FIR filed against pubs in Hyd for exploiting music copyright

Phonographic Performance India Limited (PPL), a collective rights management organisation, said it has filed complaints against a popular DJ, and some of the pubs in Hyderabad for unlicensed commercial exploitation of copyrighted music owned and controlled by PPL.

Police is investigating into allegations of commercial exploitation of music. The FIRs have been registered against establishments including Babylon Kitchen & Bar (Dark Horse Hospitality and Events LLP), Amnesia Lounge, Insomnia Lounge (Indian Boozing Company). These pub lounges have failed to pay royalties for the music owned or controlled by PPL, prompting the need for legal action, an official release said.

The Indian Copyright Act provides both civil and criminal protection against copyright infringements. It allows copyright owners to seek relief through the police against ongoing infringements. PPL’s legal counsel emphasised that, despite several verbal and written warnings, the DJ, and these pubs wilfully neglected to obtain the necessary licenses from PPL, continuing to use copyrighted sound recordings without authorisation.

Established in 1941, PPL India represents the rights of over 79 lakhs songs whose rights have been assigned in favour of PPL by over 400 music companies. The royalties collected against the licenses are distributed back to such music labels, net of administrative expenses.