Supreme Court Stays Delhi HC Order on Copyright Fees for Restaurants Playing Music

The Supreme Court stayed the Delhi High Court’s direction requiring Azure Hospitality to pay Phonographic Performance Ltd. (PPL) as per the Recorded Music Performance Ltd. (RMPL)’s tariff for playing PPL’s copyrighted music.

The Court clarified that the stay on the High Court’s payment direction does not revive the earlier injunction against Azure. 

The Delhi High Court held that PPL cannot issue licenses without being a registered copyright society under Section 18(1) of the Copyright Act. PPL’s SLP challenges the modified injunction.

The Next hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2025.