No license required for playing music at religious ceremony

-

Is license required to play music at Weddings or Religious Ceremony?

License to play music at weddings

PUBLIC NOTICE : No. P-24029/56/2023-IPR-VII dated 24th July 2023

Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has received several complaints, representations, grievances from the general public as well as other stakeholders about alleged collection of royalties by the Copyright Societies for performance of musical work, communication to the public of sound recording etc. in marriage functions in contravention to letter and spirit of Section 52 (1) (za) of Copyright Act 1957.

It is well known that Section 52 of Copyright Act 1957 enumerates certain acts which shall not constitute an infringement of Copyright. Section 52 (1) (za) specifically mentions the performance of a 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 the State Government or any local authority, as not constituting infringement of Copyright. Religious Ceremony (for the purpose of the aforementioned clause) includes a marriage procession and other social festivities associated with marriage.

In view of above, Copyright Societies are directed to strictly refrain from entering into acts which are in contravention to Section 52 (1) (za) of Copyright Act 1957, in order to avoid any legal action. Also, the General Public is hereby cautioned to not to accede to any uncalled demands from any individual/organization/copyright society which are in violation of Section 52 (1) (za) of Copyright Act 1957.

There are several organizations that collect royalties for playing music in India. The most prominent ones are:

Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS): IPRS is a non-profit organization that collects royalties on behalf of composers, lyricists, and publishers of music. It is the largest PRO in India, and it collects royalties from a wide range of sources, including radio, television, bars and restaurants, and live concerts.

Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL): PPL is a PRO that collects royalties on behalf of record labels and music producers. It collects royalties from businesses that play sound recordings, such as streaming services, retail stores, and hotels.

Indian Singer Rights Association (ISRA): ISRA is a PRO that collects royalties on behalf of singers. It collects royalties from businesses that use singers' performances, such as live concerts and corporate events.

These organizations collect royalties from businesses that use music, and then distribute them to the songwriters, publishers, and singers who own the copyrights to the music. The amount of royalty that is paid will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of business, the amount of music that is played, and the duration of the performance.

#Playing music at a religious ceremony is a fair use of copyrighted material.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 for tax audit reporting

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 for the purpose of tax audit reporting While preparing Tax Audit Report in Form 3CD it is important to fill due date of payment to various Employees contribution fund and actual payment of the contribution. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va)" Most commonly reported funds under the clause are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI may result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2020-21 for quick reference  PF payment due dates for the FY 2020-21 Period Due date Day Extended date Reference Apr-20 15/05/2020 Friday                                -                           -   May-20 15/06/2020 Monday                  
Continue Reading

PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 for reporting u/s 36(1)(va)

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 for the purpose of tax audit reporting Reporting under clause 20 (b) of Form 3CD requires due dates of payment to various Employees contribution fund. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va) " Here " due date " means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise. Most commonly reported funds under the clause 20(b) are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2021-22 for quick reference. PF payment due dates for the FY 2021-22 Period Due date Day
Continue Reading

Format of shorter notice consent for AGM (Annual General Meeting)

-
Image
Format of shorter notice consent for AGM (Annual General Meeting) Background The Companies Act mandates companies to issue a notice to members calling a general meeting at least 21 clear days before the date of the meeting. Sometimes, the matters in urgency require quick decision making and in such circumstances, the companies may go for calling general meetings at shorter notice. However, in case of the private limited companies the period can be less than 21 days as provided in the Articles of Association (AOA). Provision and Rule As per the provisions of Section 101 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013, every general meeting of a company may be called by giving not less than twenty-one days clear notice in writing or through electronic mode in such manner as provided under Rule 18 of Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014. What is Consent for shorter notice? It is permission obtained by the company from its shareholders, in advance, to call a general meeting at an earlier da
Continue Reading

PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 for reporting u/s 36(1)(va)

-
Image
PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 for the purpose of tax audit reporting Reporting under clause 20 (b) of Form 3CD requires due dates of payment to various Employees contribution fund. i.e  "Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as referred to in section  36(1)(va) " Here " due date " means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit an employee's contribution to the employee's account in the relevant fund under any Act, rule, order or notification issued thereunder or under any standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise. Most commonly reported funds under the clause 20(b) are EPF and ESIC. If there is delay in the payment of the contributions of PF and ESI result in disallowance of the payment of contribution. Here is the chart of the due dates under EPF and ESIC for the FY 2022-23 for quick reference. PF payment due dates for the FY 2022-23 Period Due Date Day Extended D
Continue Reading

Letter of Authority for Tax Practitioners (Income tax)

-
Image
LETTER OF AUTHORITY I/We ________________ Proprietor/Partner/Director of _______________________ hereby authorize Mr/Mrs/ CA __________________________ [   to appear, represent and settle on my/our behalf the Income tax assessment proceeding/s before the Income tax officer / Assistant/Dy. / Commissioner of Income tax or in appeal before the Appellate Assistant Commissioner of Income   Tax, Commissioner of Income tax (Appeal) or the Appellate tribunal or the Board of Direct taxes for the assessment year 20XX-XX and   [ to produce accounts and documents / statements and to receive on my/our behalf any notice or documents / statements issued in connection with the said proceedings ] or/and [ to apply for, obtain and receive refund order in respect of the said assessment (if any) and ] or/and [ to apply for copies of the Income tax assessment order, the Appellate order or the order of the Commissioner of Income tax, the Central Board of Direct-taxes ] . I/
Continue Reading