Singers and music labels come together for long-awaited agreement on royalty
The Indian Music Industry (IMI), the apex body representing all music labels in India, and the Indian Singers Rights Association (ISRA), the apex body representing all singers in the country, have signed an agreement between member labels of ISRA and IMI. As a result of this, pact, all record labels, singers and musicians will be greatly benefitted, at pan India level, and get royalties at much higher levels than at present.
IMI and ISRA express their heartfelt gratitude to India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Textiles, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mr. Piyush Goyal, for unconditionally extending all possible help to all the artistes associated with the music sector and the entire music world. It took almost four years and endless meetings between the Minister, singers and music companies. While it is a cause for celebration, as was witnessed at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, yesterday, the Indian music industry adds a word of caution and appeals to the Government of India to help combat the menace of digital piracy and copyright infringement.
Expressing his happiness, President of ISRA, Padma Shri Anup Jalota (playback, ghazal and bhajan singer) said, “I would like to thank the Government of India, especially Mr. Piyush Goyal, without whose help this contract would not have materialised.”
Vikram Mehra, President, IMI and Managing Director, Saregama (music company), said, “India is also recognised globally for its musical diversity. If the Indian music industry has to gain a foothold in the world, it is important that all stakeholders work together, to achieve this goal. We’ve all seen the positive results of working with musicians, songwriters and publishers. I’m sure the results will be just as positive when performers and sound recording owners work together.”
Mr. Sanjay Tandon, Founder, Director & CEO, Indian Singers Rights Associations (ISRA) said, “It gives me immense pleasure to see that record labels and all artistes are finally making a concerted effort. This will greatly benefit the music industry. A lot will be achieved, and the industry will get the status it deserves. This historic agreement is great news for all.”
Speaking on the occasion, Blaise Fernandes, President & CEO, Indian Music Industry, said, “This historic agreement will go a long way in helping the Indian music industry to become one of the 10 largest music industries in the world. If we all work towards the same goal, then the results will be good, and this has been happening all over the world.”
During the press get-together, it was revealed that USA generates 50 times more revenue from music than India, although we are a much bigger nation and music has a special place in many more persons’ hearts that in the USA. It was also mentioned that hotels are loathe to pay royalty for the use of recorded music. One music company had expressed the view that since singers expect better royalty from music companies, they should, in turn, pay the music company royalty, for the songs they perform in concerts.
ISRA’s Board of Advisors includes playback singer Asha Bhosle, who was to attend the event, but pulled out at the last moment as she was feeling feverish. One must remember she will turn 90 this year. The legendary Lata Mangeshkar, Asha’s older sister, who headed ISRA when it was founded, is no more. Others from the Board of Advisors and Board of Directors who were spotted included Talat Aziz, Alka Yagnik, A. Hariharan and Kumar Sanu. Also present were two old friends of mine, Shailendra Singh and Udit Narayan. One of the earliest to arrive was Anuradha Paudval. Singer Sonu Nigam often joined Sanjay Tandon and Anup Jalota in the talks with the Minister, who is based in New Delhi, while most of the singers and music companies are Mumbai-based.
Many other famous singers attended the event.
About IMI:
The Indian Music Industry (IMI) is the apex body, representing the interests of the music industry in India. IMI aims to further strengthen the roots of the Indian music industry and nurture and preserve the Indian musical traditions. In a variety of ways, IMI ensures that copyrights in music are properly assessed and not infringed. IMI is fully committed to the enforcement of copyright laws on a pan-India basis. IMI is registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961.
About ISRA: https://isracopyright.com/
Indian Singers Rights Association (ISRA) is a copyright society registered under the Copyright Act of 1957, with the Central Government. It is fully committed to collect appropriate royalty for singers, to perform copyright related work related to the performing rights of singers and to ensure the rights of singers at all India level. It is an apex body, formed to protect the interests of all the performers in India.
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