Other Licences

There are a range of licences required for: playing sound recordings at Sporting and Special Events; using sound recordings in Videography; and Copying and Reproducing recorded music in different ways.

Continue reading for more information. Please direct any remaining pātai to alisha.jackson@recordedmusic.co.nz

Sporting & Special Events

If you intend to use recorded music at a special event or sporting event, you need the permission of the owners of the music you use. You can obtain this permission by applying for a Special Events Licence or a Sporting Event Licence. As of November 2025 Special Event licences are administered on behalf of Recorded Music by OneMusic.

The licence fees below apply to both ticketed events and events that are invitation-only, with no admission fee. Download the info sheet for more information, or email alisha.jackson@recordedmusic.co.nz

Videography

OneMusic offers a limited and low-cost solution for businesses that incorporate music into films and videos for viewing by a domestic audience of weddings, birthdays and other similar events, where these video recordings are being made solely for the purpose of domestic viewing by clients.

Please be aware that there are specific restrictions to OneMusic’s Non-Broadcast Video Licence terms, as in most circumstances the synchronising and reproduction of sound recordings into film and video requires individual clearances directly with the owners of the recordings you wish to use.

Copying & Reproducing

Copying and reproducing music for commercial use requires the right licences. This applies whether you're supplying background music, creating playlists for business environments, or incorporating recordings into media productions. Some of this type of licensing is administered by OneMusic, some can be licensed by Recorded Music, while other types of reproduction (e.g. synchronisation) is customarily licensed directly by rights holders.

Background music suppliers

Background music suppliers provide music compilations to businesses, particularly in the hospitality and retail industries.

A Background Music Supplier Licence from OneMusic is available for anyone wanting to compile and supply music in this way. For more information, contact OneMusic

Businesses using music compilations supplied by a Background Music Supplier will almost always need to hold their own OneMusic licence to cover the public performance of the music supplied.

Click here to find out more about the music licences available through OneMusic.

Copying music to play in your business

While many businesses use background music supplied by a licensed Background Music Supplier, some choose to make their own copies of (or play) music from a digital music service or their own private digital or CD collection. Using digital music services, and copying, reproducing or recording music requires the permission of music creators.

A licence for copying or “dubbing” recordings for use as background music in business is administered by OneMusic. For more information on OneMusic and the OneMusic Digital Delivery Licence, please click here

Reproducing music for featured music use

Making copies of music for private and domestic use is provided for under the Copyright Act, with certain restrictions. However, when music is copied for the purpose of playing the copy in public in a featured way, a licence is required. This may include when copies are being made for back-up purposes, format shifting or as musical accompaniment for performances and rehearsals.