Event Management Firms And Music Copyright Firms At Odds Once Again

The Indian government recently released a notice saying Bollywood songs can be played at weddings without a copyright license. This notice has once again put event management companies and music copyright firms at odds. 

The music copyright and licensing ecosystem in India is led by players such as PPL India (Phonographic Performance Ltd), IPRS (The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd), and Novex Communications. The public notice issued by the Department for Promotion, Industry and Internal Trade put them in a frenzy. 

Copyright societies argue against copyright-free use of songs at weddings saying that the music industry is struggling in the digital era facing minuscule revenues from streaming, radio, and television, and battling privacy, while the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) says that weddings are not commercial events therefore removing any need for a copyright license. Meanwhile, public performances make up for only two to five per cent of revenue for music labels that don’t pursue such legalities.