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Compulsory Music License for Events: Delhi HC Rules Against PPL’s Licensing Practices

Image shows corporate event in a banquet hall, where people are dressed in business attire, having drinks and enjoying music.

In a case between Al Hamd Tradenation and PPL, the Delhi High Court ruled that Al Hamd is entitled to a compulsory license because PPL refused to grant a license for a small event at a reasonable fee. The Court stated that Section 31(1)(a) applies to all works, including sound recordings. It observed that demanding an unreasonably high fee constitutes a refusal to license. The Court will now decide the appropriate royalty and licensing conditions.

US Court Affirms Human Authorship Requirement for Copyright Protection

Robot painting portraits in a studio, with text asking about ownership of generated works.

In this order, the US Court of Appeals confirmed that only human authors can claim copyright protection under the 1976 Act. It rejected Dr. Stephen Thaler’s application for an AI-generated artwork, ruling that machines like his Creativity Machine are tools, not authors.

Generative AI Training and Copyright: U.S. Copyright Office’s Pre-Publication Report

Robot reading on a digital tablet and pointing gesture next to text about the U.S. Copyright Office’s pre-publication report on generative AI training released on May 9, 2025.

This post offers a structured summary of Part 3 of the U.S. Copyright Office’s AI report series. It highlights the pre-publication report’s focus on legal concerns surrounding generative AI training and a link to the main report.

The Business of Copyrights – Register Your Interest in Dr. Kalyan Kankanala’s Upcoming IP Book

The Business of Copyrights is Dr. Kalyan Kankanala’s upcoming book on Indian copyright law and its application in business and creative sectors. With a focus on AI and real-world cases, the book is part of a new IP series. Readers can now register their interest ahead of release.

Government of India Constitutes Committee on AI and Copyright

Illustration of Government of India's committee members seated at a long table, discussing AI and copyright policy matters.

The DPIIT announced a committee to explore legal and policy challenges at the intersection of AI and copyright. With personnel from the government, academia, and industry, the committee is tasked with reviewing the Copyright Act, 1957, and preparing a detailed working paper.

PS2 Copyright Case: AR Rahman vs Dagar Brothers — Delhi HC Orders Credit, ₹2 Cr Deposit

Illustration of Indian classical musicians playing traditional instruments, with a banner headline about the PS2 copyright case between AR Rahman and Dagar Brothers, highlighting Delhi High Court’s order for credit, ₹2 crore deposit, and ₹2 lakh costs.

In a major copyright case over Ponniyin Selvan 2’s song “Veera Raja Veera,” the Delhi High Court ruled partially in favour of Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar against A.R. Rahman and others, ordering credits to the Junior Dagar Brothers, a ₹2 crore deposit, and ₹2 lakh costs.

Offbeat and Out of Tune: Copyright’s Missing Rhythm in Indian Music

World IP Day and the Best of IP in Music With WIPO’s call to “Feel the Beat of IP” World IP Day 2025 brings music...

Indian IP Office Rolls Out Utility for Patent, Design, Trademark, Copyright & GI Statistics

A bar chart with blue and teal bars and trend lines, alongside a black text box with the title “Indian IP Office Rolls Out Utility for Patent, Design, Trademark, Copyright & GI Statistics” in white font, highlighting the launch of a centralized IP statistics dashboard.

The Indian IP Office has launched an online IP Statistics Dashboard offering real-time data on filings and registrations across IP types. Users can explore patent, trademark, copyright, design, and GI trends with interactive tools. Though provisional, the tool centralizes valuable insights into India’s IP landscape.

Only Copyright Societies Can Issue Licenses: Delhi High Court Strikes a Blow to Music Licensing Practices of PPL, Novex, and Others

Only copyright societies can issue licenses – Delhi High Court decision impacting music licensing by PPL, Novex, and others

In Azure Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. v. Phonographic Performance Ltd., the Court held that Phonographic Performance Limited (“PPL”), though an assignee of copyrights, could not engage...

Thomson Reuters vs ROSS Intelligence : Does training AI models amount to fair use?

The US District Court for Delaware ruled in favor of Thomson Reuters, finding that ROSS Intelligence infringed Westlaw’s copyrights by using its headnotes and editorial content for AI training. The Court rejected ROSS’s fair use defense, emphasizing market harm and the need for AI developers to license copyrighted materials. While granting partial summary judgment to Thomson Reuters, the Court left certain copyright expiration claims for jury determination. This decision reinforces copyright protections in legal research and sets a precedent for AI-related copyright disputes.