Bombay High Court upholds the rights of IPRS on music royalties

In the case of The Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS) against private FM radio broadcasters, the Bombay High Court granted that the broadcast of music by FM radio broadcasters required the payment of royalties. 

 

With this grant, IPRS will be allowed to collect royalties for musical composers and lyricists. 

 

Composers of literary and musical works will be entitled to claim royalties on each occasion that such sound recordings are communicated to the public through radio stations.

 

Javed Akhtar, chairperson, IPRS, said, “I am delighted that the honourable Bombay High Court has seen fit to uphold and protect the rights of authors and composers whose creations have enthralled and inspired Indians and the world for decades. This is long due especially since Indian music has reverberated across the world including Natu Natu composed by M M Keeravaani and authored by Kanukuntla Subhash Chandrabose.  All the authors and composer members of IPRS thank the Hon’ble Bombay High Court for this landmark judgement and its well-reasoned analysis recognising the change in the law since 2012. This forward-looking and exemplary judgement places the creator back at the heart of copyright creation which will serve as a great incentive for artistes, the music industry and for the creation of copyright in India”.

 

Rakesh Nigam, CEO, IPRS, said, “This is a landmark judgement. IPRS thanks the Hon’ble Court for protecting the rights of authors and composers who are its member. IPRS calls upon all users who exploit music without an IPRS licence to come forward in the spirit of legal compliance and to support creators in India. On its part, IPRS will continue to espouse the cause of authors and composers by building long-lasting partnerships with our licensees."