The Hindu Business Line : Music in offices, discos comes at a price

PLAYING piped music at the workplace to soothe frayed nerves or blaring CDs at a pub or a café does not come free. These establishments have to acquire a licence from the copyright holder to use the music at public places.

Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), the copyright society that administers the broadcasting and public performance rights of its member music companies, has said that the use of music at public places is illegal. According to Mr Vipul Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PPL,

``We have got to know that a number of companies play music at offices. Shops, restaurants and discotheques also play music without seeking a licence. This is a wrong practice.'' The PPL wants to initiate a campaign to stop the practice.

Corporates such as Raymond, Reliance, Standard Chartered Bank, Global Trust Bank, Café Coffee Day and Barista are among those who have formally sought a licence to play music at their premises. ``But these are very few in numbers. We feel that corporates are not paying the licence fee because they are not aware of this. We want to educate them on the issue of copyright infringement,'' said Mr Pradhan.

The licence fee for background music in small-size cafés and restaurants is about Rs 5,000-6,000 a year while for discos it could go up to Rs 50,000-Rs 5 lakh a year depending on the size of the place.

The PPL has already joined hands with the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) to spread awareness about copyright infringement. ``Nasscom will be speaking to its members on the issue,'' said Mr Pradhan.

Meanwhile, the PPL has already asked broadcasters to stop using music of member companies in television serials without a licence. ``Several popular serials use popular Hindi film music without a licence. If the practice does not stop, we will go to court," Mr Pradhan added. He also said that a case related to private FM radio companies is being heard at a Bombay Court.

More Stories on : Music & Dance | Trends

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
MFs start looking beyond metros

Petro pricing: PM to be briefed today

Global edible oil prices crash; farmers may switch crops

FIIs continue to exit bank stocks

Music in offices, discos comes at a price