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Music & Licensing
What you need to know about broadcasting music legally.
The short version
AWE Radio is a platform — like a website host. You are responsible for having the rights to broadcast the music on your station. We don't monitor what you play, and we can't provide licenses on your behalf.
That said, broadcasting music legally is simpler than most people think. Here's how.
What you can broadcast freely
No license needed
- Your own music — original compositions, your band's recordings
- Royalty-free music — from libraries like Free Music Archive, Incompetech, Artlist
- Creative Commons music — check the specific license (CC-BY, CC-BY-SA are typically fine for streaming)
- Public domain — recordings where copyright has expired
- Music with explicit broadcast permission — from the artist directly
What requires a license
License required
- Commercial music — songs by signed artists from labels (Universal, Sony, Warner, etc.)
- Covers — your cover of someone else's song still requires a mechanical license
- DJ mixes — using other artists' tracks in a mix
How to get licensed
If you want to broadcast commercial music, you need licenses from performing rights organizations (PROs). The requirements vary by country:
Sweden
- STIM — covers songwriters and composers
- SAMI — covers performing artists
- IFPI Sweden — covers record labels
- For internet radio, look for their "webcasting" or "online streaming" license category
United States
United Kingdom
- PPL PRS — joint license for streaming
EU / International
- Most EU countries have a national PRO. Search for "[your country] music performing rights organization".
- Costs for small webcasters are typically modest — often under $50-200/year for stations with under 100 listeners.
Best practices
- Start with royalty-free music — get your station running, build an audience, then add licensed music if needed.
- Mix free and licensed — many stations blend original content with a smaller selection of commercial tracks.
- Keep records — maintain a playlist of what you broadcast. PROs may ask for reporting.
- When in doubt, ask — most artists and small labels are happy to grant permission if you ask directly.
What happens if you broadcast without a license?
If we receive a valid copyright complaint (DMCA takedown or equivalent), we are required to act on it. This may mean:
- Removing specific tracks from your station
- Temporarily suspending your station
- Permanently removing your station for repeated violations
We'll always notify you and give you a chance to respond before taking action.
AWE Radio's role
We provide the streaming infrastructure. We do not:
- Monitor what music you upload or broadcast
- Provide music licenses on your behalf
- Report your playlists to PROs (that's your responsibility if required by your license)
- Claim any rights to your music or content
Questions?
If you're unsure about licensing for your specific situation, contact us at hej@retro87.se and we'll try to point you in the right direction.