High Court restrains hotels, pubs from playing music without licence

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has restrained hotels and pubs in the city from playing music without prior nod of copyright society PPL on the New Year eve and other such events.

A bench of Justice A K Pathak directed renowned hotels and pubs not to play sound recordings without prior permission of Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL).

"Till further orders, defendants (hotels and pubs) are restrained from playing cassettes/CDs/audio visuals containing the sound recordings administered by the plaintiff in their events and shows organised by them," Justice Pathak said.

The hotels and pubs against whom PPL had sought court's order includes Radisson Blu Hotel, Hype at Shangri-La Hotel, QBA, Sheraton Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Double Tree Hilton, ChalChitra, Crowne Plaza, Wyndham Hotel, Club Sirocco, Nautica, Play Lounge Bar, 3 Stories, The Glassy Junction, Hang Out and Club Headquarters.

The court, on Monday, also issued notice to the defendants and listed the matter for further hearing on April 30.

"Summons in the suit and notice of the application be issued to the defendants," the court also said.

PPL submitted that hotels and pubs, which are involved in hospitality service, are hosting events on the New Year eve and may play the sound recording without having licence to do so.

PPL is a Copyright Society for sound recordings and mainly engaged in administering the broadcasting, telecasting and public performance rights of its members.