event requirements may result in separate action by the relevant authority.
- Businesses may face financial liability, legal expenses, operational disruption, or reputational consequences arising from unresolved copyright infringement matters.
Frequently Asked Question
A MACP Music Copyright License is an authorisation for specified uses of musical works administered by Music Authors' Copyright Protection (Berhad) on behalf of the songwriters, composers, and music publishers it represents.
Restaurants, cafés, hotels, retail shops, shopping malls, gyms, salons, entertainment outlets, event organisers, and other businesses using copyrighted musical works in public or commercial settings may need the appropriate MACP licence.
No. MACP represents rights relating to musical works, while PPM represents eligible sound recording owners and RPM represents recording performers. Separate licensing may be required depending on the rights involved.
A personal subscription does not automatically grant commercial public performance rights. Businesses should assess the applicable MACP licensing requirements and any additional platform restrictions.
Requirements may include SSM registration details, business and premises information, applicant contact details, the type of music usage, premises area or capacity, event information, and other documents requested for the applicable licence category.
The fee depends on the relevant tariff, business category, type of music usage, premises characteristics, and event arrangements. MACP publishes licensing tariffs, which should be checked for the applicable period before a quotation is issued.
MACP provides licensing categories covering relevant live and recorded music usage. However, the specific licence must match the intended activity, and additional rights or licences may be required.
A one-off event using copyrighted musical works may require an event-specific licence. The requirement depends on the event, music usage, rights involved, and applicable licensing conditions.
Yes. Businesses can seek renewal or review of their licensing arrangements when the licence expires or relevant information changes, including premises details, business activities, music usage, or additional outlets.
Yes. Conzlab can assist with music usage assessment, licence category review, document preparation, application coordination, submission support, and follow-up with MACP. Licence coverage and authorisation remain subject to MACP's terms and applicable rights.
Jeffrey Eh Hao Yih , Director
Jeffrey has been providing expert guidance for businesses dealing with ongoing challenges. With his expertise, he aids clients in strategic business planning, streamlining operations, and enhancing productivity. Additionally, Jeffrey offers diverse business technology services to help digitize traditional businesses effectively.