Music Publishing Administration in India: A Complete Guide for Artists & Labels
Introduction
The Indian music industry is experiencing a creative surge—with independent artists, film composers, and labels generating more music than ever. But with this growth comes complexity. Songs don’t just live on streaming platforms; they travel through performances, sync deals, radio, films, OTT platforms, and global societies. To truly maximize income and protect rights, Publishing Administration becomes the invisible backbone.
What is Music Publishing Administration?
At its core, music publishing administration ensures that songwriters, composers, and rights owners get accurately registered, tracked, and paid for the use of their music.
This includes:
- Registering works with societies like IPRS, PRS, ASCAP, BMI, SACEM.
- Ensuring metadata accuracy across streaming platforms.
- Tracking royalties globally—from Spotify in Sweden to radio in Mumbai.
- Handling licensing requests for syncs, covers, and adaptations.
- Protecting rights through legal and contractual clarity.
Why It Matters in India Today?
Historically, publishing in India was underdeveloped—most focus was on recordings, not compositions. But after the 2012 Copyright Amendment, authors and composers gained inalienable rights to royalties from commercial exploitation. This shifted the game: publishing administration is no longer optional; it’s essential.
Sherley Singh (Founder, Music Rights Management India) explains:
“Every artist deserves to see their work not just celebrated, but accounted for. Publishing administration is the difference between applause today and income tomorrow—it transforms creativity into sustainable legacy.”
For Artists
- Keep ownership of your compositions.
- Register every song with IPRS (India) and an international partner society.
- Ensure contracts clearly state your entitlement to publishing royalties, even for commissioned works.
- Consider an admin partner (like MRM) to handle the paperwork, registrations, and global collections.
For Labels & Producers
- Publishing is not a cost—it’s an asset.
- Correct publishing splits and registrations build long-term catalog value.
- Transparent publishing management builds trust with artists.
- Administration partners can increase global sync opportunities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to register songs with IPRS and PRS equivalents abroad.
- Incorrect metadata (misspelled names, wrong ISWC codes).
- Assuming commissioned works mean no royalties (law says otherwise).
- Not auditing your publishing income—uncollected royalties often lapse.
The Global Picture
With streaming, music today is borderless. Publishing administration allows Indian songs to earn in Los Angeles, Lagos, and London—while ensuring the composer in Mumbai gets their rightful share.
Conclusion
As India takes its place on the global music stage, music publishing administration is the bridge between artistry and accountability. Whether you are an independent singer-songwriter, a Bollywood composer, or a label building catalog, getting publishing right means your music works for you long after release.