CISAC Annual Report 2023: Empowering Creators and Building a Promising Future for Collective Management
CISAC recently published its 2023 Annual Report, providing a comprehensive overview of its works to support 227 member CMOs across the globe. The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers is an international not-for-profit organisation that aims to protect the rights and promote the interests of creators worldwide. The report covers an array of initiatives and campaigns undertaken along with the new strategies for the future.
In its annual report, CISAC has highlighted IPRS achievements and commendable growth since its re-admission to CISAC membership in December 2018. Collections rose from INR 47 crores to INR 310 crores between 2018 and 2022 (+525%) while membership doubled to 9,000 members. There have been more representation agreements with foreign CMOs, new monthly and quarterly distribution timetables, and deals with TV broadcasters. IPRS is currently ranking fifth highest in terms of collection in the Asia-Pacific region. Though IPRS continues to face considerable licensing challenges with many major users, including local streaming services, OTT players, major broadcasters, and radio stations, the collaboration has helped IPRS realize its potential in the Indian market, with further growth expected. Today IPRS stands as a beacon of progress, emphasizing continuous improvement, collaboration, and advocacy.
Every day authors, composers, and music makers see their work improperly valued because of negligible royalties, infringement of rights, and poor data systems. Hence the pressure on music copyright societies like IPRS today is growing more than ever before. Digital is driving large-scale investment in new technology. Competition is far more intense across the sector and the traditional principles of the collective management system are being questioned by new commercial entities. These are just a few of the multiple challenges posed by the new era of music.
Commenting on the role of CISAC and its CMOs, Björn Ulvaeus, President of CISAC mentioned, “In meetings this year, I have witnessed the respect that CISAC and its members command at the highest levels of government. It’s important to know where that respect comes from: it is because CISAC and its societies are the only bodies that exclusively look after the creator. Companies come and go, catalogues get acquired, and professionals you have a relationship with move on, but there is always one constant — it is the CMOs. It is they whose sole and overarching task is to be a loyal and transparent partner for the creator at all times.”
Through all the activities captured in the report, CISAC along with its member CMOs like IPRS is helping build a promising future for collective management societies and the creators they represent. A future that is more adaptive, resilient, and committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for the members.
The Report is available to download here –
https://www.iprs.org/wp-content/uploads/CISAC-Annual-Report-2023.pdf
