Do you have to pay a fee to listen to the radio in an office?

Question

Do you have to pay a fee to listen to the radio in an office?

Answer 1

No!

That really would be a rip off!

Answer 2

No...

What most people are talking about is payment not to the FCC or even the station but to the artists' music licensing companies like BMI and ASCAP. (every radio station has to pay to these organizations for use of the music that goes over the airwaves.. even talk radio stations..basically it's how the musician and others gets payed for the music they made.. and why pre-legit Napster,Bearshare and others are illegal for (since they don't pay)

Even though they word it in a weird way on their sites, mainly if you are playing it for say customers waiting (like in a elevator or waiting in a resterant) then you are supposed to pay.

If the local radio station is being played but for the entertainment of just the workers... It depends upon how big this "group" is... 500 listening to the same music ?!?!?!? then I think licensing comes into play

But in almost every case, just a few people sharing the radio.. no, no fees to anyone (except maybe a greedy boss using it as a way to make money off his employees)... Where I work at, no music , we'd all go crazy:-)

Answer 3

No. The licensing fees are taken care of by the station, whose sponsors pay big bucks for them to draw the largest amount of listeners to their ads. By hearing those ads, in essence, you are paying for the entertainment they have to cram in between the ads. If you were playing Cd's in the office on a really nice sound system and invited 10,000 screaming kids to dance around to it, then there might be an issue. Otherwise, keep listening...we'll be right back after a word from our sponsor! ;)

Answer 4

If you are listening to your radio by yourself, softly at your desk or through earbuds - no.

However, if you are "re-broadcasting to an audience" playing the radio thru the company intercom or otherwise making the content available to a larger "audience." Maybe.

Depends on whether you're in UK or US. I'm not sure about UK - it's possible. I think in the US you are technically liable for a small fee, but rarely enforced in an office situation. In a bar or retail shop - yes. In an office - i doubt it.

-a guy named duh

Answer 5

There is no longer a licence fee for radios (unlike Television)!

It was scrapped years ago.

However as in pubs or other such places where radio is "broadcast" to the public a fee may be payable to the musicians union or some such body, (not that many people probably do!)

So licence fee is out but strictly speaking you may owe some money somewhere else.

Answer 6

no

Answer 7

You will need a Television and Radio licence if you are receiving the BBC radio stations.

Answer 8

Not in the US.  Most radio stations are happy for the free publicity. Technically the FCC is supposed to charge businesses, but every retail job Ive ever had has blared the c**p and no one ever got in trouble.  The FCC has bigger issues than a boutique or some chick in a cubicle blaring the new fergie bullcrap.

Answer 9

if your establishment has more then 2 speakers you would have to pay a licencs fee / Royalty fee's.. Not owed to the station but to the FCC.

chances are unlikely that a small buisness would get "busted for this" but do becareful!