HC spoils the party, tells hotels to get licence to play music
In a major relief to Phonographic Performance Ltd, apex-licensing arm of Indian music industry, the Delhi High Court on Friday restrained some hotels from playing its music without a licence from it.
“In case defendants, hotels, are not restrained from playing the sound recordings administered by the plaintiff, PPL, without requisite licence, the plaintiff will suffer irreparable loss and injury,” said a vacation bench headed by Justice Siddharth Mridul.
“Till further orders, the defendants are restrained from playing cassettes, CDs, and audio visuals containing the sound recordings administered by the plaintiff in their events and shows organised by them.”
The order, which may spoil new year parties at various hotels here, came on the pleas of PPL which had sought restraining orders against various hospitality sector ventures including Delhi-based Hotel Royals Plaza and Taj Palace Hotel.
PPL said it is authorised to copyright recordings of its members and collect licence fees from the users of sound recordings whose rights vests in its members.
It added that the hotels may play the music over which it has copyright, without obtaining requisite licence or paying the fee.
PPL is the apex-licencing arm of Indian music industry and was formed to administer broadcast, telecast and public performance rights of its member companies.
Currently, it has 241 plus member companies.
