PPL India Granted Copyright Society Status, Strengthening Music Licensing In India

In a landmark development for India's recorded music industry, Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL India) has been granted registration as a Copyright Society under the Copyright Act, 1957, providing the organisation with formal recognition to collectively administer and license sound recording rights across the country.

The registration is expected to streamline the licensing ecosystem for recorded music and strengthen royalty collection and distribution mechanisms for music labels and artists. It also brings long-awaited clarity to PPL India's legal standing in the rights management landscape.

Founded in 1941, PPL India is among the country's oldest music rights organisations and represents nearly 500 music labels, including major domestic and international companies such as T-Series, Sony Music, Universal Music, Times Music, Lahari Music, Aditya Music and Global Rhythms. The organisation licenses the public performance and communication of sound recordings across a wide range of commercial establishments, including hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, offices, malls, events and radio stations.

Operating on a not-for-profit basis, PPL collects licence fees from businesses using recorded music and distributes royalties to rights holders after deducting administrative expenses.

Industry stakeholders view the registration as a significant milestone, particularly as questions surrounding PPL India's status as a Copyright Society had previously led some businesses to challenge or withhold licence payments. According to the organisation, this resulted in royalties from certain commercial uses of music not reaching the labels and artists entitled to them.

With the registration now in effect, PPL India expects greater compliance from music users and businesses, ensuring that copyrighted sound recordings are appropriately licensed and that royalties flow back to creators and rights owners.

Commenting on the development, GB Aayeer, CEO of PPL India, described the registration as a major milestone for both the organisation and the music labels it represents.

“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,” he said.

Mandar Thakur, Chairman of PPL India, said the recognition reinforces the collective management framework for sound recording rights in India while providing businesses with a transparent and efficient route to secure licences and comply with copyright regulations.

He added that the registration marks an important chapter for the Indian music industry and acknowledged the support of the PPL Board and the Indian Music Industry (IMI) in achieving the milestone.

The development comes at a time when India's music industry is witnessing rapid growth across streaming, live entertainment and commercial music consumption, making efficient rights administration and royalty distribution increasingly critical to the sector's long-term sustainability.