Music Licence for Businesses in Costa Rica: The Basics
Which licence your venue needs to play music, who issues it and what the law says, in plain terms.
If you run a restaurant, a hotel or a shop in Costa Rica, sooner or later the question comes up: do I have to pay for the music playing in my venue? The short answer is yes. This guide explains why and to whom, using Costa Rica's rules rather than those of the United States or Spain.
What the law says
The Copyright and Related Rights Law (No. 6683) gives authors the right to authorise each use of their works, including public communication. When a song plays in a venue open to the public as part of a commercial activity, it stops being private use. That is why a personal streaming subscription, the radio or a TV left on do not settle the matter on their own.
Who is who: ACAM, FONOTICA and AIE
| Body | Who it represents | Right it manages |
|---|---|---|
| ACAM | Composers and songwriters | Authors' right for public communication |
| FONOTICA | Record producers (owners of the recordings) | Producers' related rights |
| AIE Costa Rica | Performers | Performers' related rights |
In practice a commercial venue deals with one window: FONOTICA, with AIE's backing, has mandated ACAM to license and collect related rights in commercial premises as well.
How to get it
- Have your venue details ready. Type of business and size; ACAM uses these to define what applies to you.
- Apply to ACAM. There is an online application form, and offices in San José, Liberia and Jacó.
- Pay on the agreed schedule. Payment is usually monthly or quarterly.
- Keep the receipt. You may be asked for it in other business paperwork, such as the municipal licence (patente).
What happens without it
ACAM describes it as being in an unlawful situation: using music without authorisation exposes the business to collection claims and legal proceedings, and can complicate other paperwork for the venue.
Where Radio Creator fits
The venue's licence and the source of the music are two different things. Even with the ACAM licence up to date, a personal streaming account is still not for commercial use: see is it legal to play Spotify in a business in Costa Rica?
Radio Creator is a Costa Rican company operating as a business music provider licensed by FONOTICA for its service. We supply music scheduled by time and by zone, built for commercial use; each business arranges its own public communication licence with ACAM, and we point you in the right direction. See the service at music for business in Costa Rica.
Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to pay ACAM to play music in my business?
Yes. Law 6683 treats music played in a venue open to the public as public communication, and ACAM issues the licence that authorises it.
Do I have to pay FONOTICA and AIE separately?
Not for commercial premises. FONOTICA, with AIE's backing, has mandated ACAM to license and collect related rights in commercial venues, so it is handled through one window.
If I pay for Spotify Premium, am I covered?
No. A Spotify subscription is for personal, private use and does not authorise public communication in a commercial venue.
Do radio and TV in the venue count too?
Yes. The law includes radio, television and digital platforms among the forms of public communication when used commercially in a space open to the public.
This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Requirements can change: always confirm with ACAM what applies to your venue.
Music built for commercial use
Keep the personal account for home. We supply music programmed for your business and point you in the right direction on the legal side.
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