Chittaranjan Tembhekar | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; April 12, 2011)

Mumbai: Playing of popular Bollywood songs to celebrate boundaries and sixes at Wankhede during the World Cup 2011 may have enthralled cricket fans, but this practice has now landed the event’s organizers in trouble. Novex Communications, Yash Raj Films’s authorized agency which issues licences for use of film songs and promos at public events, has issued notices to International Cricket Council (ICC), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for alleged ‘infringement of copyright’ and has demanded a fine of Rs 25 lakh against the “damage” caused. The agency has also registered a complaint with the Marine Drive police, seeking civil or criminal procedure against those involved in the alleged breach of law.

“We have received the complaint and are making an inquiry into the matter,” Zunjarrao Gharal, senior inspector at the Marine Drive police station, said.

BCCI chief Ratnakar Shetty refused to comment on the matter, saying permissions were taken in most of the cases. MCA’s Lalchand Rajput said his organization had no role to play as ICC was the event organizer.

In its notice to ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat on March 26, Novex had requested him to stop the playing of copyrighted content without permission. “We have been authorized by Yash Raj Films Pvt Ltd to grant public performance licences. The violations are cognizable and nonbailable offences,” said More >