Public Notices
FAQs
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What does the term “Work” mean in Copyright law?
Copyright is a statutory right i.e. a right granted by a law passed by Parliament. The Copyright Act, 1957 India recognises some specific works namely-
(a) Original literary, artistic, musical and dramatic works;
(b) Sound Recordings
(c) Cinematograph films -
What must I do to “Copyright” my Work?
Nothing! According to the law in India the Copyright in your work belongs to you by reason of the fact that you created or “made” that work. In some other countries the law requires that you shall conform to certain requirements such as registration and the payment of a fee, but in India the recognition of your copyright is automatic as soon as your work has been “made” i.e. comes into existence, and that means as soon as it has been reduced to writing or some other material form.
You should note that Copyright does not protect “ideas” but only protects the expression i.e., when something like a story, script, lyrics have been reproduced in some tangible, perceptible form like a manuscript or a record. India is also unique when it comes to musical compositions, because the Copyright Act, 1957 in India does not require a musical composition or be in writing (or graphically notated) for it to be recognised as a ‘work’ under the law.
There is, however, an important condition: Your work must be original, and not an unauthorised copy of someone else’s copyright work. -
What does the term “Copyright” mean?
The copyright in the work (in the context of IPRS, these works are Literary Works (i.e. Lyrics) and Musical Works (musical composition i.e. the tune/ melody) means that you as an owner have the exclusive right to do certain things with that work, or to authorise anyone else to do them. They are the following:
(i) Reproduce the work in any material form;
(ii) Perform the work in public;
(iii) Produce, reproduce, perform or publish any translation of the work;
(iv) Make any cinematograph film in respect of the work;
(v) Make any sound recording in respect of the work;
(vi) To communicate the work by broadcast or to communicate to the public by any means;
(vii) Make any adaptation or translation of the work;IPRS is at all times happy to assist its members with advice and guidance in their copyright problems.
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What is The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS)?
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.
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How is IPRS authorised to grant licenses and / or collect royalties as a Copyright Society in India?
IPRS is a copyright society registered by the Central Government under Section 33 of the Copyright Act, 1957. The Central Government granted a conditional registration in favour of IPRS as a Copyright Society with effect from November 28, 2017, which was confirmed vide Certificate dated June 8, 2018, in continuation and supersession of the November 2017 certificate. This registration is valid for a period of 5 years from such date of registration. A copy of the Certificate of Registration of IPRS is available at – http://test.iprs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Member-Application-Form.pdf.
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What Works does IPRS administer?
IPRS administers rights in respect of Musical Works (i.e. musical compositions/tunes/melodies) and literary works (i.e. lyrics) associated with musical works.
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Who runs IPRS?
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. -
What is The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS)?
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.
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What Rights does IPRS administer?
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.
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Who are the members of IPRS?
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).
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How can Authors, Composers or Publishers apply to become members of IPRS?
(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. -
What Works does IPRS administer?
IPRS administers rights in respect of Musical Works (i.e. musical compositions/tunes/melodies) and literary works (i.e. lyrics) associated with musical works.