The Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), the apex licensing arm of the Indian Music Industry, on Wednesday launched an awareness programme on music licensing laws aimed at various entertaining establishments that play music commercially.
The campaign is intended to encourage these establishments to procure PPL licenses for commercial use of music.
Mr Sowmya Chowdhury, Country Head of PPL, said despite the growing popularity of Indian film music, the industry suffers huge losses owing to “illegal playing of music at various popular entertainment zones.”
“There is lack of awareness amongst people regarding the legal usage of music by acquiring adequate music licenses issued by PPL,” he told media persons here.
Over 241 music labels are currently registered with PPL and any commercial use of music from these labels without the PPL licence is liable to contempt of court under Section 35 in the Indian Copyright Act.
Mr Chowdhury, however, admitted that PPL was grossly understaffed to enforce this provision across the country. “We presently have 750 employees, which is grossly inadequate to tackle this problem,” he said.