EEMA Welcomes Govt.’s Stance on Music Royalties at Weddings!

New Delhi: The Event & Entertainment Management Association – EEMA, once again surges ahead in advocating nonpayment of royalties to music licencing companies for any religious ceremony including weddings, which has been upheld by the Govt. of India amidst significant changes in the event industry in the country. The notification published by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s (Copyright & Design Section) has been enthusiastically received by EEMA.

There has been much discussion over who should foot the bill for music royalties to different licencing authorities for the wedding’s usage of musical works and performances. A Public Notice was recently issued by the Government in response to a number of complaints, representations, and grievances submitted by various stakeholders and the general public regarding the collection of royalties by the music licencing bodies.

The notification reaffirmed that copyright infringement does not occur during the public performance or distribution of a literary, dramatic, or musical work, during any legally sanctioned religious event (such as a wedding), or during any officially sanctioned government function. The notification also instructs music licencing organisations to refuse any claims for payments that would violate Section 52 (1) (za) of the Copyright Act 1957.

An executive member of EEMA named Rajeev Jain made the following statement: “The Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) has once again emerged as a leading advocate in fighting the war against the payment of royalties to music licencing companies for using any musical work which is an integral part of the Indian Weddings.” A major step towards promoting India as a prominent wedding destination internationally was taken recently when EEMA, in partnership with Deloitte, delivered a draught of the country’s first-ever Wedding Tourism Policy to the Ministry of Tourism.

Ankur Kalra, the Treasurer of EEMA and the man in charge of the organization’s Music Licences, has publicly thanked the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for issuing an order that will put an end to the illegal collection of fees at weddings and other social events in violation of section 52 (1) (za) of the Copyright Act 1957. A major change at the Ministry, in his opinion.

Samit Garg, President of EEMA, summed up the outlook for the Indian wedding industry as follows: “The notice issued represents a significant milestone and will most certainly act as a catalyst for its development.” A major wedding destination, where festivities and ceremonies are incomplete without “Music”!! The Government’s commitment to supporting the sector and the involvement of numerous stakeholders is a welcome step towards establishing India as a leading wedding destination.