MUSIC LICENSE

According to Section 2(p) of The Copyright Act 1957, musical work is the work which has music and includes graphical notation of such work but does not include any words or any action intended to be sung, spoken, or performed with the music. Thus, musical work is giving music to the lyrics of the song. A music License is a permission for approval, validation & protection of musical work.

Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) has classified the Music License into the following types:

• Music License for Public Performance such as performing in an event, pubs, disco, amusement parks, service-oriented premises, waiting rooms, hotels, guest rooms, resorts, clubs, banquet halls and auditoriums, etc. you require an Annual Background License.
• Music license for Television and Radio, you require a Radio Broadcast License.
• Music license to play music at an event such as fashion show, award functions, corporate events, or product launch, you require an Event License.
• Music license for music used as a ringtone or Caller Back Ring Tone (CRBT).
• Music license for Commercial purposes such as advertisements or promotional videos.
• Music License for Streaming or Over the Top (OTT) platforms such as karaoke service on the internet, interactive and non-interactive streaming of music on the internet, music used for sound recording on Electronic Digital Medium.

The music license is issued by Copyright Society or performing right society duly registered under Section 33 of the Copyright Act. Copyright Societies are entities that deal with the collection and distribution of royalties to the registered members accrued from the exploitation of music.

There are three Copyright Societies who have authority to issue license in India namely:

• Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)
• Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS)
• Indian Singer Rights Association (ISRA)

The music license is issued by Copyright Society or performing right society duly registered under Section 33 of the Copyright Act. Copyright Societies are entities that deal with the collection and distribution of royalties to the registered members accrued from the exploitation of music.

There are three Copyright Societies who have authority to issue license in India namely:

• Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)
• Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS)
• Indian Singer Rights Association (ISRA)