What is PPL & IPRS music License
PPL – Phonographic Performance Limited and IPRS – The Indian Performing Right Societies Ltd. are two leading organisations that provide Music License in India. Music License is a requirement for all the businesses where activities such as pre-recorded music/songs in the form of music Cassette, Gramophone records, Radio, TV, CDs, or in Audio-Visual form, etc are carried out or live songs are performed, as per the Copyright Act, 1957. Playing music in public places for any commercial purposes, it is mandatory for all to obtain such license.
For Playing Pre-recorded Music: Copyright Society for Sound Recording which is Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) issues music license to entities such as restaurants and cafes who want to play music in their premises.
For performing Live music: In case, any business unit is willing to have singers in their premises for the singing or live concert purpose then business have to approach Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) for the license.
Documents required to get Music License
- Personal details such as name, address, nationality
- Details regarding the business
- Detailed list of music type that you will play
- If you are into an LLP business then it is necessary for you to submit certificate of incorporation
- PAN Card
- GST registration certificate
- Address Proof such as Electricity bill, driver’s license, voter ID card, Aadhar card
Registration Procedure to get PPL Music License in India
- Submit an application along with the applicable fees in the prescribed format along with the prescribed fee with PPL
- For any kind of radio broadcasting license, the applicant must contact and submit the application in head office of PPL located in Mumbai.
- For any other kind of license including background music license, Event license etc. the applicant must submit an application in the nearest liaison or facilitation office.
Registration Procedure to get IPRS Music License in India
- Start the procedure to get a music license by selecting the category or type for the music license, i.e., in which type an applicant wants to get his music license.
- The process of creating an account is online on the official website of IPR. Start with selecting the type of license and then complete the necessary details such as the name of applicant, address & contact details of an applicant, Email-id, GST, password, and user-id for login credentials.
- The applicant then receives a mobile OTP for verification.
- Subsequently, the online application is completed upon payment of the government fees. Online payment gateways facilitate this payment, after which the online receipt will be sent through SMS or E-mail.
- After the successful registration, the IPRS license issue the Introduction Letter to an applicant that implies the registration of the applicant with the IPRS database.
Cost of Obtaining PPL & IPRS License
The fee of the Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) license depends upon various factors such as;
- Place type
- Number of hours played
- Number of songs played
- Venue Capacity
- Business type
Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS) License is a requirement in case your business conducts live performances. Generally, the license fee for each Square feet of your building is Rs. 1.50/sq. feet and the minimum royalty under their tariff is INR 50,000, etc.
What are the penalties for the offender?
Section 63 and 63 A. of the Copyright Act defines the punishments in case a person / entity or business does not avail registration with the Copyright Society and performs such activities as defined in the Section 51 of the Copyright Act then such person /entity or business shall be liable for such punishments.
Punishments according to Section 63 are as below where any person infringes the copyrights or other rights:
- Imprisonment for a period not less than 6 months and which may extend to 3 years and
- Fine which shall not be less than INR 50,000 and which may extend to INR 2, 00,000
Punishments according to Section 63 are as below where any person infringes the copyrights or other rights and are repetitive offender;
- Imprisonment for a period of not less than 1 year which may extend to 3 years and
- Fine not less than INR 1,00,000 and which may extend to INR 2, 00,000.
FAQs
Both the IPRS (Indian Performing Rights Society) and any Registered Cooperative Society are eligible to issue a Music License in India. However, the type of Music License depends on the need of Cafés/ Bars/ Restaurants that whether they want to arrange live performances or use pre-recorded songs.
The Copyright Act, 1957, acts as the Governing Law for the Music License.
The concept of PPL (Public Performance License) was developed under the Copyright Act, 1957. As per this act, the owner must obtain Performance License; Entertainment License, and PPL License, if he/she wants to play music, drums, pre-recording songs or music in an open area.
Trade License is a license or permission issued by a municipal corporation granting permission to carry on a particular business at a particular address. It ensures that the citizens are not adversely affected by health hazard and nuisance by the improper carrying of trade.