Bombay HC restrains Sanjay Dutt's Pune nightclub from playing songs without authorisation

Sanjay Dutt. Pics/AFP, Youtube

[popcorn number="Sept 3" desc="Next date of hearing " class="Default"]

Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) India, the country's oldest copyright licensing organisation, continues its action against unauthorised use of copyrighted music. Ballr, a luxury nightclub in Pune owned by actor Sanjay Dutt and Heramb Shelke, was recently taken to court by PPL over allegations of copyright infringement. In an order passed on August 7, the Bombay High Court granted ad interim relief to PPL, restraining the nightclub owners from publicly performing or using PPL's song recordings without obtaining the requisite licence.

Turns out, a PPL representative visited Ballr on June 24, when they found chartbusters - including Badtameez Dil, Mauja Hi Mauja, Dard-e-Disco, O Saki Saki, Dus Bahane, Justin Bieber's What Do You Mean, and Dua Lipa's Levitating - being played at the venue. The songs' copyrights are held by the licensing organisation.

In the hearing, the court noted that Ballr had previously obtained a licence, which had expired and was not renewed. It restrained the defendants from using PPL's repertoire without a non-exclusive public performance licence.

In light of the restraining order, PPL advocate Hiten Wasan said that the body will continue to identify instances of unauthorised use and pursue legal action. He asserted, "The ad interim injunction granted by the Bombay High Court sends a clear message that continued unauthorised use of copyrighted music can have serious legal consequences."

'Badtameez Dil' and (right) ‘Mauja Hi Mauja'

‘Badtameez Dil' and ‘Mauja Hi Mauja' were allegedly among the songs played without authorisation at the venue