Music Users - FAQ

If your business plays recorded music or music videos in public – including radio or TV – you will almost certainly be legally required to have a JAMMS licence. JAMMS represents the owners of the copyright in the sound recordings (Producers/Labels) and also the owners of the rights in performances on the recordings (Performers).

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help explain more about when a JAMMS licence is (and is not) required, the applicable legal requirements, how our licensing works, how to get licensed, what your invoice means, and more. Take a look through the sections below – if you cannot find the answers you are looking for, please contact us using the form at the bottom of this page.

Buying a CD or download only allows you to use it for domestic purposes, such as listening to it at home or in your car for private enjoyment. If however you play a CD or download (or other forms of recorded music) in public, then in almost all cases a JAMMS licence will be legally required. ‘Playing recorded music in public’ has a wide legal meaning – you can read more about the law relating to playing recorded music in public in the other FAQs below.

A JAMMS licence is required when recorded music, including radio and TV, is played in public. Any playing of music outside of a domestic setting constitutes a ‘public performance’. Playing recorded music in the workplace, public events, at commercial establishments constitutes ‘public performance’ and would therefore require a JAMMS permit/licence.

JAMMS and JACAP are two separate independent companies and in most instances a licence is required from both organisations for you to legally play recorded music in public. While both organisations licence the use of music and collect royalties for the music industry, each represents different rights holders and have separate licences, terms and conditions.

JAMMS collects and distributes money for the use of recorded music on behalf of record labels/Producers and Performers. JACAP collects and distributes money for the use of the musical composition and lyrics on behalf of authors, songwriters, composers and publishers

If JAMMS did not exist, a business playing recorded music at its premises would be required to contact potentially thousands of record producers/labels to individually obtain their permission before being able to play recorded music lawfully. Research has shown that customers spend more time and money in businesses that play music; staff are more motivated and less likely to be off work; and that people are more likely to recommend and revisit a business that plays good music.

Permits- are issued for one off events and or series of events where background music or specially featured entertainment will be used.

Licences- are issued to establishments that use music on an ongoing basis and which will be covered for a period of six months or longer. See a copy of the JAMMS tariff for events and businesses here

License fee paid to JAMMS, which is a national Copyright Licnesing Body, are paid out as royalties to the local and international music rights owners that it represents.

If you play recorded music in a radio or online broadcast, you will in almost all cases need a JAMMS licence.

The owners of the copyright in recorded music own the rights exclusively and this means their permission is needed before music can be broadcast or played publicly. Since JAMMS functions as a national Copyright Licensing Body on behalf of Producers/Labels a license is needed from JAMMS by radio and tv broadcasters.

The permission of the copyright holder/s of recorded music is required by law before it can be played and a JAMMS licence gives you this permission, allowing you to play virtually all recorded music readily available in Jamaica simply, quickly and legally.

As a broadcaster you would have to obtain permission from potentially thousands of record labels/producers before being able to play the recorded music – a JAMMS licence gives you this permission and allows you to play virtually all recorded music readily available in the Jamaica quickly and legally. JAMMS then passes these license fees, less its administrative costs,, onto the rights holders, similar to royalties.

JAMMS licenses radio stations in Jamaica to play recorded music, on a variety of different platforms including AM/FM, DAB, satellite and online.
Licensed radio services include the RJR Group Stations, Zip fm, IRIE FM, KOOL 97FM and even newer stations such as Riddim FM, FYAH 105, and Relegious centric statiosnsuch as LOVE FM, TBC Radio and Gospel JA.

JAMMS also license online radio services streaming in the Jamaica.

A JAMMS TV broadcasting licence allows you to have blanket access to a vast catalog of local and international recorded music, owned/controlled by our members, affiliates, and the international ‘Majors’ and administered by JAMMS through direct agreements and mandates. Without the JAMMS Neighboring Rights Licenses the broadcast of recorded music is illegal.