Indian Music Industry sees record royalty distribution of 600 CR
In a landmark moment for India’s music industry, the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) reported a historic royalty distribution of over 600 crore in the financial year 2024–25—the highest in its history. This achievement was disclosed to TOI following a closed-door roundtable hosted by the non-profit at a five-star hotel in Juhu. The event featured Sylvie Forbin, Deputy Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Copyright and Creative Industries Sector, alongside key industry stakeholders.
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Javed Akhtar Advocates Stronger IP Laws for a Thriving Music Industry
Veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar emphasizes the need for stronger intellectual property (IP) laws to secure the financial stability of artists. Addressing the IP and Music conference, Akhtar argues that economic security allows artists to freely express creativity, benefiting the entire music industry. Government and industry leaders discuss new initiatives and partnerships.
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Ministry of Culture set to sign MoUs with Spotify & YouTube to promote folk & traditional music
The Ministry of Culture is set to sign MoUs with Spotify and YouTube to promote folk and traditional music, said Secretary Vivek Aggarwal at the FICCI conference ‘IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP’ on Tuesday. “We are in discussions with Spotify and YouTube to sign MoUs promoting folk and traditional music that currently lacks commercial market presence,” Aggarwal said.
Artists security important for the security of music industry: Javed Akhtar on importance of IP laws
An artist should have the freedom to refuse the work they don’t want to do and that’s only possible when they are financially secure, said veteran screenwriter and poet Javed Akhtar on Tuesday highlighting the importance of intellectual property (IP) laws.
Akhtar, who also serves as the chairperson of the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), said when the artist is secured, it will reflect on the overall state of the Indian music industry. The lyricist, credited for songs such as “DekhaEkKhwaab”, “EkLadkiKoDekhaTohAisaLaga”, “Ghar Se Nikalte Hi”, and “Dard-e-Disco”, said the shelf life of music is “reducing by the day” all over the world today.
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Shaji N Karun: The master storyteller who gave Malayalam cinema its global voice
In ‘Vanaprastham: The Last Dance’ (1999), Mohanlal delivered one of the finest performances of his career as Kunhikuttan, a famous Kathakali dancer. The opening scene has no dialogue – just a man, wrapped in a blanket and a bottle rolling over beside him. ‘Vanaprastham’ remains not only a career-defining film for Mohanlal but also one of Malayalam cinema’s greatest cinematic treasures. Directed by Shaji N Karun, it is a masterclass in acting, cinematography, music (composed by UstadZakir Hussain) and storytelling.
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Inspiration or imitation? Copyright battles rage in the copy-paste age
Earlier this month, a Delhi gallery quietly exhibited a painting by artist Anita Dube featuring lines from poet-activist Aamir Aziz’s protest poem ‘Sab YaadRakhaJayega’. The words rang loud, but the poet’s name didn’t. These weren’t anonymous verses floating through the internet. Aziz’s poem has been performed widely since 2019, and even read aloud by Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters at a global protest. According to Aziz, the lines were used without his “knowledge, consent, credit or compensation”. After a public backlash, Dube issued a statement acknowledging the “ethical lapse”.
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