Unlocking Your Publishing Royalties: The IPRS Roadmap
Many independent artists release music and collect streaming royalties, but completely miss out on publishing royalties. In India, whenever your song is broadcast on TV, played on the radio, performed in public venues, or streamed online, you are entitled to performance and mechanical royalties. The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) is the government-authorized collective rights organization that collects and distributes these royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers. Here is how you can register and collect what you're owed.
Why Registering is Essential
- IPRS is the only legally recognized body in India that collects publishing royalties on your behalf.
- It ensures that both authors/composers and publishers receive their fair 50/50 splits.
- Protects your intellectual property from unauthorized synchronization or public broadcasts.
1. Understanding Performance vs. Mechanical Royalties
To understand what IPRS collects, you need to understand the two core types of publishing royalties:
- Performance Royalties: Paid to composers and writers when a musical work is played in public, broadcast on radio/TV, or streamed digitally.
- Mechanical Royalties: Paid when a song is physically or digitally reproduced (such as file downloads and interactive streaming plays).
2. How to Join and Register Your Works
To register with IPRS as an independent writer/composer:
- Go to the official IPRS website and fill out the online membership registration form.
- Submit your identification documents (PAN, Aadhaar) along with your bank account details.
- Provide work registration documents (Split Sheets) signed by all contributors to establish composer and lyricist percentages.
- Once your membership is approved, log into the portal and register your catalog by submitting the ISRCs and song titles.
3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does my music distributor collect IPRS royalties?
A: No. Music distributors collect sound recording royalties (master rights). IPRS collects publishing royalties (composition rights). You must belong to IPRS to collect publishing revenue.
Q: Can I register with IPRS if I am an independent artist?
A: Yes. Any independent writer, composer, or publisher can join IPRS by submitting proof of their released catalog.
Q: How often does IPRS distribute royalty payouts?
A: IPRS distributes royalties quarterly, based on usage logs received from TV networks, radio stations, and digital platforms.