In short
SOMEXFON is the collecting society for phonogram producers, meaning the record labels. If recordings from its catalog play in your business, the law does give them the right to collect (articles 131 bis and 133 of the LFDA), so paying isn't optional. If you don't use its music, SOMEXFON itself says you don't have to pay. And SOMEXFON can't fine you: fines are imposed by IMPI after a formal proceeding, and they can be very steep.
Many businesses already know SACM, but they're caught off guard when a second bill shows up under another name: SOMEXFON. The questions are always the same: What is it? Is it mandatory? Can it fine me? Let's take it one step at a time, with the law and the sources in hand.
What is SOMEXFON?
SOMEXFON is the Mexican Society of Producers of Phonograms, Videograms and Multimedia. On its official website it describes itself as a collecting society that collects royalties nationwide for the public use of recorded music from the catalog it represents. Put simply: it represents the record labels, which own the recordings (the masters).
A collecting society is a nonprofit organization that needs prior authorization from INDAUTOR to operate (articles 192 and 193 of Mexico's Federal Copyright Law). It is not a government authority: it collects on behalf of its members.
SOMEXFONcollects for the recording (the master)
SACMcollects for the song (songwriters and composers)Don't confuse it with SACM, which collects on behalf of songwriters and composers. The same song can trigger both fees; we break it down in SACM vs SOMEXFON: what each one charges and why.
Is SOMEXFON mandatory?
It all comes down to one question: does your business play recorded music from the labels SOMEXFON represents?
You use its catalog
The law gives phonogram producers the right to authorize the public performance of their recordings (art. 131) and to be paid when they're used for direct or indirect profit (art. 131 bis). If you use them, you have to pay.
You don't use its catalog
SOMEXFON says so itself in its FAQ: if your establishment doesn't use music from the labels it represents, you don't need to pay it.
Article 133 of the LFDA adds an important nuance: once a recording has been lawfully released, neither the artists nor the producers can object to its public performance, as long as whoever uses it for profit pays. Absent an agreement, that payment is split equally between artists and producers. In other words, the law doesn't forbid you from playing the music: it requires you to pay for it.
The medium doesn't matter either. SOMEXFON states that payment applies no matter how you play the music, and that paid streaming apps are for personal use. It's the same point we make in Can I use Spotify or YouTube in my business?
Can SOMEXFON fine you?
Not directly. SOMEXFON is a private society, not a government authority. What it can do, according to its FAQ, is take legal action if a business refuses to pay and keeps using its music, although it says it first seeks a commercial settlement.
Fines are issued by IMPI (the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property). Publicly performing protected phonograms for profit without the rights holders' authorization is a commercial infringement (article 231, section III, of the LFDA). IMPI punishes it with a fine of 5,000 to 40,000 days of minimum wage (article 232); at the 2025 minimum wage, Expansión put that range at MX$1.39 million to MX$11.15 million. The law also lets IMPI order inspection visits and precautionary measures (article 234).
IMPI can inspect on its own initiative or at someone's request. By late August 2025 it had carried out 2,084 inspections: 1,200 on its own initiative and 884 at a party's request (El Universal). IMPI itself explained that it carries them out under its current collaboration agreements with the collecting societies.
If someone shows up to collect on behalf of SOMEXFON, here's what to do:
- Ask for ID and know who's who. A collections agent is not an inspector. IMPI clarified in a statement that its inspectors must identify themselves with an Institute badge and never ask for payment.
- Ask which recordings from its catalog you're using. SOMEXFON's website links to a search tool for its catalog.
- Ask for the rate in writing for your type of business and size, and compare it with its published rate schedule.
- If you pay, ask for an invoice. SOMEXFON states in its legal section that it issues tax-compliant invoices so the cost is deductible.
How much does SOMEXFON charge in 2026?
Unlike SACM, which charges monthly in UDA, SOMEXFON's rate schedule lists annual fees plus VAT, effective February 20, 2026. Some examples:
| Type of business | Condition | Annual fee + VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Boutiques (clothing, shoe stores, sporting goods and similar) | Under 40 m² | $9,291 |
| Boutiques | Over 40 m² | $13,850 |
| Coffee shop (snacks only, no alcohol) | Flat rate | $7,273 |
| Fondas, rotisseries, taco shops (no alcohol) | Flat rate | $7,273 |
| Restaurants, bars, cantinas and similar | 1 to 20 tables | $15,546 |
| Restaurants, bars, cantinas and similar | 21 to 40 tables | $22,826 |
| Restaurants, bars, cantinas and similar | 41 tables or more | $31,146 |
| Gyms and dance studios | 1 to 70 students | $10,346 |
| Gyms and dance studios | Over 70 students | $20,788 |
| Beauty salons and similar | Flat rate | $9,949 |
Source: SOMEXFON rate schedule (boutiques, food and beverage, sports, health and beauty), accessed October 2026. If your coffee shop or fonda serves alcohol, SOMEXFON quotes it as a restaurant.
The same rate schedule notes that these fees don't replace existing agreements and that the business types listed are examples, not an exhaustive list. Keep in mind: this is on top of whatever SACM charges for the songs (see How much does SACM charge a business?).
Is it an official rate?
The LFDA provides that royalty rates are proposed by INDAUTOR and published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, the DOF (article 212), and that a society that can't reach an agreement with users must propose a general rate to the Institute (article 203). SOMEXFON's rate schedule page makes no mention of publication in the DOF, and Xataka reported in October 2025 that there is no official rate table for these charges. The right to collect does exist; it's wise to get the amount in writing, review it and, if in doubt, consult a lawyer.
How can you legally stop paying SOMEXFON?
The only clean way is to make sure no recordings from its catalog play in your business. That means no radio, no streaming apps and no well-known commercial music, and instead playing music whose recordings belong to another owner who gives you a written license. (For penalties in general, read How much is the fine for playing music in my business without a license?)
At GeoVENN the music is original: we create it ourselves, it isn't registered with SACM or SOMEXFON, and GeoVENN controls 100% of its rights. Every location gets a written license letter, ready to show during an inspection. An honest note: the letter covers GeoVENN music; if you also play radio, Spotify, or well-known commercial music, that isn't covered. See how our Legal Shield works and check out our per-location plans.
Original music with a license letter for every location, outside the SOMEXFON and SACM repertoires. Try it free for 21 days at 2 locations.
Frequently asked questions
What is SOMEXFON?
It's the Mexican Society of Producers of Phonograms, Videograms and Multimedia: the collecting society that collects royalties nationwide for the public use of recorded music from the record labels it represents. It is not a government authority.
Is SOMEXFON mandatory?
If recordings from its catalog play in your business, yes: Mexico's Federal Copyright Law gives phonogram producers the right to be paid when their music is used for profit (articles 131 bis and 133). If you don't use music from the labels it represents, SOMEXFON itself says you don't need to pay it.
Can SOMEXFON fine me?
Not directly. SOMEXFON can take legal action, but fines are imposed by IMPI: 5,000 to 40,000 days of minimum wage for publicly performing recordings for profit without authorization, which at the 2025 minimum wage comes to between MX$1.39 million and MX$11.15 million, according to Expansión's calculation.
How much does SOMEXFON charge a business?
It publishes annual fees plus VAT, effective February 20, 2026. For example: MX$9,291 for a boutique under 40 m², MX$7,273 for a coffee shop with no alcohol and MX$15,546 for a restaurant or bar with 1 to 20 tables. Check its rate schedule for your type of business.
If I already pay SACM, do I also have to pay SOMEXFON?
If you play commercially recorded music, usually yes: SACM collects for the songwriters and SOMEXFON for the recording. SACM's rate schedule makes clear that its license doesn't cover neighboring rights or masters.
Sources
- SOMEXFON — Official website
- SOMEXFON — Frequently asked questions
- SOMEXFON — Legal
- SOMEXFON — Rate schedule (effective February 20, 2026)
- Mexican Chamber of Deputies — Mexico's Federal Copyright Law (arts. 131, 131 bis, 133, 192, 193, 203, 212, 231, 232 and 234)
- Expansión — Fines of up to 11 million pesos: the risk of playing music in your business without paying royalties (Dec. 19, 2025)
- El Universal — Businesses could be left unable to play music in their stores (Sep. 22, 2025)
- Quadratín — IMPI denies extortion of Ciudad Juárez business owners (Sep. 19, 2025)
- Xataka México — Trying to charge bars and restaurants for playing music in Mexico (Oct. 8, 2025)
- IMPI — Mexican Institute of Industrial Property
This article is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Fees vary by type of business, size, location, and year; before paying or signing anything, check the corresponding official rate schedule or consult a professional.
