Not licenced to thrill

The DJ playing music during Champions League T20 matches does not have the required consent from the regulator

The DJ playing music during Champions League T20 matches does not have the required consent from the regulator

Fans and spectators of the Airtel Champions League T20 cricket tournament are in for another shock.

After the three Indian Premier League teams made an unceremonious exit from the fatafat cricket extravaganza the colourful cheer girls may also have to just sit and enjoy the on-field action rather than dancing to the tunes of the DJ whenever the ball clears the boundary and during breaks.

Music licensing authority Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) registered an FIR against the DNA networks organisers of the on-field entertainment at the stadiums on October 16 for allegedly playing unlicensed music and failing to pay the royalty to the copyright owners.

The PPL filed the complaint in Delhi and Hyderabad and is planning to do the same in Bangalore. Though the Delhi Police is yet to register an FIR, the Hyderabad Police registered the report under FIR No. 9709/2009 at Uppal Police station.

The complaints have been registered under sections 2FF number 51 and 63 of the Copyright Act 1957. DNA Networks MD T Venkat Vardhan and GM-Operations Rajesh Chandwani have been made accused in both the complaints.

MiD-DAY is in possession of both the police complaints as well as extracts from the communication transpired between the parties concerned. It is understood that the agency had written an approach letter to PPL for granting license before the commencement of the tournament. However, on October 12, PPL sent an e-mail to DNA Networks, marking a copy to Airtel (title sponsor) and BCCI (the organiser), and accused the agency of delaying the payment of license fee. It asked the organisers to make the payment at the earliest.

Vitamin Eye: A file photo of cheerleaders at the Champions League T20 cricket tournament

Chandwani responded to the mail on October 15 saying, "Please note that no music is being played in the Champions League Tournament that is registered with PPL." The agency had cited that the DJ license issued to DJ Clement by the association was sufficient enough for the performance.u00a0

However, the agency countered that the licence was restricted to "embodiment and storage usage" only.

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Public performance by the DJ requires a separate public performance license from PPL. DNA Networks paid a part of the due money after the complaints were filed but the PPL told told MiD DAY that the DJ playing at the event was yet to get a separate licence for public performance.

"PPL has not given license to DJ Clement for editing any track of its member companies. The license owned by him is meant for temporary legitimate storing of music not for changing original tracks." said Sowmya Choudhary, Country Head-Events, PPL. Choudhary, however, declined to share the exact amount of license fee being charged for the entire tournament, or the amount which has been paid. Despite repeated attempts, DNA Networks was not available for comments.

The Other Side
The representative for DNA Networks did not reply to an e-mail query despite an assurance over the phone.