As New Year festivities approach, the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) has intensified its nationwide vigilance to prevent unauthorised public performance of music. Following a series of court enforcement actions in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Mumbai, IPRS is working closely with its members and authorised representatives to ensure full compliance with the Copyright Act, 1957. Over 20,000 creators and rights holders rely on IPRS to protect their intellectual property, and the Society has made clear that unlicensed performances will not be tolerated.
Recent rulings by the Delhi and Calcutta High Courts, as well as the Bengaluru city civil court, reaffirm that using copyrighted musical and literary works without a valid licence constitutes infringement. Such violations may attract injunctions, monetary deposits, and additional legal consequences. IPRS emphasises that these court directives serve as a warning to the hospitality, nightlife, and event industries: licensing is mandatory, not optional.
Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS, explained, “Courts have consistently upheld the rights of music creators. Our goal is not to disrupt celebrations but to ensure they are lawful. With the increase in year-end events, we have strengthened on-ground monitoring so creators’ rights are protected.” Despite prior outreach and awareness campaigns, some venues continue to assume that annual background or live performance licences suffice. IPRS clarified that ticketed events, Christmas and New Year parties, and other special celebrations require separate, event-specific licences. Failure to secure these licences exposes organisers to immediate legal risks.
Legal counsel Ameet Datta noted that judicial scrutiny on music licensing has intensified. “The courts have made it clear that unauthorised public performance undermines creators’ economic rights and cannot continue unchecked,” he said. To support enforcement, IPRS uses detailed documentation, repertoire verification, and court-recognised licensing frameworks, ensuring that action is taken only in cases of actual infringement. Venues that comply with licensing requirements can host events smoothly and without disruption.
IPRS further emphasises that restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes, clubs, and event organisers must secure proper licences for public music performance during the festive season. Venues violating this rule may face immediate legal action, including injunctions, financial penalties, and further proceedings.
As India’s music economy grows, strict enforcement protects creators, strengthens the credibility of live events, and safeguards businesses from legal exposure. IPRS continues to uphold the rights of over 20,000 authors, composers, and music publishers, including top creators like A. R. Rahman, Javed Akhtar, and leading music labels such as T-Series, Saregama, Universal Music, and Sony Music.
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