Radio companies seek statutory licensing provision in Copyright Amendment Bill

NEW DELHI: India’s radio operators are protesting a move to significantly alter an earlier version of the Copyright Amendment Bill, 2010. An industry association has written to information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni pointing out the adverse impact of a proposed change in the Bill by the HRD ministry from the previous versions.

The version of the Bill that was tabled in Parliament late last year mandates statutory licensing of music by a body called Copyright Board, at rates prescribed by that agency. Now, as the cabinet is set to discuss the new version to be tabled in Parliament, there is a proposal to delete the statutory licensing clause.

“Absence of such a regulation would mean that there would be too many bodies and companies demanding different royalty rates and representing different rights. Statutory licensing makes it easier for both radio companies to pay royalty and for music companies to collect royalty.

This in fact is the only practical way as otherwise rate disputes and rights disputes would hamper growth of both radio and music industries ,” Anurradha Prasad , president of Association of Radio Operators for India, wrote in her letter to Soni Prasad said the distribution of royalty between various music right owners was best managed by the Copyright Board as per laws and regulations existing from time to time. “ The scenario desired is one collection and distribution agency governed by Copyright Board to whom radio can pay royalty and obtain statutory license, ‘’ she said.