Coffee shops that open Spotify and YouTube Premium do they have to pay copyright?
A cup of coffee, gentle music and a relaxing space are familiar formulas at many cafes and restaurants today.
Many shop owners think that just by signing up for paid packages such as Spotify Premium, YouTube Premium or some online music platforms, they can freely play music for customers to listen to.
Talking to Dan Tri reporter, lawyer Nguyen Van Duy, Director of Hoang Duy and Associates Law Firm, said that paying a fee to a music listening platform does not mean that the business has the right to play public music.
The reason is that Premium packages on current music platforms are mainly issued for personal use, not licenses to play public music at business locations.
When a cafe, restaurant or business plays music for customers to listen to, this is no longer a normal personal music listening activity. This activity is considered the exploitation of musical works in a business environment, related to copyright and related rights.
In other words, the shop owner pays for a Premium account to use the music service according to the terms of the platform. This fee does not replace copyright obligations when using music to create space, attract customers or serve business activities.
Why is playing music in a coffee shop considered an activity with commercial elements?
According to lawyer Duy, music in cafes and restaurants not only serves the personal listening needs of the shop owner. Music is also a part of the service space, contributing to creating customer experience.
A coffee shop with pleasant background music that matches the style can retain customers longer, create a feeling of relaxation and contribute to the establishment's business. Therefore, using music at a business location is considered an act of using the work in commercial activities.
In this case, the facility owner needs to fulfill his obligations regarding copyright and related rights according to the law, instead of just relying on his personal music listening account.
How are copyright fees determined?
According to current regulations, from July 1, 2026, copyright usage fees for food and beverage service establishments are determined according to the fee schedule in Appendix II of Decree 17/2023/ND-CP, which has been amended and supplemented by Decree 134/2026/ND-CP. This fee is based on the area or capacity of the facility.
This means that cafes, restaurants, food service and beverage establishments when using music for business activities need to consider the scale of the establishment to determine appropriate copyright obligations.
In fact, many coffee shops have been reminded and guided by authorities or copyright representatives to fulfill this obligation.
What should shop owners do to avoid legal risks?
The lawyer recommends that cafe and restaurant owners should not assume that paying for Spotify Premium, YouTube Premium or paid music platforms means having the right to play public music.
To ensure compliance with the law, facility owners should contact an organization representing collective copyrights, such as the Vietnam Music Copyright Protection Center, for guidance and to carry out appropriate licensing procedures.
In addition, shop owners also need to avoid using music from sources whose exploitation rights are unknown, pirated music downloads or unofficial platforms. Using music legally not only helps limit the risk of infringement, but also shows respect for the author, performing artist and related rights holders.
Can I play Premium music at the shop?
Playing music from paid platforms can help shop owners use quality music sources and limit risks from unofficial sources. However, this does not mean that the business has fulfilled its copyright obligations regarding public music broadcasting.
According to lawyer Duy, shop owners should clearly understand the difference between personal music listening rights and the right to use music in business. Paying for a music listening platform is one thing, but copyright obligations when playing music to customers at the shop is another legal issue.
Understanding and properly implementing regulations not only helps cafes and restaurants avoid unnecessary risks, but also contributes to building a civilized business environment, respecting intellectual property rights.