IPRS Takes Legal Action Against Unlicensed Music Use In Bengaluru, Delhi And Calcutta

As Bengaluru gears up to ring in the year-end with music-filled celebrations, the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) has reiterated a fundamental principle of the music ecosystem: celebration must go hand in hand with respect for creators’ rights.

IPRS, India’s only registered copyright society representing composers, lyricists and music publishers, recently initiated legal proceedings against V&RO Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., a company that operates and manages several popular food and beverage outlets across Bengaluru. These include Mirage, Badmaash, Hangover, Taki Taki, Holy Doh, Tycoons, Plan B, Café Noir and Nevermind. The action followed the company’s alleged failure to secure mandatory music licences for Christmas and New Year events planned across its outlets.

Acting on IPRS’s plea, the court granted an ex-parte ad interim order of temporary injunction, restraining the defendants and those acting on their behalf from publicly performing or communicating music from IPRS’s repertoire, as well as that of its sister copyright societies. The order effectively reinforces that public celebrations involving music cannot take place at the expense of creators’ legal rights.

This stance has found support in other parts of the country as well. In a separate matter before the Delhi High Court, IPRS initiated legal proceedings on December 23, 2025, against MJ Bizcrafts LLP, which operates the popular nightclub Privee at the Shangri-La Hotel in New Delhi. By an order passed the same day, the court directed MJ Bizcrafts to deposit the applicable royalty amount with IPRS before hosting its New Year’s Eve event on December 31, 2025. Failure to do so would result in an injunction restraining the event from being held.

Further strengthening IPRS’s position, the Calcutta High Court passed a favourable order on December 24, 2025, against Chocolate Hotels Private Limited, which manages and operates the Park Prime Hotel in Kolkata. The court restrained the company from organising any events involving the use of music without first obtaining a licence from IPRS.

With the festive season at its peak, IPRS has reminded restaurants, bars, hotels, cafés and event organisers that playing music at public events requires appropriate licensing. The society emphasised that enjoying music also carries the responsibility of fairly recognising and compensating the creators behind it.

As the New Year approaches, IPRS has called for responsible celebrations,urging venues to let the music play and the parties shine, while ensuring that the rights of music creators are respected and rewarded.