Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: High Court has quashed Goa government’s circular dated 30 January 2024, which exempted music played at weddings from copyright infringement action under the Copyright Act.
The High Court further clarified about that ‘bonafide religious ceremony’ mentioned in circular that it must be determined on a case-to-case basis.
Goa Home Department had earlier issued a circular stating that there is no requirement to obtain copyright permission for the performance of musical works at religious ceremonies/wedding/social festivals.
The department had also directed the police not to cause undue harassment to the public and warned of taking action against hotels that demand such licences too.
The circular was issued by Vivek Naik, Under Secretary (Home-I), with approval of the Competent Authority to the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Directors of the Tourism Department and the Department of Art and Culture.
“Several complaints have been received stating that in respect of religious ceremonies including marriage/wedding festivities, there is an insistence by certain organisations/hotels to get permission from copyright societies for the performance of musical works, communication to the public sound recordings, etc.” the circular reads
It states, “In this regard, the Public Notice of Government of India dated 24.07.2023 issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is very clear, which states that such performances of musical works, etc, at religious ceremonies, including weddings do not amount to a violation of the Copyright Act 1957,” reads the circular,” he added
