• Bollywood music copyright understanding

Bollywood music Copyright understanding - how to get copyright license for playing bollywood music on my radio channel not causing copyright issues.
Asked 9 months ago in Intellectual Property

9 answers received in 1 day.

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11 Answers

To get a copyright license for playing Bollywood music on your radio, you need to contact the "Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)" in India, which manages the rights for pre-recorded music, and apply for a public performance license through their official website, providing details about your radio station and the intended usage of the music; you may also need to contact individual music labels depending on the specific Bollywood songs you want to play. 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89956 Answers
2490 Consultations

You need to take permission from T-Series or other authorities PPl and IPRS they issue licenses by paying their fees

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
34493 Answers
248 Consultations

you can apply to the Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS) or Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL

2)  The official website is at the following link:https://www.iprs.org/ and PPL https://www.pplindia.org

 

3) annul license fees have to be paid in advance for playing recorded music on your radio channel 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99754 Answers
8141 Consultations

To legally play Bollywood music on your radio channel without copyright issues, you need to obtain the necessary licenses from the rightful copyright owners. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Obtain a License from IPRS: The Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) manages the rights of lyricists, composers, and music publishers. You need to apply for a public performance or broadcasting license from IPRS.

  2. Secure a License from PPL India: The Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL India) represents record labels like T-Series, Sony Music, and others. If you are playing recorded Bollywood songs, you must obtain a PPL license.

  3. Direct Licensing from Record Labels: Some music labels may require direct licensing. For instance, T-Series, Saregama, and Sony Music may have specific policies for radio channels.

  4. Check with Novex Communications & Tips Industries: Companies like Novex Communications handle the licensing for some record labels separately, so you may need an additional license.

  5. Royalty Payments: Depending on your audience size, revenue model, and broadcast region (online or FM), you will need to pay royalties as per the licensing terms.

  6. International Broadcasting Considerations: If your radio channel is available outside India, you may also need to comply with international licensing agencies like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS (for UK).

To proceed, contact IPRS (www.iprs.org), PPL India (www.pplindia.org), and relevant music labels to get the required licenses. Unauthorized use of Bollywood music without a proper license can result in legal action, copyright strikes, or penalties.

Aman Verma
Advocate, Delhi
501 Answers

Dear Sir, 

You can get the authoirty from the concered license holder like T series, shemarroo, venus music for the same to play on your channel. 

Ganesh Singh
Advocate, New Delhi
7169 Answers
16 Consultations

The best way to help make sure that what you post to Facebook doesn't violate copyright law is to only post content that you've created yourself. It's possible to infringe someone else's copyright when you post their content on Facebook, even if you: Bought or downloaded the content

 

2) Facebook users are expected to respect intellectual property rights. This means not uploading, sharing, or distributing subject that you do not have the necessary rights or licenses to use. This includes copyrighted photos, videos, music, articles, and any other creative works.

 

3) in you tube Creators should only upload videos that they have made or that they're authorised to use. That means that they should not upload videos that they didn't make, or use content in their videos that someone else owns the copyright to, such as music tracks, snippets of copyrighted programmes or videos made by other users, without necessary authorisations.

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99754 Answers
8141 Consultations

SIr/Madam, 

it is informed that there are appropriate laws applicable to youtube and facebook live. In most of the cases they are applied by the concenred channel. 

Ganesh Singh
Advocate, New Delhi
7169 Answers
16 Consultations

Both platforms have strict copyright policies and enforcement. 

Streaming copyrighted content without permission can lead to legal action, including account suspension and penalties. 

You can get a license after uploading a video to YouTube.

Get permission or a license from the copyright holder. 

Use royalty-free or original music. 

Use content that is covered by a Creative Commons license that allows for commercial use. 

To protect your content on facebook

Use Facebook's Rights Manager to scan for matching content across Facebook.

Watermark or brand your live video.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89956 Answers
2490 Consultations

  1. 95 per cent owners of musical works are members of Indian Performing Right Society Ltd which regulates granting licenses in their works.
  2. You need to take license for use of the musical works of its members through Society.
  3. Such license is given by execution of agreement on a bond paper of 100 rupees. No registration is required. Simple agreement  is sufficient.
  4. You need to mention the geographical are of use of musical work by you as if you do not mention the  area, your right  will be restricted to only India.
  5. You need also to mention duration of license as in the absence such mention, you can use the  work only for five years.

  6. The Society has reciprocal arrangements  with several International Copyright Societies of various countries like U.K., U.S., Malaysia, Australia, Germany, Singapore etc. You can also obtain license from copyright owners from abroad.
  7. You can profitably refer to a book written by me “Intellectual Property Rights” published by leading publishing house of Asia.

Ravi Shinde
Advocate, Hyderabad
5121 Answers
42 Consultations

iIts applicable wherever you play the said music for commercial purpose 

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
34493 Answers
248 Consultations

To legally play Bollywood music on your radio channel, YouTube, or Facebook Live in the USA, you need proper copyright licenses. Here’s how:


1. Licensing Requirements:


  • Sound Recording Rights – Obtained from music labels like T-Series, Sony Music India, Zee Music, Saregama, etc.

  • Public Performance Rights – Get a license from Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like PRS (for UK), ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC (for USA).

  • Synchronization License (for Video Use) – If using music with visuals (e.g., YouTube Live), you need permission from copyright holders.


2. Steps to Get a License:


  • For Bollywood Music Labels: Contact IPRS (Indian Performing Rights Society) for India-based licensing or directly approach the respective music labels.

  • For USA-based streaming: YouTube & Facebook require a music license via Content ID; if playing music without proper licensing, it may be muted, demonetized, or lead to copyright strikes.

  • For Online Radio: Services like SoundExchange (USA) provide streaming licenses, but you may still need direct permission from Indian labels.


3. Alternative Solutions:

  • Use platforms like Lickd, Epidemic Sound, or YouTube Audio Library for licensed music.
  • Work with Royalty-Free or Licensed Bollywood Covers instead of original tracks.


Final Advice:




To avoid copyright strikes, get direct licensing from music labels or use PRO-licensed platforms. Without a proper license, your content may face demonetization, takedown, or legal action.

For detailed, personalized advice, consider a phone consultancy. Hope you find the information helpful. You are free to contact me for further discussion. If you could spare two minutes of your time to write a review, it would be greatly appreciated and bring immense happiness to read it. Thank you. Shubham Goyal.

Shubham Goyal
Advocate, Delhi
2054 Answers
14 Consultations

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