Now, play music freely at weddings
That clear message has gone out from the government with DPIIT threatening such bodies of legal action should they claim and collect fees for musical, literary and dramatical performance at such events including weddings
Surely it will be music to the ears of many. If you have been tormented by copyright societies after playing music at social events or wedding ceremonies, just close your eyes and play on. That clear message has gone out from the government with Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) threatening such bodies of legal action should they claim and collect fees for musical, literary and dramatical performance at such events including weddings.
The Financial Express has reported that DPIIT has unequivocally stated that such fees and royalties contravene the letter and spirit of the Copyright Act.
DPIIT, which works under the Union ministry of commerce and industry, has said that the Copyright Act of 1957 mentions that the “performance of literary, dramatic or musical work or the communication to the public of such work or of a sound recording in the course of any bonafide religious ceremony or an official ceremony held by the central government or a state government or any local authority”, do not constitute any infringement of copyright.
DPIIT further said, “Religious ceremony – for the purpose of the aforementioned clause – includes a marriage procession and other social festivities associated with marriage.”
DPIIT also went a step further and said the general public should not agree to any demand for royalty or fee from any organisation or individual or any copyright society since these amount to violation of section 52(1)(u)(za) of the Copyright Act 1957.
The report mentioned that the DPIIT was enraged after it got several complaints about such royalty being collected by copyright societies for performance of musical works.
Incidentally, there are three major copyright societies in the country. These are The Indian Performing Right Society Limited, Indian Reprographic Rights Organisation and Recorded Music Performance Limited.
Over the past few years, there has been frequent friction and tussle between wedding organisers and copyright owners and societies who have demanded that money be paid for playing music in public. There are many instances where the demands have triggered disputes that went to courts. The DPIIT order might clear the air eventually.