Digital Goa, Jan 13 – CM Pramod Sawant on Tuesday assured the Goa Assembly that the government will issue a circular barring copyright agencies like PPL and Novex from demanding licence fees or disrupting weddings and social functions. Replying to a Calling Attention moved by MLA Vijai Sardesai, the CM asserted that Section 52(1)(za) of the Copyright Act, 1957 exempts music played at bona fide religious and marriage ceremonies from copyright liability and agencies cannot demand money from people for music rights at such events. Sawant added that the matter will be also be taken up with the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and also with Registrar of Copyright, for a permanent solution. Several ruling and opposition MLAs sought urgent action to end the harassment and exploitation.
