In short
There's no single figure. If copyrighted music plays in front of customers in your business without the proper permissions, you can be charged copyright royalties, which depending on your type of business, size and capacity range from a few thousand pesos a month to much more; and if there's a formal violation, the law sets fines that can be very steep. The simplest way to avoid it is to use music licensed for commercial use, outside the repertoires that trigger those fees and with written backing, like GeoVENN with its Legal Shield.
It's a story we hear more and more often. An inspector walks into the business, asks where the music playing is coming from and brings up something many business owners know nothing about: copyright royalties.
The surprise usually isn't just that the obligation exists, but learning that the amounts can add up to thousands of pesos a month, or even more in some cases. That's why it pays to understand what's really charged, when it applies and what your alternatives are to stay out of trouble.
Why am I being charged for playing music?
The logic behind the fee is fairly simple. When you play music for your customers, whether in a store, restaurant, gym or any other business open to the public, the law considers that you're using a work created by someone else as part of your business's experience.
That's why songwriters and composers keep certain rights over how their songs are used and can receive royalties when those works are performed publicly. In Mexico, these rights are usually managed by collecting societies such as SACM.
The copyrightof the songs that playThe confusion comes from the fact that many people believe paying for Spotify, YouTube Premium or any other service takes care of it. In reality, they're separate issues. The service that plays the music is one thing; the copyrights to the songs playing are another. (We cover it in depth in Can I use Spotify or YouTube in my business?)
Can this happen to any business?
In practice, yes. Any business open to the public that uses music as part of the customer experience can find itself dealing with this:
It also doesn't matter much how the music is played. It can come from any of these sources:
What matters is that the music is being used inside a commercial space open to customers.
So how much is the fine, really?
It's worth separating two concepts that often get mixed up:
License or recurring fee
What it is: royalties for playing copyrighted music in front of your customers.
What it depends on: type of business, size, capacity and the role music plays in your business.
Penalty for non-compliance
What it is: a fine when there's a formal violation.
What it depends on: what the law provides for each case.
On one hand, there's the license or recurring fee tied to copyright. Depending on the type, size and features of the establishment, the amounts reported by different businesses can range from a few thousand pesos a month to considerably more for large or high-capacity venues.
On the other hand, there are penalties for non-compliance. When there's a formal violation, the law sets fines that can reach very steep figures. Headlines about multimillion-peso amounts are common, although those cases usually involve extreme situations and not necessarily a small business.
What matters for a business owner is understanding that, whatever the exact amount, it's an expense that can show up unexpectedly and disrupt your operations.
How is the amount they want to charge me calculated?
There's no one-size-fits-all rate. The amounts usually depend on factors such as:
That's why two businesses on the same street can receive completely different quotes or rates. A small coffee shop doesn't necessarily face the same conditions as a bar, a gym or an entertainment venue.
Before accepting any charge or signing any document, it's smart to verify that the information actually matches your type of business and the features of your establishment.
What happens if I refuse to pay?
Ignoring the issue is rarely the best strategy. If you are in fact using copyrighted music without the necessary permissions, proceedings can be started that end up costlier and more draining than resolving the matter from the start.
That said, it doesn't mean you should automatically accept whatever amount you're shown. The smart move is to:
- Request all the information in writing.
- Verify who is collecting the fee.
- Make sure the rate actually fits your type of business.
The best position is always to know exactly what your obligations are before an awkward situation comes up.
Is there a way to avoid this problem?
Yes. The simplest way is to use music that was created and licensed specifically for commercial use and doesn't generate additional royalty fees for the establishment.
When music is designed from the start to play in businesses under that model, most of the copyright paperwork and complexity disappears. (We explain how it works in Royalty-free music for business: 2026 guide.)
How can I protect my business?
There are basically two paths:
Traditional commercial music
Keep the corresponding licenses and permits up to date. It's a perfectly valid option, though it means recurring costs and the ongoing responsibility of managing that paperwork.
Commercially licensed catalog
Music licensed specifically for commercial use that operates outside the repertoires that trigger these fees for businesses. It's already set up to play in establishments, with clear rules from day one.
At GeoVENN, this is the model we work with. We use music licensed for commercial use and back the legality of everything we play in writing. That way, our clients can focus on running and growing their business without worrying about licenses, surprise charges or doubts about the music playing in their spaces. Get the details in GeoVENN Legal Shield: SACM-free music, no fines.
We get your business sounding great and fine-proof: commercially licensed music with written backing. Try it free for 21 days at 2 locations.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the fine for playing unlicensed music in my business?
There's no single figure. On one hand there's the recurring license fee, which depending on your type of business, size and capacity ranges from a few thousand pesos a month to considerably more; on the other, penalties for a formal violation, for which the law sets fines that can be very steep.
Does paying for Spotify or YouTube Premium cover me?
No. The service that plays the music is one thing; the copyrights to the songs playing in front of your customers are another.
What do I do if someone shows up to collect royalties?
Don't ignore it, but don't accept just any amount either: ask for all the information in writing, verify who is collecting, and make sure the rate matches your type of business and your establishment.
How do I avoid being charged for the music in my business?
By using music created and licensed for commercial use, outside the repertoires that trigger those fees, with written backing. That's how GeoVENN works.
Sources
- SACM — Who needs to pay
- Expansión — The risk of playing music in your business without paying royalties
- El Universal — Businesses report royalty charges; IMPI clarifies the cap (in Spanish)
- INDAUTOR (Mexico's National Copyright Institute) — Official website
- Mexican Chamber of Deputies — Mexico's Federal Copyright Law
- SOMEXFON — Mexican Society of Phonogram Producers
This article is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Amounts vary by type of business, size and authority. For your specific situation, consult the official rate schedule or a professional.
