The Managing Directors/CEO's/Owners/Director/Partners/General Managers
All Members of FHRAI

CC:   Executive Committee Members of FHRAI
         All Regional Associations

Sub: Notice Received by Members of FHRAI from RMPL Demanding Royalties

Dear Member,

We have noticed that members of FHRAI are getting notices from M/s Recorded Music Performance Limited (RMPL), a newly registered Copyright Society for Sound Recording Works with an advise to take license from RMPL for playing recorded music in their establishments.

FHRAI has sought legal opinion on this matter and based on that a reply has been sent to RMPL. We advised them to withdraw the notices that are being sent en masse to our members and further desist from making any monetary claims from our members / users which is contrary to law and illegal.

You may also note that members of FHRAI has no privity with RMPL members. As far as members of FHRAI is concerned, they have been paying charges to the producer/owner of the recorded music being played, and are also taking necessary licenses for the live music being played. Hence, no royalty is payable to RMPL and it is for RMPL to claim their share of royalty from the producers. RMPL cannot make claims against members of FHRAI but has to make claims against the producers of music with whom they have privity.

A copy of the letter sent by FHRAI to RMPL is enclosed for your reference.

With best regards,

Jaison Chacko
Secretary General
_____________________________________________________
The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India
Regd. Off.: B-82, 8th Floor, Himalaya House, 23 K.G. Marg, New Delhi - 110 001
Tel.: 011-40780780, Email: fhrai@fhrai.com, Website: www.fhrai.com