The recent verdict of the Bombay High Court at Goa which scrapped a State government circular that insulated music played at wedding celebrations and religious ceremonies from copyright claims could potentially disrupt and even silence Goa's music scene right across pubs, clubs, small party venues, traditional dance venues to wedding venues permanently. Well, that's because our local musicians, bands and DJs who normally belt out covers of popular songs at weddings, commercial parties, clubs, pubs and restaurants across the state are not big shot 'bhatkaars' or millionaires who are capable of paying additional fees to some non-Goan extortionists (people claiming to hold music copyrights) but are simple people who are known to be playing music solely to earn a little money and to support their own families in Goa. I therefore personally feel that before some non-Goan extortionists start harassing our local musicians, bands and DJs under flimsy excuses and go on to finish our music scene permanently, the Goa government should somehow step in and try to resolve the above matter at the very earliest. Hope better sense prevails.
