Music License
We often plan for dinner and outings with friends and family for a fun
evening. Apart from a break from the monotonous routine, it gives us a
chance to unwind and relax in a good ambiance. What contributes to a
perfect ambiance is music. As it is rightly said music is the food for soul.
Music helps us unwind and is a great stress buster. What many of us are
not aware of that every establishment or person willing to use any pre-
recorded music for non-personal reasons is first required to acquire Music
License.
What is Music License?
It is often assumed that purchasing a CD or DVD gives the owner an
undisputed right to play it anywhere. However, in reality, this is not true.
Music is an intellectual property and purchasing a CD only gives a right to
enjoy it at leisure and in private audience. If anyone is willing to use it for
public purpose either as background music or live performance then such
person will be required to first apply for Music License.
As we have discussed that it is an intellectual property and subject to
Copyright Act. As per the provisions of Copyright Act, 1957 to use any pre-
recorded music for nonprivate purpose or to play in public places and
establishments’ one is required to acquire permission in the form of Music
License from Phonographic Performance Limited. Such pre-recorded music
can be played in any of the following forms;
Gramophone Records
Music cassettes
CDs
Radio
TV
Audio-visual etc.
Note: License for Communication to public, Public Performance of music
recordings is mandatory. All the licenses so applied and granted by PPL
are conditional in nature and for a limited period of time. Here, conditional
means that licenses are not universal and are valid for specific purpose it is
issued for only. For example, if anyone holds a license for background
music, then they cannot organize a live performance on the basis of that.
For live performance, a separate license will be required.
What is the relevance of Music License?
Creating music asks for a lot of effort and creative talent. Starting from
lyricist, producer, director, sound recorder, singer etc. everyone contributes
to the process in a unique way which cannot be undermined in any way.
Thus if anyone is willing to use such music in any non-private manner then
with a view to protect intellectual property rights of such talented people
requirement of Music License is prescribed. As it will be very unrealistic
and cumbersome to get separate licenses from all such people thus a
practical solution is implemented in the form of Music License.
This serves a twofold purpose;
Firstly, it makes the job of applicant easier as they are only required to
apply for a single license and no separate permissions are required from
different people.
Secondly, It helps the owners of such intellectual property to keep track of
and be vigilant about their music.
Types of Music License
Radio License
Radio License is required to be applied before establishing any kind
of radio stations including;
Private FM
Government-owned Radio Station
Community Radio Station
Public Performance (Background music) License
This license is required to play pre-recorded music as background music in
public. With only this license one cannot organize any kind of show, event,
concert dance shows etc. For such performances, a separate license is
required.
Public Performance (Events) License
In case you are planning to organize a public event where music recordings
will be played like promotion even, shows, DJ parties, fashion shows etc
then you are first required to apply for Public Performance (Events) License
for the same. Even shopping malls, restaurants, banquet halls who already
have background music license are required to apply for it separately.
Public Performance (Storage) License
This license is required for temporary storage, embodiment or transfer of
sound recordings. For example- DJs require thisPublic Performance
(Storage) License for storing songs on their DJ system or for transmission
or storage on computer servers by aggregators.
Who requires Music License?
Anyone who is planning to play or communicate pre-recorded music in
either a public place or a commercial or non-commercial premises by
anyways like TV, Cassette, records, radio, cable network etc. require Music
License beforehand. This will also include any kind of public performance,
shows, concerts etc.
Following is a non-exhaustive list of establishments which require
Music License;
Restaurant
Amusement Parks
Airport Terminals
Hotels
Banquet Halls
Salons
Theaters
Events
Reception areas
DJs
Magic Shows
Railway station
movie theater
Sports stadiums etc.
What is PPL?
The Phonographic Performance Ltd. (PPL) was set up by the Indian
Phonographic Industry (IPI) in the year 1941. IPI is an association of
phonogram producers whose main objective is to oversee the broadcasting
license agreements in India. PPL is the specialized body which was formed
with that objective of administering the Broadcasting rights and public
performances.
Phonographic Performance Ltd. has more than 250 music labels as
members.
All the member music labels small and large are associated with PPL and it
is the responsibility of PPL to protect their Intellectual Property rights. With
these objectives, it controls public performance rights and if anyone is
involved in unauthorized use of pre-recorded music without a license then it
will constitute as an infringement of intellectual property under the
Copyright Act of 1957. This infringement will constitute a non-bailable
offense and will attract high penalties
How to get the license
One can submit an application along with the applicable fees in the
prescribed format for public performance of pre-recorded music along with
the prescribed fee with PPL or IPRs as the case may be.
For any kind of radio broadcasting license, the applicant is required to
contact and submit the application in head office of PPL located in Mumbai.
For any other kind of license including background music license, Event
license etc. the applicant is required to submit an application in the nearest
liaison or facilitation office. List of liaison/facilitation is provided on the
official website of PPL.
The amount of application fee depends upon
The nature of license and
The identity of the applicant
In certain cases like gym, casino, waiting rooms, hotels, lodges etc. the
fees are to be paid as a fixed amount on annual basis. However, in certain
cases the number of fees will depend upon total area(for example spa), fee
charged (for example salon, hairdressers) or seating capacity (for example
pub, bars etc)etc. The list of prescribed application fee is available on the
official website.
Penalty Provisions
As we have discussed it is mandatory apply for music license before using
a pre-recorded music for any kind of non-private purpose. If anyone is
involved in any kind of radio broadcasting or public performance of any
copyrighted music without a valid music license to support such activity is
punishable under Copyright Act, 1957. Such an act is considered as an
infringement of intellectual property rights. Such an offense is Cognizable &
Non-bailable in nature and attracts severe punishment.
Such offense is punishable under Copyright Act, 1957. Following are
the punishments;
It can attract penalties under Section 63 which can extend up to Rs. 2
lakhs.
In severe cases, it can also lead to imprisonment under Section 51 of
the Act which can extend up to 3 years.
