(function () {
try {
// AQ-r2 (2026-06-09): respect the explicit-denial sentinel
// written by cookie-consent-harden.js writeATR() on any
// marketing-axis denial (payload.marketing === false; cycle-3 F1).
// Without this gate, the next page navigation re-creates
// gmx_first_touch from the current URL+referrer+utm_*+click_ids,
// silently undoing the reject-all deletion (sweep finding #1).
// The sentinel is cleared the moment the visitor grants
// marketing in the banner (analytics-only grant does NOT
// clear), restoring the writer path on the very next
// page load. Page-cache-safe: the sentinel is a
// browser-resident cookie checked in the inline script, so
// varnish/breeze-served HTML still hits this gate.
if (/(?:^|;\s*)gmx_consent_denied=1(?:;|$)/.test(document.cookie || '')) return;
var CLICK_IDS = ['gclid','fbclid','msclkid','ttclid','wbraid','gbraid','li_fat_id'];
var qs = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
var urlClickIdKey = null;
for (var i = 0; i < CLICK_IDS.length; i++) {
if (qs.get(CLICK_IDS[i])) { urlClickIdKey = CLICK_IDS[i]; break; }
}// Parse existing cookie.
var existing = null;
var match = document.cookie.match(/(?:^|;\s*)gmx_first_touch=([^;]+)/);
if (match) {
try { existing = JSON.parse(decodeURIComponent(match[1])); } catch (e) { existing = null; }
}// GWP-273 — referrer-enrichment branch.
// Keep existing unless either (a) URL carries a new click id
// the stored payload lacks (paid click is a higher-value
// signal and upgrades direct/organic), OR (b) the stored
// payload has empty referrer AND the current document.referrer
// is non-empty + external (Safari/ITP/policy-quirk catch:
// first-hit may have missed the referrer; later same-session
// page-loads can recover it).
var existingHasRef = !!(existing && existing.referrer && existing.referrer !== '');
var docRef = document.referrer || '';
var refHost = '';
if (docRef) {
try {
refHost = new URL(docRef).hostname.replace(/^www\./, '').toLowerCase();
} catch (e) { refHost = ''; }
}
var ownHost = (location.host || '').replace(/^www\./, '').toLowerCase();
var currentExternalRef = !!(refHost && refHost !== ownHost);
var canEnrichRef = !!existing && !existingHasRef && currentExternalRef;if (existing) {
if (!urlClickIdKey && !canEnrichRef) return;
if (urlClickIdKey && existing[urlClickIdKey] && !canEnrichRef) return;
}var utm_keys = [
'utm_source','utm_medium','utm_campaign','utm_content','utm_term',
'utm_adgroup','utm_matchtype','utm_network','utm_device','utm_placement'
];
// GWP-273 — merge-preserving base. When enriching an existing
// payload, retain its landing_url + ts + prior click ids /
// utms; only overlay referrer (and any click id appended below
// via the forEach). Branches with/without urlClickIdKey were
// collapsed — both produced the identical Object.assign — the
// click id is added uniformly later.
//
// GWP-273 design choice: "latest external referrer wins" —
// accepted edge case where a user opens a new external tab
// post-empty-first-touch and returns; low-volume, simple, no
// sentinel flag needed.
var data;
if (existing && canEnrichRef) {
data = Object.assign({}, existing, { referrer: docRef });
} else {
data = { landing_url: window.location.href, referrer: docRef, ts: Date.now() };
}
utm_keys.concat(CLICK_IDS).forEach(function (k) {
var v = qs.get(k);
if (v) data[k] = v;
});
// GWP-208 — carry Meta's first-party click-linker cookies (_fbc
// = fb.1.<ts>.<fbclid>, _fbp) into the captured payload so they
// ride the persistent gmx_first_touch cookie cross-page (LP X →
// LP Y) the same way the URL click-ids do. The CF7 hidden-field
// populator copies the whole payload verbatim, so fbc/fbp reach
// the lead even when the form lives on a page without ?fbclid.
var fbcMatch = document.cookie.match(/(?:^|;\s*)_fbc=([^;]+)/);
if (fbcMatch && fbcMatch[1]) data.fbc = decodeURIComponent(fbcMatch[1]);
var fbpMatch = document.cookie.match(/(?:^|;\s*)_fbp=([^;]+)/);
if (fbpMatch && fbpMatch[1]) data.fbp = decodeURIComponent(fbpMatch[1]);
var encoded = encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify(data));
if (encoded.length > 3800) return;
var expires = new Date(Date.now() + 90 * 864e5).toUTCString(); // GWP-143 C1: match Google Ads 90-day attribution window
var secure = window.location.protocol === 'https:' ? '; Secure' : '';
document.cookie = 'gmx_first_touch=' + encoded + '; Path=/; Expires=' + expires + '; SameSite=Lax' + secure;
} catch (e) {}
})();
/* Meta Pixel base — inline in wp_head so Breeze Delay-All-JS does not defer it; fbevents.js is async-injected (optimizer-invisible). */
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;
n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script',
'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');/* Symmetric with server GMX_Consent: revoke BEFORE init; cookies/sends held until grant. */
fbq('consent', 'revoke');
fbq('init', '1857131551802431');
fbq('track', 'PageView'); /* queued; flushed to Meta only after consent grant *//* Grant bridge — reads the SAME ATR marketing signal as GMX_Consent.applyConsent(). */
(function () {
function read(name){var m=document.cookie.match('(?:^|; )'+name.replace(/([.*+?^${}()|[\]\\])/g,'\\$1')+'=([^;]*)');return m?decodeURIComponent(m[1]):'';}
function marketingGranted(){
try {
var given = read('atr_cookie_notice_consent_given');
if (!given) return false; // undecided -> stay revoked
var c = JSON.parse(read('atr_cookie_notice_consent') || '{}');
return !!(c.marketing || c.ad_storage === 'granted');
} catch (e) { return false; } // NO-SILENT-OK: parse/read failure degrades gracefully to revoked (consent stays held; no marketing send) — not an error to report.
}
function apply(){ if (marketingGranted()) fbq('consent', 'grant'); }
apply();
document.addEventListener('click', function(ev){
if (ev.target && ev.target.closest && ev.target.closest('[class*="atr-cookie"], #atr-cookie-notice')) setTimeout(apply, 50);
}, true);
window.addEventListener('storage', apply);
})();
var breeze_prefetch = {"local_url":"https://gomixapp.com","ignore_remote_prefetch":"1","ignore_list":["/cart/","/checkout/","/my-account/","https://gomixapp.co.il/(.)/u05d4u05d8u05d5u05e4u05e1-u05e0u05e9u05dcu05d7-u05d1u05d4u05e6u05dcu05d7u05d4/","wp-admin","wp-login.php"]};
//# sourceURL=breeze-prefetch-js-extra
Playing YouTube to a customer audience in a business or building lobby requires a separate commercial license. Without one, the YouTube Terms of Service restrict the service to personal use only.
YouTube Premium is not a commercial license either. An active subscription therefore does not exempt you from paying ACUM royalties.
Section 32 of the Copyright Law, 5768-2007 defines playback in a business as a public performance, which requires a license.
The ACUM license fee for a small business ranges from several hundred to several thousand shekels per year, depending on the size and type of the business.
In addition, statutory damages for infringement run from ILS 10,000 to ILS 100,000, even without proof of actual damage.
Playing YouTube in a business is one of the most common questions among shop owners, restaurateurs, clinic operators, and homeowner associations in Israel. Many assume that because the service is free, commercial use of it is also permitted. In practice, the YouTube Terms of Service explicitly prohibit this, and Israeli copyright law requires a separate ACUM license for any public performance. This guide explains the law, the risks, and the three legal alternatives available to businesses in 2026.
Playing YouTube in a Business: Why the Question Worries Every Owner
Every year, hundreds of Israeli business owners receive a letter from ACUM. Many of them discover that the music they played in the background infringed the law. According to ACUM data, public performance of music without a license requires royalty payments in every case. When YouTube is involved, the question becomes more complex. Even if you paid for a YouTube Premium subscription, that does not constitute a license for commercial use. Business owners who reached out to us said they were shocked to discover this only after receiving a payment demand. Our main guide to music for businesses details all the alternatives available for 2026.
In addition, homeowner associations in Holon, Ra’anana, and Tel Aviv encountered the same surprise when they played music in the residential lobby. It is worth noting that private clinics, hair salons, and beauty studios are also considered businesses for every purpose. As a result, every public place where customers hear the music is subject to the Copyright Law, 5768-2007. Moreover, even a short soundtrack playing while customers wait at the cashier counts as a public performance. This guide answers the question directly, without unnecessary legal jargon, and includes every detail a specialist attorney would mention in a first meeting.
What the YouTube Terms of Service Say in 5 Lines
The YouTube Terms of Service prohibit commercial playback.
The YouTube Terms of Service (Terms of Service, Section 5) state that the service is intended for personal use only. As a result, commercial use, including playing YouTube in a business in front of customers in a shop, restaurant, building lobby, or any other public space, is prohibited without a separate agreement with YouTube. In addition, music that was uploaded to the platform for free is still subject to the copyrights of its creators. In other words, even if the video is available for free viewing, playback in a business requires two separate licenses. First, a commercial license from YouTube. Second, a public performance license from ACUM. It is worth noting that Google does not offer a commercial license to small businesses, so there is no way to obtain legal authorization through the platform itself.
The Common Cases in a Business or Lobby
The four most common situations in which business owners infringe the law without realizing it are the following. In every one of them, a legal music license for businesses is required, even if the source of the music is free YouTube.
Scenario 1, shop or restaurant: Running YouTube on a screen that customers see and hear constitutes a public performance under the Copyright Law of 2007. Therefore, even a small cafe with 20 seats requires a license.
Scenario 2, YouTube in a residential building lobby: A homeowner association that plays music from YouTube in the lobby may also be required to hold a license. The reason: the lobby is a shared public space, so the playback counts as a public performance. For further reading see legal playlists for background music in the building lobby.
Scenario 3, clinic waiting room: Waiting for an appointment? Playback to guests who are not members of the household counts as a public performance. Likewise, dental clinics and beauty studios are also subject to this obligation.
Scenario 4, event hall: Any music played in front of an audience, including from YouTube, requires a specific license from ACUM. In addition, wedding halls and bar mitzvah halls are sometimes also required to hold a license from IFPI. Therefore, a commercial event that costs its owners tens of thousands of shekels may incur a heavy financial penalty if no license was arranged in advance.
It is also worth remembering that the prohibition on commercial use of YouTube is not limited to music alone. An embedded video on an advertising screen, a corporate video in a sales department, and a clip playlist in a hotel lobby all count as commercial use under the platform’s Terms of Service. As a result, digital signage networks that use a free YouTube feed are also required to enter into a separate licensing arrangement with the rights holders. It is worth noting that a number of shop owners were hit by lawsuits of this kind during 2024 and 2025, so awareness of the issue is rising.
What Israeli Copyright Law Says
Section 32 of the Copyright Law, 5768-2007 defines a “public performance” as playing a work before an audience that is not a circle of close acquaintances. Therefore, every business that plays music in front of customers, guests, or residents is required to obtain a license from ACUM. It is worth noting that this definition also covers livestream playback, radio, and YouTube video. In addition, Section 56 of the law permits the court to award damages of between ILS 10,000 and ILS 100,000, even without proof of actual damage. As a result, even a minor infringement may end with a statutory royalty demand. Israeli case law has consistently supported ACUM’s position in various lawsuits. For more details on tariffs see the guide how much an ACUM license costs for a cafe.
3 Legal Ways to Play Music
Three legal alternatives to playing YouTube in a business.
The three main legal options are: first, a direct ACUM license combined with an independent content source. Second, a licensed business music service that includes licensing in the subscription. Third, royalty-free music or original AI music. Each option has clear advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is worth comparing them before deciding. For an in-depth read see comparison of music services for businesses. In addition, you should weigh the one-time setup cost of audio equipment, the monthly maintenance cost, and the degree of fit to the specific business.
Some signage companies steer customers toward expensive solutions that are not necessarily required. Therefore, it is important to understand that legal AI music solves both problems at once: it does not require an ACUM license, and it is tailored to the character of the business. In addition, it is especially cost-effective for homeowner associations looking for a budget-friendly AI solution for businesses.
YouTube Premium Will Not Save You
Contrary to what many people think, YouTube Premium is not a commercial license. The subscription grants a personal viewing right without ads, and nothing more. Google does not grant businesses a separate licensing agreement for public use. Therefore, paying the subscription fee does not protect you from a claim by ACUM. YouTube Music Premium also does not include the right to play music in a place of business. In addition, YouTube’s official policy documents make this clear explicitly in the prohibited-use section. So the licensing question remains entirely open even with an active subscription costing ILS 26 per month. It is worth noting that business plans of Google Workspace also do not include the right to play YouTube, which requires a commercial license. It is unwise to assume that an enterprise track resolves the obligation.
What to Do If You Received a Letter from ACUM
Received a demand letter from ACUM? The first three steps are the following. First, do not ignore the letter. A neglected letter can turn into a civil lawsuit very quickly. Second, verify the circumstances: was there in fact a public performance in the business? Sometimes this is a case of mistaken address identification. Third, consult a lawyer who specializes in copyright before you respond in writing. In addition, you may approach the ACUM Business Music Department directly and arrange a retroactive license. As a result, you can sometimes significantly reduce the amount demanded. It is worth noting that a fast, professional response saves tens of thousands of shekels on average. Finally, switch the source of the music to a legal alternative immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it allowed to play YouTube in a shop or restaurant?
No. The YouTube Terms of Service restrict the service to personal use only. Playing YouTube in front of customers in a shop, restaurant, or any other place of business constitutes commercial use prohibited by the platform’s terms, and it is also a public performance that requires a license under Israeli copyright law.
Does YouTube Premium permit playback in a business?
No. YouTube Premium grants only a personal, ad-free viewing right. It does not include a commercial license for public performance. Even if you have an active subscription, playing music in front of customers still requires a separate license from ACUM and a commercial license from YouTube.
Is a homeowner association allowed to play YouTube in the residential building lobby?
No. A residential building lobby is a shared public space. Under Section 32 of the Copyright Law of 2007, playing music in front of residents or guests in the lobby counts as a public performance that requires a license from ACUM. A homeowner association needs a license just like any other business.
How much does an ACUM license cost for a small business?
ACUM’s business tariffs are determined by the size of the venue, the type of activity, and the expected number of customers. A small business (up to 50 sq m) typically pays a few hundred shekels per year. For a precise quote, contact ACUM’s Business Music Department directly at acum.org.il.
What is the penalty for playing music in a business without a license?
Under Section 56 of the Copyright Law of 2007, the court may award damages of between ILS 10,000 and ILS 100,000 per infringement, even without proof of actual financial damage. In addition, ACUM may demand retroactive royalty payments for the period during which playback occurred without a license.
Is free music from YouTube exempt from copyright?
Not necessarily. Most music on YouTube is protected by copyright even if the video is available for free viewing. Creators upload the music, but they do not waive their rights. The exception is the YouTube Studio free audio library, which contains music that can be used freely under certain conditions.
Does background radio in a business also require a license?
Yes. Playing radio broadcasts in front of customers in a business also counts as a public performance. In Israel, even public radio broadcasting inside a business requires a license from ACUM. The reason: the business benefits from the musical presence even if it did not pay for the production of the music.
What is Royalty-Free music and how is it different from YouTube?
Royalty-Free music is music in which the rights holder grants a blanket license up front, usually in return for a one-time payment or subscription. Unlike YouTube, a service such as GoMixApp includes a music library licensed for business use, so no additional license from ACUM is required.
I received a letter from ACUM, what should I do?
First, do not ignore the letter. Second, verify whether public performance in fact took place under the circumstances ACUM cites. Third, consult a copyright-specialist lawyer before you respond. After that, you can approach ACUM directly and arrange a retroactive license, which sometimes reduces the amount demanded.
What is the difference between an ACUM license and a license from YouTube?
ACUM represents the rights of composers and lyricists in Israel. YouTube, as a platform, controls the right to use its interface. A legal public performance in a business requires two separate licenses: one from ACUM for using the protected works, and one from YouTube for using the platform for commercial purposes. In practice, YouTube does not offer such a commercial license to small businesses.
Summary
In summary, the three key facts are the following. First, YouTube explicitly prohibits commercial use in its terms of service. Second, Israeli law requires an ACUM license for every public performance in a business or lobby. Third, YouTube Premium does not constitute a commercial license, and therefore does not solve the problem. The simplest way to comply with the law is to use a business music service that includes built-in licensing, or original AI music that does not require a license at all. In addition, homeowner associations can opt for a dedicated solution that combines a low cost and full control over the content.
Business Music System: Streamer + AI Subscription
The complete business music system: one-time streamer at ILS 350 + monthly subscription at ILS 70 + VAT. No ACUM royalties, no YouTube license, no surprises.
The information in this article is general in nature, does not constitute legal advice, and does not replace individual advice from an attorney. Questions regarding music licensing for a business should be directed to a lawyer specialized in intellectual property. ACUM tariffs, YouTube’s Terms of Service, and the rates of commercial music libraries are subject to change; the information is accurate as of May 2026.
Soundtrack Your Brand(R) is a trademark of Soundtrack Your Brand Ltd. Mood Media(R) is a trademark of Mood Media Corporation. YouTube(R) is a trademark of Google LLC. ACUM operates under the Copyright Law, 5768-2007 as the recognized collective management organization in Israel. These trade names are mentioned for objective comparison purposes only; GoMixApp is not affiliated with these companies.
var atrCookieNoticeSettings = {"cookieName":"atr_cookie_notice_consent","decisionCookieName":"atr_cookie_notice_consent_given","expiryDays":"365","autoHideDelay":"0","enableDebug":"","siteName":"GoMixApp","isPrivacyPage":"","privacyPolicyUrl":"https://gomixapp.com/privacy-policy/","privacyNoteText":"\ud83d\udca1 You can read this page while deciding about cookies","mode":"simple"};
//# sourceURL=atr-cookie-notice-simple-js-extra
