Renowned lyricist and Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) Chairman Shri Javed Akhtar has urged for stronger mechanisms to empower artists against market forces that increasingly restrict creative freedom.
Speaking at FICCI's 'IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP' conference, Shri Akhtar warned that corporatisation has created a system where "the elbow room starts becoming restless for creativity" as marketing departments dictate artistic choices.
"There has to be a balance between creativity and the market," Shri Akhtar said. "If you are adhering to the market's order, then what kind of marketing person are you? There is no creativity, no experiment, no courage."
Shri Akhtar highlighted the dramatic turnaround of IPRS since 2017, when writers and composers gained more control following copyright law amendments. "When we took over in 2017, the annual income at its peak was ₹42 crore. This year we have crossed ₹730 crore, and we'll hopefully cross ₹1,000 crore in a couple of years," he said.
The IPRS is now recognised as "the fastest growing society for writers and composers in the world," according to Akhtar.
Despite legislative progress, he emphasised that many rules remain unimplemented on the ground. The veteran creator argued that economic security through fair compensation is essential for artists to resist market pressure toward standardisation.
"We need security of the artists for the security of the music industry," Akhtar noted. "Whatever the artist has done, he should be rewarded for that. He should get his fair share."
Speaking on occasion, Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Union Ministry of Culture, announced a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering India's creative economy, including partnerships with digital streaming platforms. "We are in discussions with Spotify and YouTube to sign MoUs promoting folk and traditional music that currently lacks commercial market presence," Aggarwal said.
The Ministry is also pursuing Geographical Indication registration for traditional musical instruments and styles. "Every region of this country has a unique musical setup that deserves protection," Shri Aggarwal explained, adding that exhibitions of these instruments would be revamped with thematic displays and audiovisual components to better educate visitors.
To address IP registration barriers, especially for regional language artists, the government will establish specialized cells at cultural centres and academies. "We are planning to create cells to educate and provide handholding for new artists to obtain IP registration," said Shri Aggarwal.
FICCI IPR Committee Chairman Shri Anil Rajput announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with WIPO to establish an IP for Business Center at FICCI after a decade-long effort. "This center will serve as a pivotal resource for Indian businesses, creators, and innovators," said Shri Rajput.
The conference highlighted several initiatives to strengthen enforcement, identified as a critical challenge in the digital era. FICCI, in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has developed a revised Police Toolkit for IP Enforcement to equip officials with actionable guidance.
Rajput also addressed artificial intelligence's dual impact on the music industry, calling for "protection from negative impacts while building an ecosystem that leverages AI as a positive enabler."