My company provides training classes, and we play background music during class. Can I use CDs from the local music store?
Any CD in the local music store is still under copyright protection; therefore, you cannot play the music in public without paying royalties. Since you are charging for the classes, you are especially leaving yourself open to royalty fees and penalties. If you hold classes in a public meeting facility such as a hotel, check with the facility to see if it has a license to play music. If not, your company should license some royalty-free music or obtain a license from BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC..
