Music Licensing for Event Planners
As the event organiser, you are best placed to ensure all licences are in place — and jointly liable if they are not. Here's what each type of event requires.
The ceremony is exempt
Bona fide wedding ceremonies and all associated social events — including sangeet, mehendi, and reception — are explicitly exempt from music licensing under Indian copyright law. DPIIT confirmed this in July 2023. Your client does not need to pay PPL or Novex for their wedding.
Your DJ's liability
A 2011 court ruling confirmed that DJs performing professionally at weddings cannot claim the wedding exemption. As the planner, ensure your DJ contract includes a clause confirming who obtains the relevant licences. Get it in writing before show day.
Hotels add licence costs — here's why
Hotels and banquet halls often include PPL and Novex charges in wedding packages to cover their own annual venue licences. Your client can challenge this for ceremony-specific music by citing Section 52(1)(za). You can advise them on this confidently.
Your planning checklist for a wedding
Step 1 — Confirm the DJ's approach. Are they building a PPL-only or Novex-only setlist? If so, only one sound recording licence is needed for the event component. Search the proposed setlist on Trakinfo to verify.
Step 2 — Confirm who holds the event licence. If the DJ is performing at a hotel or banquet hall, the venue may hold an annual background music licence — but this does not cover the DJ performance. A separate event licence is needed. Confirm in writing before the event date.
Step 3 — Brief your client. The family does not need to purchase music licences for their own wedding ceremony. If a hotel is demanding this, they can decline or escalate. Your role as planner is to ensure the professional performers have their obligations covered.
Step 4 — Put it in your standard contract. Add a clause: "The DJ or performer is responsible for ensuring all applicable music performance licences are in place for their performance. The event organiser (your company) will verify this in writing no later than 7 days before the event."
Verify the DJ's setlist.
Search every track and confirm its licence body in seconds.
Verify the DJ's setlist →All licences apply
Unlike weddings, corporate events have no exemptions under Indian copyright law. PPL for sound recordings, Novex if the setlist includes YRF or Zee Music tracks, and IPRS for compositions. All three are required for a commercial public performance.
The one-licence strategy for corporates
For corporate events you control the brief. Tell the DJ to build a PPL-only setlist and only one sound recording licence is needed. Use Trakinfo to verify every proposed track before confirming the setlist with your client.
Background vs event licence at the venue
If the corporate event is at a hotel or club with an annual background music licence, that licence does not cover your event. A separate PPL and Novex event licence is required. Confirm this with the venue in writing before the event.
Your planning checklist for a corporate event
Step 1 — Decide on a single-licence setlist. Brief your DJ to use only PPL tracks or only Novex tracks. Search the proposed setlist on Trakinfo. This one decision reduces licence costs significantly.
Step 2 — Get the licences in your name as the organiser. PPL and Novex event licences can be obtained per event. As the organiser with the client relationship and the budget, you are best placed to obtain these. Factor the cost into your event fee.
Step 3 — Add a licence clause to your client contract. "Event organiser will obtain all required music performance licences (PPL and/or Novex event licence, IPRS) prior to the event date. Cost is included in the event management fee." This protects your client and demonstrates professionalism.
Step 4 — Keep copies on the day. PPL, Novex, and IPRS investigators attend events. Carry printed or digital copies of all licences at the event.
Search and verify your setlist.
One Trakinfo search per track confirms the licence body in seconds.
Search and verify your setlist →