Mumbai: Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS), the copyright society in India, has announced its association with international music publisher Kobalt.
Kobalt is the first international publisher to sign with IPRS since its re-admittance into the International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies (CISAC) as a full member in December 2018. The company has entered the Indian music publishing market via a sub-publishing deal with Turnkey Music & Publishing Pvt Ltd.
IPRS will administer both the performing and mechanical rights of the international catalogues signed to it, which means that all rights licensed to audio streaming services, FM and AM radio, and public performance can be licensed in totality. For synchronisation licenses to television and OTT audio-visual platforms, the publishers will continue to issue licenses, the organisation said in a statement on Monday.
Speaking on the development, Turnkey Music & Publishing Pvt Ltd's MD, which represents Kobalt’s catalogue in India, Atul Churamani, said, "This has taken a long time coming and we are delighted that finally the IPRS is administering the international works we represent for India. You can't be a publisher of foreign works in any country and not be a part of the performing rights society. This association will open up revenue streams for the Kobalt, Fairwood, and other catalogues that we represent."
IPRS CEO Rakesh Nigam said, “We are very glad to have an international publisher like Kobalt onboard. With international publishers joining us it would help us enhance the valuation for all the stakeholders, including them. The streaming platforms have witnessed an upsurge in the consumption of international content. With associations similar to the one we have entered into with Kobalt, IPRS will now be able to derive the desired value for the international works in India as so far we haven’t been licensed to do so” he further added “We are open for negotiations with publishers to suit the needs. IPRS would like to sit across the table, come to an agreement and then make the necessary adjustments or changes as required.”
Kobalt Music Publishing Limited represents over 25,000 songwriters, 600 publishers, and 20,000 independent artists like Dua Lipa, The Weekend, Marshmello, Diplo, Childish Gambino, Dave Grohl, the Foo Fighters, Enrique Iglesias, Lauv, Pitbull, and Lewis Capaldi as well as legends like Paul Mc. Cartney, Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks, and Max Martin.
