What does the Copyright Act say about music at weddings?
Section 52(1)(za) of the Copyright Act, 1957, as published by the Copyright Office, says that performing a musical work or playing a sound recording in the course of a bona fide religious ceremony is not an infringement. Its Explanation says a religious ceremony includes a marriage procession and other social festivities associated with a marriage. The Act does not list which functions count.
The words that carry the weight are "bona fide" and "associated with a marriage". A baraat or a sangeet held as part of the wedding sits more naturally inside them than a ticketed party or a function held by a business.
What did the 2023 DPIIT notice say, and is it still in force?
It is no longer in force. On 24 July 2023, DPIIT told copyright societies to stop collecting royalties for music at marriage functions, citing Section 52(1)(za). It kept that notice in abeyance on 7 November 2024 and withdrew it on 6 December 2025, both times subject to an appeal pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The section itself is unchanged.
| Date | Document | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 24 July 2023 | Public notice P-24029/56/2023-IPR-VII | Directed copyright societies not to collect royalties for music at marriage functions; cautioned the public against such demands. |
| 7 November 2024 | Office memorandum | Kept the notice in abeyance, pending LPA No. 1127 of 2022 before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. |
| 6 December 2025 | Office memorandum | Withdrew the notice, subject to the final decision in the same appeal. |
The appeal is against a 2022 single-bench order in Novex Communications v. Union of India. Until it is decided, the government has no notice in force on wedding music, and the question rests on the words of the Act.
Which events generally need a music licence?
Events at hotels, banquet halls and clubs that are not part of a wedding, corporate events, ticketed shows, and commercial events generally need licences from the bodies that control the music played. As published by PPL India, a hotel, banquet or individual using its recordings at a corporate or social event needs an event licence for that event.
Recorded music and live performance are licensed separately. Recordings are licensed by the bodies that represent record labels; the songs themselves, the composition and lyrics, by the body that represents composers, lyricists and publishers.
What do the licensing bodies say about weddings?
They do not say the same thing. As of November 2026, IPRS states on its website that it does not charge for events declared as marriage processions or social festivities, and issues a free licence to record such events. PPL India's FAQ says events at hotels and banquets using its recordings need an event licence, and does not set out a wedding exception.
What should a couple or planner do before the wedding?
Ask the venue in writing what it requires, list the functions and where each is held, and note who is playing what. If a body asks for a fee, ask it to state in writing which works it controls and on what basis it charges. Keep everything on file, and take advice on any function that is ticketed or sponsored.
- Ask the venue, in writing, which music licences it holds and which it expects the host to take.
- List each function, its venue, and whether it is private, ticketed or sponsored.
- Note whether music is a DJ playing recordings, a live band, or both.
- If a body asks for a fee, ask in writing which works it controls and the basis of the charge.
- Keep any licence or written confirmation with the event file.
Where Arika fits
Arika Licenses, the licensing desk of Arika Group in Mumbai, looks at an event's functions and venues and says which licences, if any, apply, then arranges them with PPL, Novex, IPRS and RMPL through one desk. It does not give legal opinions.
Event music licencesSources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. The position can change with court rulings. For a specific event, take advice on its facts.
Official and primary pages this guide was checked against on 14 November 2026. Figures are as published by each body; Arika confirms the current figure in writing when you apply.
- Copyright Office, Government of India: Exceptions to infringement (Section 52)copyright.gov.in
- DPIIT: Public notice regarding Section 52(1)(za), 24 July 2023dpiit.gov.in
- DPIIT: Office memorandum keeping the notice in abeyance, 7 November 2024dpiit.gov.in
- DPIIT: Office memorandum withdrawing the notice, 6 December 2025dpiit.gov.in
- The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS)iprs.org
- PPL India: Frequently asked questionspplindia.org