Restaurants seeks clarity from music industry over royalty

NEW DELHI: That mouth-watering dish at your favourite restaurant in the backdrop of sour stirring tunes is likely to get a little costlier soon as restaurants now may have to dole out royalty for the music they play.

Many stakeholders in the music industry have been demanding royalty for copyright music being played at restaurants. Once the restaurants start paying royalty it could be added to a diner's bill, making that special evening a little more expensive.

Restaurants do not mind paying royalty. The issue is that many stakeholders demand royalty for the same music.

"Paying royalties to record companies is not an issue with us. The only hindrance is that there is no single authority claiming these royalties. There are too many stakeholders involved," said National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) Vice President Sameer Kuckreja.
   
To sort out the issue, NRAI, the representative body of restaurants, food chains, pubs and bars with over 500 members, is holding a meeting next month in New Delhi in which all stakeholders are expected to attend.

Kuckreja told that there are a number of stakeholders, right from the artists to record companies, claiming copyrights to a single album, making it difficult for restaurants owners to ascertain "how and to whom" these royalties are to be paid.

"Restaurant owners regularly get notices from channels, broadcasters, cable service providers, record companies and from artist bodies, claiming royalties on the music being played," Kuckreja said.

NRAI would meet representatives from IPRS(Indian Performing Right Society), artist association Phonographic Performance Ltd and representatives from record companies to find an amicable solution.

"All we want is a bit of clarity on royalty issues and we would definitely pay them their due share," Kuckreja said.