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IPR

Topic 172 Music Industry IP

Topic 172 — Music Industry IP Standalone Deep-Dive

MUSIC INDUSTRY IP encompasses musical compositions (lyrics + melodies), sound recordings, performances, music videos, sheet music, music publishing, audiovisual content, streaming platforms, music software, AI-generated music, and emerging music tech. India's music industry is $400+ million (recorded music 2024); growing rapidly through digital streaming. India is the 14th largest music market globally; 3rd largest by user base. Major streaming platforms: Spotify India, Apple Music India, Amazon Music India, JioSaavn (Reliance), Wynk Music (Bharti Airtel), Gaana, YouTube Music. Major Indian music labels: T-SERIES (Super Cassettes Industries — largest Indian music label; 240+ million YouTube subscribers world's most-subscribed channel); SONY MUSIC INDIA, UNIVERSAL MUSIC INDIA, WARNER MUSIC INDIA, ZEE MUSIC, EROS NOW, ASIAVISION. Music has UNIQUE IP architecture — multiple layered rights for SAME MUSICAL WORK: (1) UNDERLYING COMPOSITION (lyrics + melody) — Section 13(1)(a) literary + musical work; (2) SOUND RECORDING — Section 13(1)(c) separate copyright; (3) PERFORMANCE — Section 38, 38A, 38B performers' rights (2012 Amendment); (4) AUDIOVISUAL — Section 13(1)(b) cinematograph for music videos. The 2012 COPYRIGHT AMENDMENT was MAJOR REFORM — introduced strong performers' rights, statutory licensing for radio/TV (Section 31D), prohibited assignment of authors' rights for un-existing media (Section 18(1) proviso), addressed accessible format conversion (Marrakesh framework). Recent landmark cases: SUPER CASSETTES v. ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK (Radio Mirchi case 2008) — broadcasting rights framework; INDIAN PERFORMING RIGHTS SOCIETY v. ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK (2003) — author royalties; INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF SOCIETIES OF AUTHORS AND COMPOSERS (CISAC) involvement; RECENT STREAMING DISPUTES — Spotify-Warner-Saregama negotiations. AI MUSIC FRAMEWORK emerging — Stephen Thaler 2025 (AI authorship rejected); ANI v. OpenAI 2024 (relevant for AI music training). India is member of BERNE CONVENTION (1928); ROME CONVENTION 1961 (NOT member); WCT/WPPT (NOT member); BEIJING TREATY 2012 (member 2020). The Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) is the major COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (CMO) for music. PHONOGRAPHIC PERFORMANCE LIMITED (PPL) for sound recording rights. Ed Sheeran-Akshay Kumar settlement 2018; Ilaiyaraaja vs. Echo Recording 2019; multiple Bollywood music disputes. This topic walks through every aspect of music IP — composition + recording + performance rights, statutory licensing, CMOs, AI music, streaming, and recent reforms.

1. Indian Music Industry Foundational Framework

A. Industry Scale + Strategic Importance

✅ India's Music Industry

GLOBAL POSITIONING: · $400M+ recorded music (2024). · 14th largest music market globally. · 3rd largest by user base. · Rapid streaming growth. · Bollywood + regional dominance. · Major film music export. MAJOR LABELS: INDIAN: · T-Series (Super Cassettes Industries — largest). · Sony Music India. · Universal Music India. · Warner Music India. · Zee Music. · Eros Now. · Saregama (oldest Indian label; HMV brand). · Tips Music. · Times Music. · Aditya Music. · Asiavision. INTERNATIONAL CHAINS IN INDIA: · Sony Music India. · Universal Music India. · Warner Music India. STREAMING PLATFORMS: · Spotify India. · Apple Music India. · Amazon Music India. · JioSaavn (Reliance). · Wynk Music (Bharti Airtel). · Gaana. · YouTube Music. · Hungama. KEY SEGMENTS: · Bollywood music. · Regional film music. · Independent + indie music. · Classical music. · Devotional music. · Folk music. · Pop + non-film music. · Background scores. · Rapping + hip-hop (rapidly growing). · Music videos. · Live music + concerts. STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE: · Cultural export. · Foreign exchange. · Employment. · Cultural diplomacy. · Soft power. · Bollywood ecosystem support.

2. Multi-Layered Music IP Framework

A. Layered Music Rights

✅ Music IP Layers — Same Musical Work

LAYER 1: UNDERLYING COMPOSITION · Lyrics — Section 13(1)(a) — literary work. · Melody — Section 13(1)(a) — musical work. · Composer + lyricist = co-authors. · Section 22 — Term: life + 60 years (joint author until last dies + 60 years). LAYER 2: SOUND RECORDING · Section 13(1)(c) — separate copyright. · Producer = first owner (subject to assignment). · Section 27 — Term: 60 years from publication. · Performers consent required (Section 38A). LAYER 3: PERFORMANCE · Section 38 — Performers' rights (2012 Amendment). · Section 38A — Sound recording fixation. · Section 38B — Moral rights. · Term: 50 years from performance. LAYER 4: AUDIOVISUAL · Section 13(1)(b) — cinematograph (music videos). · Section 26 — Term: 60 years. LAYER 5: PUBLISHING · Music publishers handle compositions. · Synchronization licensing. · Mechanical reproduction. · Public performance. LAYER 6: BROADCASTING · Section 37 — Broadcasting rights. · Section 31D — Statutory licensing for radio/TV. LAYER 7: ACCESSIBLE FORMAT · Section 52(1)(zb) — Marrakesh accessible format. · India member 2014. INTEGRATION: · All layers must be cleared. · Producer needs all rights. · Streaming requires all rights. · Synchronization (film/ad) requires all. · Performance (radio/TV/concert) requires all. STRATEGIC NOTE: · "I'M A SONGWRITER" gets composition right. · "I'M A SINGER" gets performance right. · "I'M A PRODUCER" gets sound recording right. · "I'M IN A MUSIC VIDEO" gets cinematograph right. · Film producer needs ALL FOUR.

3. 2012 Copyright Amendment — Music Reforms

A. Major 2012 Reforms

✅ 2012 Copyright Amendment Music Reforms

MAJOR REFORMS: 1. PERFORMERS' RIGHTS · Section 38, 38A, 38B (introduced 2012). · Authors of "performance". · Sound recording fixation rights. · Moral rights. · 50 years from performance. · Cumulative with sound recording right. 2. STATUTORY LICENSING · Section 31D — Radio + TV broadcasting. · Compulsory licensing framework. · Royalty rates determined by Copyright Board (now HC IP Division). · Cross-border framework. 3. PROHIBITION OF UN-EXISTING MEDIA ASSIGNMENT · Section 18(1) proviso — cannot assign rights for media not yet in existence. · Bollywood music industry impact. · Re-distribution of revenues. · Author + lyricist royalties. 4. COPYRIGHT SOCIETY MODERNIZATION · Streamlined CMO framework. · Improved royalty distribution. · IPRS framework strengthened. 5. COMPULSORY LICENSING (Sections 31, 31A, 31B, 31C) · Various scenarios. · Public access framework. · Royalty determination. 6. MARRAKESH FRAMEWORK · Section 52(1)(zb) — accessible format. · India ratified 2014. · Visually impaired beneficiaries. 7. TPMs/RMIs · Section 65A — Technological Protection Measures. · Section 65B — Rights Management Information. · Anti-circumvention framework. 8. AUTHOR ROYALTIES IN FILM MUSIC · Equitable royalty redistribution. · Author/lyricist royalties. · Industry transformation. IMPACT ON BOLLYWOOD: · Composer + lyricist royalties. · Reduced producer leverage. · CMO framework strengthening. · Author rights protection.

B. Statutory Licensing Section 31D

Section 31D Copyright Act 1957

"31D. Statutory licensing for broadcasting of literary and musical works and sound recordings.—(1) Any broadcasting organisation desirous of communicating to the public by way of a broadcast or by way of performance of a literary or musical work and sound recording which has already been published may obtain a statutory licence to do so subject to the provisions of this section..."

4. Collective Management Organizations

A. IPRS + PPL Framework

✅ Collective Management Organizations

IPRS (INDIAN PERFORMING RIGHTS SOCIETY): · Composer + lyricist + music publisher rights. · Section 33 framework (CMO registration). · Restored functions 2017 (after period of inactivity). · Royalty collection + distribution. · Cross-border framework with international CMOs. PPL (PHONOGRAPHIC PERFORMANCE LIMITED): · Sound recording rights. · Public performance. · Broadcasting rights. · Royalty collection. · Music label representative. NOVEX COMMUNICATIONS: · Newer CMO. · Some labels switched from PPL. · Section 33 dispute pending. INTERNATIONAL CMOs: · CISAC (International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers). · ASCAP, BMI, SESAC (US). · PRS for Music (UK). · SACEM (France). · APRA AMCOS (Australia + New Zealand). KEY ISSUES: · Royalty rate determination. · Distribution mechanisms. · Cross-border collection. · Digital royalties. · Streaming framework. · Live performance royalties. KEY CASES: · IPRS v. Entertainment Network (2003) — author royalties. · Super Cassettes v. Entertainment Network 2008 — broadcasting framework. · Multiple Bollywood music disputes. · PPL v. Various Hotels — public performance.

5. AI Music + Emerging Tech

A. AI Music Framework

  • Stephen Thaler 2025 — AI authorship rejected; aligned globally.
  • AI-generated music questions.
  • Document HUMAN contribution.
  • Use as INSPIRATION + EDITING vs PURE GENERATION.
  • AI-assisted music vs AI-generated.

B. AI Music Training

  • ANI v. OpenAI 2024 — pending; relevant.
  • Music training data raises copyright questions.
  • Section 52 fair dealing potential.
  • Need explicit AI training rights in licensing.
  • Cross-border AI music services.

C. NFTs + Music

  • NFT music releases.
  • Hermès v. Rothschild 2023 — NFT trademark framework.
  • Web3 music platforms.
  • Smart contract licensing.
  • Cross-border digital ownership.

6. Streaming + Digital Music IP

A. Streaming Framework

  • Mechanical royalty for streaming.
  • Performance royalty for streaming.
  • Section 31D framework consideration.
  • Licensing arrangements with platforms.
  • Cross-border streaming framework.
  • User-generated content (UGC) framework.

B. Music Synchronization

  • Film music synchronization licensing.
  • Advertisement use.
  • Television show synchronization.
  • Web series synchronization.
  • Video game music.
  • Apps + interactive media.

7. Recent Music IP Cases

📖 Super Cassettes Industries v. Entertainment Network India (Radio Mirchi), 2008 (Del HC)

Background — Music broadcasting royalty dispute.

Significance — Broadcasting rights framework.

📖 Indian Performing Rights Society v. Entertainment Network (Radio Mirchi), 2003

Background — Author royalty rights.

Significance — Foundational author royalty framework.

📖 Stephen Thaler v. Copyright Office, 2025 (Del HC)

Background — AI authorship challenge.

Holding — 8-week directive on reconsideration.

Significance — AI authorship framework (relevant for AI music).

8. Strategic Considerations

✅ For music industry — eight points

For composers + lyricists, leverage 2012 Amendment author royalties.

For producers, ensure all four IP layers cleared.

For streaming, structure comprehensive licensing.

For AI music, document HUMAN contribution.

For CMO engagement, leverage IPRS + PPL frameworks.

For statutory licensing, leverage Section 31D framework.

For international, leverage Berne + Beijing Treaty 2012.

For brand protection, register multi-class portfolio.

9. Memory Aid — Quick Recall

✅ Quick Recall — Music Industry IP

India 14th largest music market; 3rd by users.

T-Series largest Indian label; world's most-subscribed YouTube channel.

Section 13(1)(a) — composition (literary + musical).

Section 13(1)(c) — sound recording.

Section 13(1)(b) — cinematograph (music videos).

Section 38, 38A, 38B — performers (2012 Amendment).

Section 22 — life + 60 years (literary/musical).

Section 26 — 60 years (cinematograph).

Section 27 — 60 years (sound recording).

2012 Copyright Amendment — major music reforms.

Section 31D — statutory licensing (radio + TV broadcasting).

Section 18(1) proviso — no assignment for un-existing media.

Section 65A + 65B — TPMs/RMIs.

IPRS — composer/lyricist/publisher CMO.

PPL — sound recording CMO.

India member: Berne 1928; Beijing 2012 (since 2020).

India NOT member: Rome 1961; WCT; WPPT.

🎯 EXAM POINTERS — TOPIC 172

  • India 14th largest music market globally; 3rd by user base.
  • India recorded music industry $400M+ (2024).
  • T-Series — largest Indian music label; world's most-subscribed YouTube channel.
  • Section 13(1)(a) Copyright Act — literary + musical work copyright.
  • Section 13(1)(b) — cinematograph (music videos).
  • Section 13(1)(c) — sound recording (separate copyright).
  • Section 14 — exclusive rights framework.
  • Section 22 — Term: life + 60 years (literary/musical works).
  • Section 26 — 60 years (cinematograph films).
  • Section 27 — 60 years (sound recordings).
  • Section 38 — Performers' rights (introduced 2012 Amendment).
  • Section 38A — Sound recording fixation rights.
  • Section 38B — Performers' moral rights.
  • Performers' rights term: 50 years from performance.
  • Section 31D — Statutory licensing for broadcasting (radio + TV) (introduced 2012).
  • Section 18(1) proviso — Cannot assign rights for un-existing media (introduced 2012).
  • Section 65A — Technological Protection Measures (TPMs).
  • Section 65B — Rights Management Information (RMIs).
  • Section 33 — Copyright Society/Collective Management Organization registration.
  • Section 52(1)(zb) — Marrakesh accessible format (introduced 2012).
  • IPRS (Indian Performing Rights Society) — composer/lyricist/publisher CMO.
  • PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) — sound recording CMO.
  • Novex Communications — newer CMO; Section 33 dispute pending.
  • India member: Berne Convention 1928; Beijing Treaty 2012 (since 2020).
  • India NOT member: Rome Convention 1961; WCT; WPPT.
  • Marrakesh Treaty 2014 — India ratified 2014; accessible format conversion.
  • Super Cassettes v. Entertainment Network (Radio Mirchi case 2008) — broadcasting framework.
  • IPRS v. Entertainment Network (2003) — author royalties framework.
  • Stephen Thaler v. Copyright Office (Del HC 2025) — AI authorship 8-week directive.
  • ANI v. OpenAI (CS(COMM) 1028/2024) — AI training pending.
  • Hermès v. Rothschild (US 2023) — NFT trademark framework.
  • Mediation Act 2023 — effective 24 January 2024.