Shillong, May 22: It has been brought to the notice of the district administration that certain public places and commercial establishment and events are using copyright music (whether Indian or International), without a valid license from designated authority as required under section 51 of the Copyright Act 1957.
Such unauthorized usage of copyrighted music would amount to infringement of copyright, which, as per section 63 of the Copyright Act is an offence punishable by imprisonment up-to 3 (Three) years with a fine up-to 2 (two) lakh rupees.
The Designated Authority in this case is Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), a copyright society registered with and empowered by the government of India to issue such licenses. Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) has its regional office at BD-96, Salt Lake City, Sector 1, Kolkata 700064, Tel-033 23345799 and at House No. 20, M.G. Path, Christian Basti, Guwahati-6, Telefax: 0361 2340205. The local representative of PPL in Meghalaya is Shri Donboklang Dohling, Sr. Executive (Licensing), with contact nos. 09774659084, 09856645681.
All concerned are directed to obtain the Public Performance License from Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), for legitimate usage of copyrighted music in all the above-mentioned environments.(SP News)
