What Is A Music License in India?

Music license gives permission to businesses to play recorded music or live concert on their premises legally. Section 2 (p) of the Copyright act, 1957, defines musical work as a work consisting of music and includes any graphical notation of such work but does not comprise any words or any act intended to be spoken, sung, or performed with music. There are two kinds of bodies that issue music licenses in India, namely, PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) and IPRS (The Indian Performing Right Societies). PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) is responsible for approving licenses for businesses like pubs and cafes for pre-recorded music. IPRS (The Indian Performing Right Societies) approves license to hotels, theatres, events premises, pubs, malls, and banquets for conducting live concerts.

Why Do You Need License To Play Music In Business?

Playing music without having a music license can result in legal actions in India, which may attract penalties. Music licenses protect the rights of musicians and artists and provide legal protection to businesses and individuals as well.

Types Of Music Licenses In India

• Sync License: In this category, already created music is aligned with various visual content. A wide range of users, including television commercials, advertising firms, film production companies, and others, requires music licenses.
  
  
• Mechanical License: The objective of this music license in India is to make artists' works accessible to the public through CDs, published music online, or any other distribution method. The artist who holds the copyrights to their creations gets compensated for signing a contract for the distribution or duplication of their original work. A mechanical music license in India is required even for making a minor change in original components such as remixing, adding one’s own lyrics, changing anything of the original composition, etc.
  
  
• Master License: It is issued along with the sync license. The pre-recorded music may be used in any audio-visual project by the license holder, but re-recording the song is not permitted.
• Public Performance License: It is the most popular type of music license in India granted for the broadcasting of a copyrighted work of an artist. This license is needed by the businesses that play music in their jukeboxes or at public events like concerts.
  
  
• Print Rights License: It is the indication of the physical copy of the sheet music that an artist has produced. It is required when someone prints the sheet music compilation or any time the sheet music of a copyrighted work is reproduced.
  
  
• Theatrical License: The theatrical licenses are a kind of written permit in the theatre industry. This music license in India is needed whenever a copyrighted work is performed live in front of the audience.

Advantages Of Having a Music License In India:

• An artist can effortlessly use the platform to display their talent to the audience by obtaining a music license.
  
  
• Adhering to the conditions of the music license will prevent the music from being reproduced.
  
  
• Public performances at pubs and restaurants are conducted only by obtaining license to play songs; it will attract more audiences and enhance the restaurant's reputation.

Documents Required:

• Personal details such as name and address
• Details of the business
• A list of types of music that will be played
• In case of LLP, the certificate of incorporation, and if it is a company, then the certificate of incorporation, MOA and AOA.
• PAN Card and Aadhar Card
• GST registration certificate
• Utility Bills

Detailed Process Of Getting Music License In India?

• Visit The Official Website: Go to the official website of IPRS for any kind of live concerts and PPL for pre-recorded music.
  
  
• Select the category: Select the category of music license according to your need.
  
  
• Fill in all the details: Create an online account by providing details, like name, address, contact details, etc.
  
  
• OTP verification: After completing the application, you will receive an OTP for the purpose of online verification.
  
  
• Make payment: After the verification process is completed, you will have to make online fees payment through payment gateways for having music license in India.
  
  
• Get certificate: The licensing authority will issue the introduction letter to you after registering successfully.

Penalties For Not Having a Music License:

Section 63 of the Copyright Act says that any individual who violates the copyright or other rights is accountable for: -

• Imprisonment for six months, which may extend to three years, and
• The offender is liable to pay a fine of not less than fifty thousand rupees, which may extend to two lakh rupees

As per Section 63, any individual who infringes the copyright or other rights is accountable for: -

• Imprisonment for a period of not less than one year, which may extend to three years, andWith a fine, not less than one lakh rupees, and it may extend up to two lakh rupees.

Conclusion:

It is evident from the above description that obtaining a music license in India is a very cumbersome process for many who want to start their business, like hospitality, pubs, and bars. But you don’t have to be worried. Our team of experts is ready to help you in getting the music license. If you are looking for any kind of music license in India, then servicesplus is here for you. Contact me immediately.