Vocalists and singers join Indian Singers Rights Association

Leading singers announced their affiliation to the Indian Singers Rights Association, the statutory body under the Indian Copyright Act 1957, to secure them their royalty dues.

Addressing media persons following a meeting led by senior industry representatives S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.J. Yesudas, P. Susheela and Vani Jayaram, ISRA Managing DirectorSanjay Tandon said the association will represent the interest of the singers. Under the Copyright law it can charge a maximum of 15 per cent of the royalty for its services with 85 per cent going to the singer.

The details of the royalty to be fixed and the systems and procedures will be announced following the association’s general body meeting to be held on September 5. Royalty can be collected on the original songs played commercially by any media, including ringtones by telephone companies, radio and television channels.

The law covers songs going back 50 years and ISRA estimates this will represent a data base of over a million songs across India going back up to 1963.

Balasubrahmanyam said this is a rightful due to the singers provided by the law and is a new revenue stream that does not infringe on others’ income in the industry. This is a long awaited provision under the Copyright law which was amended last year. It is the responsibility of the industry and the listeners to abide by the law.

Courtesy: The Hindu Business Line