Preity Zinta's Punjab Kings also in dock for copyright infringement

The Recorded Music Performance Ltd (RMPL)  the sole Copyright Society registered by the Government of India for managing Sound Recordings, has filed a suit for copyright infringement for songs played at the Gujarat Titans games played at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad on behalf of one of its members.

It is to be noted that a police complaint for copyright infringement of a song against Punjab Kings (PBKS) has been filed by RMPL in Mohali near  Chandigarh. A police complaint has also been made in Lucknow against Lucknow Supergiants(LSG).

RMPL despite having served various notices calling upon BCCI, Board of Cricket Control in India, DNA, a Bangalore based company appointed to manage the entertainment by Gujarat Titans for its games, had continued to play songs whose rights were administered by RMPL compelling them to file a suit before the Commercial Court at Gandhinagar against DNA and the Gujarat Titans.

Mr. Sowmya Chowdhury, CEO of RMPL stated that RMPL is on its way to creating a platform in India where all Music Labels registered with RMPL, will get their rightful dues. “We ensure that the users of the music belonging to our members, are provided due information about the Copyright Act well in advance. But if they still choose to ignore and willfully commit a cognizable offense, then we will be forced to take the necessary steps to bring them to the right side of the law.”

Commenting on this further, Chowdhury said, “Various attempts over several weeks by the RMPL team were made to connect with the representatives of the Event Management Company – DNA networks, for paying the license fees for using our music in the IPL matches. But they just plainly chose to ignore our verbal and written communications. Subsequently we even wrote letters to the BCCI (Board of Cricket Control of India), but again, it fell on deaf ears. Finally, we were forced to knock on the doors of the honourable court in Gandhinagar, which ended up giving the verdict in the favour of the Copyright Act of 1957, thereby giving us a well deserved boost for upholding the law of the land.”

He added, “We will take this matter further by filing similar cases pan India level against those who will not take RMPL license and willfully infringe the law of the land.”

Upon service of such summons issued by the Commercial Court at Gandhinagar, DNA & BCCI made a statement before the court that they shall not play the songs mentioned by the Plaintiff as impugning upon the copyright of their members during the upcoming semi finals and final games.

The songs are very popular Gujarati numbers Helo Maro Sanbhaloji and Mara Palavno which were played between overs during at least 6 IPL matches hosted in Gujarat. The Suit is now listed in June. RMPL is advised by and is acting through their advocate Mr. Rohan Lavkumar of Nanavati Associates.