Music And Ownership: Why Today’s Artists Must Know Their Rights

In the dynamic world of music, where creativity meets commerce, one truth remains constant: knowledge is power. For today’s music creators—especially independent artists—understanding their rights is no longer optional; it is essential. We live in an era where music travels faster than ever. A song created in a home studio in Shillong or Kochi can go viral across continents within hours. While this digital democratisation of music is a great equaliser, it has also exposed creators to a host of new challenges, chief among them being a lack of awareness around ownership, royalties, and the value of rights.

The Right to Know Your Rights

One of the most persistent challenges we face is the myth that music rights are too complex for creators to navigate. But the truth is, the moment a creator composes or writes a piece of music, they own something incredibly valuable—their copyright. This ownership includes the right to earn royalties when their music is played, performed, streamed, or adapted.

Unfortunately, many artists sign away these rights without understanding their long-term implications. In the rush to release music or strike a deal, crucial clauses on ownership and royalty sharing are often overlooked. What remains is a painful realisation down the road—when the music becomes successful, but the creator doesn’t see a share of the value it generates.

Spotlight on Independent and Women Creators

The independent music scene in India is thriving, but with great opportunity comes great responsibility. Indie creators often wear many hats—songwriter, producer, manager—and in doing so, the legal and financial aspects of music sometimes take a backseat. By understanding the nuances of music copyright, artists can safeguard their work and ensure a steady stream of income from royalties that rightfully belong to them.

Women creators, in particular, face additional systemic challenges in the music industry. From a lack of representation to limited access to industry networks, the road is not always smooth.

Education and access to information become a critical equaliser here, especially for women in music navigating a fast-evolving industry. Understanding the key aspects of the music business in the digital age empowers them to take charge with clarity and confidence. It enables stronger negotiation, greater creative control, and the ability to build a sustainable career on their own terms—not by chance, but by choice.

Building a Rights-Aware Creative Ecosystem

Changing the narrative around music rights in India requires a collective effort. As an insider in the performance rights space, I have seen how education can shift mindsets. When creators start asking the right questions—“Am I credited properly?”, “Am I registered for royalties?”, “Do I still own my rights?”—The ecosystem begins to evolve. I am proud to see more creators take ownership of their rights, actively register their works, and participate in rights-related conversations. 

India is on the cusp of a music revolution, and at the heart of this movement are creators who know their worth. The time has come for every Indian artist, whether composing for films, performing live, or independently creating music, to treat their rights not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of their career.  Because when creators know their rights, they do more than just safeguard their creation; they take their rightful place in shaping the industry, driving forward and preserving the rich musical legacy of our nation for generations to come.

Authored by Rumpa Banerjee, Head - Marketing/Communication & Member Relations at The Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS). Views expressed by the author are their own.