The Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) is a not-for-profit organization that manages the intellectual property rights of music creators, including composers, lyricists (authors), and publishers in India. Founded on August 23, 1969, IPRS is registered as a Copyright Society under the Copyright Act of 1957, making it the sole authorized body to issue licenses for the use of copyrighted musical works and literary music in India. Its core mission revolves around licensing, royalty collection, advocacy, and supporting music creators across the country.
Issuing Licenses for Music Use
One of the primary roles of IPRS is issuing licenses to music users, allowing them to legally use copyrighted works in public performances, broadcasts, and other commercial activities. Music users include television networks, radio stations, event organizers, hotels, and digital platforms. The IPRS ensures that these entities acquire the proper licenses to use copyrighted music, ensuring creators are compensated for their work. This process is essential to protecting the financial and legal interests of the creators, publishers, and those who hold the publishing rights.
Royalty Collection and Distribution
Another critical function of the IPRS is collecting royalties on behalf of its members. Once a license is issued to a music user, IPRS tracks the usage and collects royalties from the user for the music played. These royalties are then distributed to IPRS members, which include composers, authors, and music publishers. The royalties are split based on the contributions of each stakeholder. After deducting administrative costs, IPRS ensures that composers (music directors), authors (lyricists), and publishers are fairly compensated for the use of their musical and literary works.
Advocacy for Intellectual Property Rights
In addition to managing licenses and royalties, IPRS plays a key role in advocating for the fair use of intellectual property in the music industry. The society actively promotes awareness about copyright laws and the importance of respecting creators’ rights. Through public campaigns and industry initiatives, IPRS works to ensure that creators are not only recognized for their contributions but are also paid for the use of their works. IPRS’s advocacy also helps to protect members’ rights in the digital space, ensuring their music is not used without proper authorization on digital platforms like streaming services and social media.
Providing Support to Artists in Need
The IPRS goes beyond its role in managing copyright by providing support to artists in need, particularly those requiring financial or medical assistance. This initiative highlights the organization’s dedication to its members’ welfare, ensuring that creators, who often face financial uncertainty, have access to help when required.
IPRS functions as a collective management organization representing the rights of composers, authors, and publishers in India. Its licensing system allows music users to gain legal access to copyrighted works, while its royalty collection mechanism ensures that creators are compensated for the use of their works. By bridging the gap between creators and users, IPRS provides an essential service in the Indian music industry, ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from the proper use of copyrighted material.
The organization’s membership consists of authors (lyricists), composers (music directors), and publishers (music companies or those holding publishing rights). Collectively, these members own the rights to their musical and literary works. Through its sophisticated royalty collection and distribution system, IPRS helps members earn revenue from various sources, including public performances, radio and TV broadcasts, digital streaming platforms, and live events.
IPRS’s governance structure is managed by a Governing Council of Directors, elected by its members. The Council includes equal representation from authors, composers, and publishers, ensuring a balanced approach to decision-making. This democratic system enables members to have a voice in the administration of the organization and ensures that the needs of all stakeholders are addressed. The current Chairman of the Governing Council is acclaimed lyricist Mr. Javed Akhtar, who represents the interests of authors in the music industry.
IPRS operates from its Registered and Corporate Office in Mumbai, with branch offices in key Indian cities such as Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata. These branches help to streamline the organization’s licensing and royalty collection activities across India, providing widespread access to IPRS’s services for music creators and users alike.
The journey of IPRS has been one marked by both challenges and achievements. At the time of its founding, there was significant confusion about music copyright in India. Music creators and users alike were unfamiliar with the concept of copyright ownership, performing rights, and the need for licensing. This lack of awareness made it difficult for IPRS to enforce its policies in its early years.
However, the leadership of visionaries like Mr. M. B. Srinivasan, a renowned South Indian composer, helped mobilize IPRS members to take greater control of the organization’s management. Over the years, IPRS has weathered numerous challenges to become the authoritative body it is today. In the 1990s, the organization underwent significant changes when it brought in a team of young professionals to modernize its operations. This injection of new talent helped IPRS become more efficient and responsive to the needs of its members.
Today, IPRS is widely recognized as the sole body authorized to issue licenses for the use of copyrighted music and literary works in India. It continues to play a crucial role in promoting awareness about copyright law, ensuring that music creators receive the royalties they are entitled to, and protecting the rights of composers, lyricists, and publishers across the country.
IPRS’s long-standing commitment to its members has made it an indispensable part of the Indian music ecosystem. Its efforts to promote copyright protection, combined with its dedication to supporting the welfare of music creators, have positioned IPRS as a key player in ensuring the sustainability of music in India.
Mr. Mahesh Vishnu Kadam – Manager Licencing (Mumbai & Corporate) western region & northern
Email id: mahesh.kadam@iprs.org
Mobile: +91 8097539938
Mr. Vishal Jhodge – Regional Manager – West
Email id: vishal.jhodge@iprs.org
Mobile: +91 8097539962
Mr. Prasenjit Roy – Manager – Eastern Region
Email id: prasenjit.roy@iprs.org
Mobile: +91 8097539982
Mr. Rakshit Talwar – Dy. General Manager – North , Events & Airlines Email id: rakshit.talwar@iprs.org
Mobile: +91 8097539872
Mr. Neeraj Kumar Srivastava – Manager – Licencing (Corporate-North & Rajasthan)
Email id: neeraj.srivastava@iprs.org
Mobile: +91 8097539873
Mr. Rajanna K.T. – Manager – Events Karnataka
Email id: rajanna.kt@iprs.org
Mobile: +91 9241770282
The Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) is a not-for-profit organization managing the rights of music composers, lyricists (authors), and publishers in India. IPRS issues licenses for public performances and broadcasts of music, collects royalties from music users, and distributes them to its members after deducting administrative costs. It also advocates for fair intellectual property rights and supports music creators in need of medical or financial assistance.
IPRS has various tariff schemes based on the type of music usage. These include categories like AM (Arcades and Multiplexes), AP (Amusement Parks), RB (Restaurants and Bars), PD (Pubs and Discos), RDB (Radio Broadcast), LP (Live/DJ Music), and LSE (Live Streaming of Online Events). As of October 1, 2021, the GST rate applicable on all IPRS tariff schemes increased to 18%. These tariffs ensure proper licensing and royalty distribution to music creators.
Tariff Schemes
Tariff Schemes : Change in the rate of GST to 18% w.e.f. 01.10.2021 https://iprs.org/tariffs/#
IPRS collects royalties from licensed music users such as television networks, radio stations, event organizers, and digital platforms. The collected royalties are then distributed to its members, which include composers, authors, and publishers of music. Royalties are distributed after deducting IPRS’s administrative costs, and the allocation is based on the usage of each creator's musical works.
IPRS issues licenses to entities that use copyrighted music for public performances, broadcasts, or commercial purposes. License types vary depending on usage, including live performances (LP), internet streaming (INTB, INTR), retail premises (RTL), restaurants and bars (RB), and television satellite broadcasts (SB). These licenses are essential for ensuring legal use of copyrighted music and compensating creators for their work.
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