Playing Bollywood songs at wedding ceremonies not a copyright infringement, clarifies govt

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Bollywood music at wedding ceremonies and related festivities without facing copyright infringement action. As per a ToI report, the decision comes as a relief to event planners, hotels, and individuals organizing celebrations, who were often entangled in unnecessary legal disputes and financial burdens due to demands for license fees by copyright firms.

The Copyright Act of 1957 already stipulated that playing copyrighted music at such functions was legally permissible. However, copyright societies continued to demand royalties for the songs, leading to conflicts and complexities for those involved.

Acting on numerous complaints from the public and stakeholders, the department of promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) clarified the matter through a public notice on July 24. According to section 52 (1) (za) of the Copyright Act, playing a literary, dramatic, or musical work or communicating it to the public during a genuine religious or official ceremony by the central/state government or any local authority does not infringe copyright.

This includes marriage processions and social festivities associated with weddings, which are regarded as religious ceremonies under this clause. In light of this provision, DPIIT explicitly directed copyright societies to refrain from taking actions that contravene section 52 (1) (za) to avoid legal consequences.

The general public was also cautioned against complying with unwarranted demands from individuals, organizations, or copyright societies that violate this section. As per a ToI report, the order has been warmly welcomed by the hospitality industry, with Amit Sharma, president of the Poona Hoteliers Association and GM of Amanora The Fern, expressing satisfaction at the