The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) has issued a Public Notice dated September 18, 2020, informing the interested parties about the intention of IPAB to fix royalties for broadcast of sound recordings through radio.
Section 31D of the Copyright Act 1957 enables any broadcasting organisation desirous to communicate literary or musical work and sound recording works to the public by way of broadcast or performance, can obtain a statutory license for such communication by giving a prior notice and paying royalties to the copyright owner at the rate fixed by the IPAB.
The present notice has been issued by the IPAB in view of pending applications filed in this regard by Music Broadcast Ltd. and other radio broadcasters.
IPAB invites suggestions from interested parties
The IPAB has notified that all interested parties can now forward their suggestions, in writing, along with all relevant and adequate evidence for fixing the rate of royalties for broadcast of sound recordings and musical work through radio, within 30 days from the date of publication of Public Notice.
As the Public Notice is not dated therefore all the interested parties including the owners of the copyright, any broadcasting organisation, any radio broadcasters or any other interested person/ entity, can submit their suggestions on or before October 18, 2020 (Wednesday).
Brief Important list of Dates are as under:
| S. No. | Particulars | Date |
| 1 | Publication of Notice (on Website of Copyright Office) | September 22, 2020
(Tuesday) |
| 2 | Last Date of Submission of Suggestions by Interested Parties | October 18, 2020
(Wednesday) |
Other Important Information for submission of Suggestions to IPAB
| S. No. | Particulars | Date |
| 1 | Email Id to communicate the Suggestions | delhiregistryipab@gmail.com |
| 2 | Contact Number for IPAB | 011-26180613/14 |
| 3 | Website for IPAB | http://www.ipab.gov.in/ |
| 4 | Address of IPAB | G-62 to 67 & 196 to 204, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi – 110 066 |
Since no specified mode of communication is given in the Public Notice, therefore interested parties may submit their suggestion via email and/ or physical submission at the address of the IPAB.
IPAB has listed all the pending applications in the above matter for final disposal on 02.11.2020 at 2.30 PM and has accordingly directed that the matter will be taken up on a daily basis untill the arguments are completed.
IPAB has shown its clear intention to settle the issue of fixing royalties for broadcast of sound recordings and musical work through radio latest by November 2020. Therefore, all the interested parties are recommended to submit their submission as soon as possible for consideration of the IPAB.
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