Many wedding venues in India illegally require their patrons to purchase licenses from copyright societies for music to be played in marriage related functions, such as wedding and cocktail events. If licenses are not purchased for such functions, venues refuse to play music.
While Section 52 of the Copyright Act, 1957 clearly specifies that unlicensed performance of any copyrighted musical work or sound recording for any religious ceremony [including any marriage procession or marriage related social festivity] does not constitute infringement, venues justify their insistence by claiming that if licenses are not obtained, copyright societies threaten them with legal action, and accordingly their hands are tied.
Recognizing this problem, the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recently issued a public notice directing copyright societies to not insist upon such licenses; and cautioning the public to not give in to any illegal demands.
The public notice can be accessed here.