In a major development for India’s music industry, the government has granted registration to Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL India) as a Copyright Society under the Copyright Act, 1957.
The registration provides a formal legal framework for the licencing and administration of sound recording rights in India and is expected to bring greater clarity for businesses that use recorded music commercially.
Established in 1941, PPL India is an 85-year-old not-for-profit organisation that represents around 500 music labels, including leading Indian and international companies such as T-Series, Sony Music, Universal Music, Times Music, Lahari Music, Aditya Music and Global Rhythms.
PPL manages one of the world’s largest catalogues of sound recordings and licenses the public performance and communication of music across hotels, restaurants, retail stores, offices, shopping malls, events, radio stations and other commercial establishments.
The organisation operates on a not-for-profit basis and distributes royalty collections, after deducting administrative expenses, to copyright owners and artists in line with applicable laws and distribution rules.
The registration is seen as an important step for copyright owners and artists, as it settles long-standing questions around PPL’s legal status.
According to PPL, several businesses had previously withheld licence fee payments on the grounds that the organisation was not registered as a Copyright Society. As a result, music labels and artists represented by PPL were unable to receive royalties from the commercial use of their music.
With the registration now in place, PPL expects businesses using copyrighted sound recordings without authorisation to obtain the necessary licences and pay applicable fees, helping ensure that royalties reach rights holders and artists.
Commenting on the development, GB Aayeer, CEO of PPL India, said, “The grant of Copyright Society registration is a significant milestone for PPL India and the music labels we represent. We thank the Government of India and DPIIT for their trust and recognition. We remain committed to transparent and efficient rights management, enhancing licensing processes, and ensuring fair rewards for rights holders and creators.”
Mandar Thakur, Chairman of PPL India, said the registration strengthens the framework for collective administration of sound recording rights in India and provides music users with a transparent and efficient mechanism to obtain licences and comply with copyright laws.
He added that the move marks an important milestone for the Indian music industry and thanked the PPL Board and the Indian Music Industry (IMI) for their support in achieving the registration.