Music Compliance for Venues — The Background vs Event Licence Problem
Most venues assume their annual background music licence covers everything. It does not. Trakinfo helps you understand exactly what you need — and verify every track before an event.
Regular background music
Restaurant during service, hotel lobby, retail store. Annual licence from PPL and/or Novex based on floor area. Renews yearly. Covers day-to-day ambient music only.
Events you host
DJ nights, corporate dinners, launch parties, sangeet. Requires a separate per-event licence from the relevant body. Your annual licence does not apply. Budget for this separately per event.
Third-party events at your venue
Corporate clients or wedding families booking your space. Ensure your booking contract specifies who obtains the event music licences. You can still be jointly liable if they fail to obtain them.
Enforcement is active
In September 2024, the Delhi High Court issued specific injunctions against Hyatt, Lemon Tree, Trident, and Leopold Café for playing music without valid licences. In December 2023, the Bombay High Court ordered approximately 100 commercial establishments to stop playing music without licences ahead of New Year's Eve.
PPL and Novex use investigators who attend venues without notice. Penalties under the Copyright Act can reach ₹10 lakh per song plus up to three years' imprisonment for wilful infringement.
How Trakinfo helps venues
Before hosting an event, search the DJ's proposed setlist on Trakinfo. Confirm every track belongs to a licence body you hold. If the setlist mixes PPL and Novex tracks, ensure both licences are in place. If it is PPL-only, you only need PPL for that event.
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