After Yash Raj Films' complaint that its songs were played at Wankhede without licences, cops watch replay of World Cup final to listen for Bollywood songs
After Yash Raj Films' complaint that its songs were played at Wankhede without licences, cops watch replay of World Cup final to listen for Bollywood songs
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The song-and-dance festivities after India's World Cup win may have faded out for the cricketers and the citizens, but for the cops at Marine drive police station, they have just begun. Only, they are devoid of any celebratory spirit.
The cops are busy watching recordings of the final World Cup match on April 2, straining to listen to the Bollywood songs played at Wankhede Stadium every time an Indian cricketer hit a boundary or a six, so they can compile a list of all the numbers played without express permission to do so.
Copyright breach
After Yash Raj Films (YRF) struck the three cricketing bodies associated with hosting the final International Cricket Council (ICC), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) with notices for playing its songs without obtaining proper licences, the producer also complained to the Marine Drive police station, seeking action against the associations for violating the Copyright Act.
Hence the musical atmosphere at the station.
According to the police, a day after the final, YRF slapped notices to the ICC, MCA, and BCCI through its distributor company, Novex Communications the authorised agency for issuing licences for use of YRF film songs and promos at public events.
The songs were mostly played from Chak De India and Band Baaja Baaraat. Sources said that though YRF was paid Rs 7 lakh for playing Chak De India songs, the producer wants royalty for other songs played allegedly without permission.
Moreover, even for Chak De, the number of times its songs were played is a sticking point between the two sides. Cops said that these details would be out only after a week.
'It's a pain'
Now, as Marine Drive policemen pore over the match playing on a loop at the station to figure out how many such songs were played, for how long and how many times, and what the compensation would be watching the World Cup doesn't seem so exciting to the otherwise cricket-fanatical officials.
"This is a strenuous job for us. As it is, we are busy with bandobast arrangements for a series of government holidays this week. Now, officers are busy collecting this data. We will go ahead with this issue from Friday," said a police officer.
"The matter is under investigation. We are recording statements of both the sides. It will take some time to sort the issue," said Iqbal Shaikh, assistant commissioner of police, Colaba Division.
YRF says
"I will be able to make a comment only by Monday. We are working on the issue and the police are investigating the matter," said Chetan Maniar, vice-president, Novex Communications.u00a0
Some Songs played at Wankhede
1u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Chak de India
2u00a0u00a0u00a0 Dum Dum Mast hai
3u00a0u00a0u00a0 Vande Mataram
4u00a0u00a0u00a0 Munni Badnam Hui
5u00a0u00a0u00a0 Ek Do Teen
6u00a0u00a0u00a0 Vazale Ki Barah (Marathi)
The Other Side
P V Shetty, secretary, Mumbai Cricket Association, said, "I am unaware of the issue. You should talk to Ratnakar Shetty."
But Ratnakar, the chief administrative officer for BCCI, remained unavailable for comment despite several phone calls and text messages.
The BCCI's vice-president and its Media Committee's chairman, Rajeev Shukla, was also not available. Reportedly, he is out of the country.
Lalchand Rajput, former manager of the Indian cricket team and an administrative member of the ICC, was not available for comment despite repeated efforts.
Rs 7 lakh
The amount that has been paid to YRF to play Chak De India songs at the stadium, according to sources
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