Get music license or face fine with jail term

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Guwahati (UNI): The owners of hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, pubs and night clubs of the North East, beware! Because you may face stringent actions upon blaring out the latest audio hits. Now you could be able to dance to your favourite number only if you have a license for it.The authorities have finally woken up and dragnets of copyright laws are closing in. While dance movements may yet be beyond the domain of copyright laws, the music you play is not. With the mushrooming of discos, the license to play music has gained much importance. Music industry continues to lose huge revenue despite copyright laws.

Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), the sole copyright society registered with the Government of India in respect of sound recordings,organised a meeting here to create awareness about the violation of copyright laws by commercial establishments. The PPL administers the broadcasting, telecasting and public performance rights on behalf of 167 major and minor music companies and hence before playing music in public places it is necessary to seek permission from it.

While some hotels in the city had already obtained the license, many restaurants, lounge bars and mall owners are still not aware of the fact. PPL business development manager Supriyo Mukherjee informed that infringement of the copyright act was punishable by up to three years of imprisonment and fine of Rs 2 lakh.