From New Year’s Eve parties and wedding season extravaganzas to DJ-led club nights and hotel galas, music is the emotional engine of celebration. Songs transform venues, bring crowds together, and create moments that linger long after the lights go out. But behind these shared experiences lies a growing concern: much of this music is being played without proper licences, cutting creators out of the very ecosystem their work sustains.
'When music is used without authorisation, the damage goes beyond just lost revenue'
Playback singer and lyricist Priya Saraiya believes the issue strikes at the heart of creative respect. “I see music as central to how people connect, celebrate, and express themselves,” she says. “Across concerts, clubs, hotels, and public spaces, the work of songwriters and composers is used extensively, often forming the backbone of shared experiences.” She adds that when music is used without authorisation, the damage goes beyond lost revenue. “It is about respect for creative labour. Every song that fills a venue carries the contribution of creators who invested years in their craft. Overlooking licensing excludes them from the cycle of use and acknowledgement.”
'Songs carry years of thought, emotion and labour
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For creators, unlicensed use means their work fuels celebrations without recognition or compensation. Priya states, “A song carries years of thought, emotion and labour. When it is used without permission, creators lose both recognition and income, even though their work is central to the celebration.”
Lyricist Sameer Anjaan echoes the concern, pointing to the long-term impact on the industry. “Songs live far longer than the events they are played at,” he says. “When music is repeatedly used without licences, it slowly weakens the ecosystem that creates those songs in the first place.”
He warns that if the entertainment industry wants fresh voices and lasting cultural relevance, it must rethink its approach. “Creators must be treated as long-term partners, not background contributors. Licensing is not about one party or one event — it’s about building an industry that respects creativity over time.”
Why copyright bodies matter
Organisations like the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) representing songwriters, composers and publishers, ensures creators are paid when their work is publicly performed. Poet and lyricist Irshad Kamil stresses that licensing is often misunderstood.
“That is why the role of organisations like IPRS becomes important,” he says. “They exist to ensure that creators are not forgotten when their music travels into clubs, hotels, festivities and events.”
Irshad Kamil adds that responsible licensing does not stifle celebration. “Awareness is not about stopping festivities; it’s about making sure culture is sustained by respecting the people who create it.”
Courts reaffirm the law during peak festive seasons
According to Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS, non-compliance remains widespread, especially during high-demand periods in the live entertainment calendar. “Despite increasing awareness, many venues and establishments continue to use music without authorisation,” he says. “Peak festive periods make this gap especially visible.”
He points out that courts across Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi and Bengaluru have repeatedly upheld creators’ rights. “These rulings reaffirm that music cannot be commercially exploited without proper licensing. The effort is not aimed at stopping celebrations, but at ensuring that as the live entertainment ecosystem grows, it does so in a lawful, transparent and sustainable manner.”
Clearing the confusion around event licences
One persistent misconception is that a general background music licence covers all uses. According to Ameet Dutta, Legal Counsel at IPRS, courts have explicitly rejected this belief. “The Copyright Act, 1957 — particularly Sections 13, 14 and 51 — governs public performance and communication of musical and literary works,” Dutta explains. “Judicial orders have clarified that special events, DJ nights, New Year’s Eve parties and ticketed celebrations require separate, event-specific licences.”
He adds that IPRS has intensified festive season vigilance. “Our focus is on compliance before infringement occurs, supported by repertoire verification, documentary evidence and court-recognised licensing frameworks.”
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