Legal Definitions - Aiken exemption

The Aiken exemption is a legal exception that allows small retail establishments to play radio and television broadcasts without obtaining a license. This exemption applies to retail establishments that have less than 2,000 square feet of space and allows them to play broadcasts for both employees and patrons.

The Aiken exemption was established in the case of Twentieth Century Music Corp. v. Aiken in 1975. The exemption is also known as the store-receiver exemption.

A small coffee shop with less than 2,000 square feet of space can play the radio for its customers without obtaining a license. However, a large department store with more than 2,000 square feet of space would need to obtain a license to play the radio or television for its customers.

This exemption was created to help small businesses save money on licensing fees while still being able to provide entertainment for their customers. It is important to note that this exemption only applies to retail establishments and does not apply to other types of businesses or organizations.