"Artistes" move to arrest 'piracy'

The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) made an awareness drive among all the event organizers, hotels, restaurant, bars, malls, department stores, or any other place where music is played. The drive is to make them aware that if they do not have any permission or license from IPRS prior to playing the music, they will be guilty of law breaking and can be booked for criminal offence under Section 63 as conferred under the Copyright Act, 1957.

Deepjyoti Das, Licensing officer of Assam, IPRS said: “All over India we’ve 3500 members. This society consists of lyricists and composers. As per law all the public places should take proper permission and licenses from IPRS to play music. So I want to convey a small message to all such owners to maintain the rules and regulations. If anyone is found to break the rule, cases will be register.”

Noted cultural personality Bhupen Uzir said, “All lyricists and composers should join this society. We must make this awareness to save our own music. Do play music but please make the necessary payment for it. All artistes labour hard to make their songs perfect. So prior to playing the songs, all should take proper licenses and get the permission from the IPRS society.”