The short answer is yes, you (i.e., the exhibiting company) need to obtain a license for any music that is played at trade shows or events — but there's a notable exception. Let me start with a bit of a disclaimer: Music licensing is a legal minefield impossible to sum up in a brief column. Do your music licensing homework and ensure your company doesn't end up having to pay steep fines and legal fees.

It's important to know that the event host has the onus of obtaining the appropriate licenses. For example, say that you hire a musician or band for a few hours to play cover songs to liven up the atmosphere in your exhibit. The artists who wrote the songs deserve to be compensated for their work.

A common misunderstanding is that the musicians, bands, or DJs will have the licenses for the music. That's wrong. Your company benefits from the music being played, so you are in charge of making sure the correct licenses are acquired. Work with Performing Rights Organizations (PROs), which collect royalties on behalf of songwriters. In the U.S. there are four big PROs: BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, and GMR. (If you're exhibiting outside the U.S., find that country's appropriate PRO — most have just one.)

There is a notable exception to licensing requirements, which is where my company, SongDivision, fits in. If the musicians you hire perform original music, you do not need to obtain a music license. For instance, SongDivision often works trade shows or corporate events. While there, our musicians do a quick interview about attendees' interests and motivations and use that information to create personalized, original songs — dubbed InstaHits — which our client and the attendees can share on social media and play at their events without additional licensing.

Just remember that if you are playing someone else's music, those artists deserve to be compensated for that. For a more in-depth look at music licensing advice regarding corporate meetings and events, visit www.songdivision.com/music-licensing.