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The Indian Performing Right Society Limited or “IPRS” is a Copyright Society registered by the Central Government under Chapter VII of the Copyright Act, 1957. In essence IPRS is an Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers of musical works and literary works associated with such musical works. From a legal constitution perspective, IPRS which came in existence in 1969 as a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered under the Companies Act, 1956 and is a non-profit making body.

IPRS administers rights in respect of Musical Works (i.e. musical compositions/tunes/melodies) and literary works (i.e. lyrics) associated with musical works.

The Company’s policy is controlled by its Membership Body which elects a Governing Council of Directors elected by the members at General Meetings from among their own number. This Council comprises equal number of Music Publishers and Author / Composer. The Council is answerable to the Membership of IPRS.

The Management, appointed by the Governing Council which oversees the day-to-day functioning of IPRS is headed by the Chief Executive Officer, who is assisted by staff members all over the country. The Company’s Head Office is in Mumbai. In addition to the Head office the Company administers its operations from branch offices all over India in Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata etc.

The Indian Performing Right Society Limited or “IPRS” is a Copyright Society registered by the Central Government under Chapter VII of the Copyright Act, 1957. In essence IPRS is an Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers of musical works and literary works associated with such musical works. From a legal constitution perspective, IPRS which came in existence in 1969 as a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered under the Companies Act, 1956 and is a non-profit making body.

The Copyright Act, 1957, provides that among the exclusive rights granted to owners of rights in respect of their works are the following loosely described rights: – (i) the right to perform the work in public; (ii) the right to communicate the work by broadcast; (iii) the right to communicate the broadcast of the work to the public by a loud speaker; (iv) the right to communicate the broadcast of the work to the public by any instrument; (v) the right to make any record in respect of the work. The first four rights are generally referred to in the Industry by the single expression ‘Performing Rights’, and the last right is referred to as ‘Mechanical Rights’, and are administered on behalf of its members by the IPRS as assigned. The expression ‘Performing Right’, means and includes the right of performing in public, making available including broadcasting and causing to be transmitted to users/subscribers of a diffusion service in all parts of the world, by any means and in any manner whatsoever, all musical works or parts thereof and such words and parts thereof (if any) as are associated therewith (i.e. lyrics), including the vocal and instrumental music in cinematograph films, the words and/or music of monologues having musical introduction, and/or accompaniment, and the musical accompaniment of non-musical plays, dramatic-o-musical works including operas, operettas, Musical plays, revues or pantomimes and ballets, video, plays, serials, documentaries, dramas, commentaries etc. accompanied by music and the right of authorizing any of the said Acts. The expression ‘Mechanical Right’, means and includes the right of reproduction and storage including in any electronic format. This also includes works stored or reproduced on the recordings of all musical works or parts thereof and such words and parts thereof (if any), and ‘recording’ includes without limitation to the generality of the expression the aggregate of sounds embodied in records, discs, tapes and cartridges of all kinds. Including digital copies of such recordings.

IPRS member classes comprise of Authors i.e. Lyricists and Music Composers as well as Publishers (i.e., music labels, music publishers and film producers).

(a) Access the membership form available on the IPRS website at – Click Here;
(b) Members can also choose to fill in the online membership form at –Click Here;
(c) Fill in, execute the Form and provide information and documents as detailed on –Click Here;
(d) File the application with IPRS and pay applicable fee;
(e) IPRS Membership Committee with the membership team will scrutinize the application and details;
(f) Completed and scrutinized forms are considered and accepted/ rejected by the Board on recommendation of the Committee and CEO;
(g) The Board’s decision on acceptance is ratified by the membership of IPRS at its Annual AGM.

IPRS administers rights in respect of Musical Works (i.e. musical compositions/tunes/melodies) and literary works (i.e. lyrics) associated with musical works.