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New Delhi, November 22, 2019: The Indian Music Industry (IMI), in association with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), organised a seminar on Digital Piracy yesterday on November 21, 2019. The objective of the seminar was to discuss pertinent issues relating to digital piracy including intermediary liabilities and preventive measures to effectively tackle digital piracy. The Keynote addresses were given by Mr. Narendra Sabharwal, Chair, FICCI IPR Committee and Former Deputy Director General, WIPO, and Mr. Lauri Rechardt, Chief Legal Officer, IFPI. Dr. David Price, Director of Consumer Insight and Analysis, IFPI, presented on the Music Listening and Piracy habits of consumers in India, in comparison to global trends. Ms. Jenny Wong, Asia Regional Director, IFPI discussed China’s “Sword Net Action” measures to deal with digital piracy and the implementation of similar administrative website-blocking measures in India. The first panel discussion on “Preventive Measures Now and Going Forward: The Best Possible Scenario” saw participation from different stakeholders in the music industry in India including Mr. Amarjit Singh Batra, Managing Director, Spotify India; Ms. Oindrila Maitra, Director (Legal and Business Affairs), Jio Saavn; Mr. David Price, Director, Consumer – Director of Insight and Analysis; Mr. Sanjay Tandon, CEO, ISRA; and Mr. Raju Singh, Board Member, Music Composers’ Association and IPRS. Moderated by Mr. Vipul Maheshwari, Co-Chair, FICCI IPR Committee, the key preventive measures identified by the panellists to prevent digital piracy included legislative frameworks that introduce stringent penalties and enforcement guidelines that discourage users from engaging with pirated sources to access music, educating users about the already available free music streaming channels, which also offer personalized user experience, as an alternate to pirated means of consuming music. The panellists concluded by emphasising on the need for collective effort from all stakeholders in the music industry to fight against digital piracy.

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New Delhi, October 17, 2019: The Esya Centre, a think-tank that researches issues which lie at the intersection of technology and policy, organised a Roundtable discussion on radio broadcasting today.
Participants included Dr Megha Patnaik, Fellow, Esya Centre and Assistant Professor, Indian Statistical Institute. Dr Mark Schultz, Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company Endowed Chair in Intellectual Property Law and Director, Intellectual Property and Technology Law Program, University of Akron School of Law, also spoke at the event.
The Roundtable was organised to discuss regulatory issues that hamper the growth of India’s radio industry. FM radio accounts for 22 percent of music listening time across platforms (TV, Internet and Internet streaming) but accounts for less than three percent of total industry revenues. India has 369 private radio stations which earn Rs 3100 crore annually. Yet, they pay only Rs 60 crore to the music industry.
In this context, it becomes imperative to revisit rules and regulations that were framed when the radio industry was in its infancy.

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The NLSIU-IMI Roundtable on Unlocking Fair Value to Stakeholders took place in National Law School of India University (“NLSIU”) on September 5, 2019.

The Roundtable consisted of stakeholders from the Media and Entertainment industry in India, including esteemed experts from International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (“IFPI”), the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. Mr. G.R. Raghavendra, Joint Secretary, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, graced the Roundtable as the Chief Guest. The welcome address was given by Professor T Ramakrishna, Professor of Law, Chair Professor (IPR), NLSIU. Mr. Lauri Rechardt, Chief Legal Officer, IFPI was the Guest of Honour of the NLSIU-IMI Roundtable. In his inaugural address, Mr. G.R. Raghavendra, gave his insights into the reasons for introduction of Statutory Licensing in India. He stated- “Statutory licensing is not a permanent phenomenon, it was only a temporary support to the industry to stand; it can be taken back “.  Mr. Blaise Fernandes set the road-map of the event by identifying the hurdles to achieving fair value for the recorded music industry in India.

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24 September 2019 – IMI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry in India, today released the Digital Music Study 2019, which examines the ways in which music consumers aged 16 – 64 engage with recorded music in India.

Report highlights:

• Music listening is up. Respondents typically spend 19.1 hours per week listening to music – higher than the global average of 18 hours. This equates to about 2.7 hours – or the equivalent of listening to 54 three-minute songs – daily.

• Most people (80%) identify as ‘loving’ or being ‘fanatical’ about music. Much higher than the global average of 54%.

• Older age groups increasingly embrace audio streaming services. Engagement with audio streaming in India is strong, with 90% of all respondents accessing a music streaming service in the past month – up by about 7% over 2018. The highest rate of growth for engagement is in the 16 – 24-year-old age group, with 97% of that group accessing a music streaming service in the past month (+10% on 2018).

• Copyright infringement remains a challenge for the music ecosystem. 67% of all surveyed used unlicensed methods to listen to or obtain music in the past month, while 63% used illegal stream ripping services – the leading form of music piracy.

Commenting on the findings in the report, Mr Aditya Gupta- Director, Aditya Music, said, “Thanks to cheap data and smartphone penetration Music consumption in India is growing regionally. The growth rate will be higher in the regional segment due to a low smartphone base. The increase in consumption of catalogues of music in languages also serves as a reminder of the diversity of India and reaffirms our belief that regional music is the new champion of India’s soft power.”

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STRICTLY EMBARGOED, 13:00 UK BST, 2^nd April 2019 – The global recorded music market grew by 9.7% in 2018, the fourth consecutive year of growth, according to IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide. Figures released today in IFPI’s Global Music Report 2019 show total revenues for 2018 were US$19.1 billion.

Streaming revenue grew by 34.0% and accounted for almost half (47%) of global revenue, driven by a 32.9% increase in paid subscription streaming. There were 255 million users of paid streaming services at the end of 2018, with paid streaming accounting for 37% of total recorded music revenue. Growth in streaming more than offset a 10.1% decline in physical revenue and a 21.2% decline in download revenue.

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The letter can be found here

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ISRC code? How can I get one for my new song or video?

The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is an international standard code for uniquely identifying sound recordings and music video recordings. ISRC code is increasingly becoming a tool in the fight against piracy. For more information on getting an ISRC in India, please write to supriya@indianmi.org

Who can become an IMI Member?

Any Company / Firm / Person producing sound recordings or music videos, which are available to public in India, are eligible can apply for membership of IMI.

How can I protect my song and register the copyright?

Please visit the Copyright Board’s website to learn more: www.copyright.gov.in

What are Gold/Platinum Certificates?

Please click here for more details.

I have noticed that my music is being used without my permission on pirate sites, how can I take them down?

Please report any copyright infringements to antipiracy@indianmi.org for our Anti-Piracy department to investigate. As the rights owner of your music, you also have the option of sending a Cease & Desist notice to the website where the infringing files are hosted, requesting such files be removed immediately.

I have found a site that I believe is illegally distributing music; where can I report this?

If you suspect that infringing sound recordings are being offered for sale, please e-mail details to antipiracy@indianmi.org 

What are the legitimate platforms to consume music in India?

The IFPI keeps a record of legitimate platforms around the world called Pro Music Database, to learn about legitimate service providers in India, click here.

The letter can be found here