The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) has secured a series of court orders across multiple cities, including Bengaluru and Delhi, against hospitality and nightlife operators for failing to obtain mandatory music licences ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations, reinforcing that public festivities cannot override creators’ copyright rights.

According to a press release from the IPRS, in Bengaluru, a court granted an ex-parte ad interim temporary injunction against V&RO Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., which operates popular food and beverage outlets, including Mirage, Badmaash, Hangover, Taki Taki, Holy Doh, Tycoons, Plan B, Café Noir and Nevermind.

IPRS said it is India’s only registered copyright society dedicated to safeguarding the rights of creators and publishers of music.

Acting on IPRS’s plea, the court restrained the company and those acting on its behalf from publicly performing or communicating music from the IPRS repertoire, or that of its sister copyright societies, without a valid licence.

The enforcement drive has also extended to the national capital. In an order dated December 23, 2025, the Delhi High Court directed MJ Bizcrafts LLP, the operator of the Privee nightclub at the Shangrila Hotel in New Delhi, to deposit the requisite royalty with IPRS before hosting its New Year’s Eve event on December 31. The court ruled that failure to do so would trigger an injunction, effectively stopping the event.

A similar outcome was recorded in eastern India, with the Calcutta High Court, according to the press release, issuing a favourable order to IPRS on December 24, 2025, against Chocolate Hotels Private Limited. The company, which manages the Park Prime Hotel in Kolkata, has been restrained from organising any upcoming events involving the use of music without first obtaining a licence from IPRS.

IPRS said the orders underline a clear legal position as the festive season peaks: restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes and event organisers must ensure that all necessary music licences are in place before hosting Christmas or New Year celebrations. The organisation stressed that public performance of music without authorisation amounts to copyright infringement, regardless of the scale or popularity of the event.

IPRS is authorised under the Copyright Act, 1957 to grant licences on behalf of more than 20,000 authors, composers and music publishers. Its members include leading creators and music companies such as A. R. Rahman, Javed Akhtar, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Vishal Shekhar, Super Cassettes Industries (T-Series), Saregama India Limited, Universal Music and Sony Music.

The organisation has urged venues to “celebrate responsibly” while ensuring creators are fairly recognised and rewarded.