RIGHTS & ROYALTIES / 07 MIN READ · OCTOBER 8, 2026 · BY BEON

What is IPRS?
A simple guide.

You wrote the song. You released it. People are playing it on radio, at events and on streaming apps. IPRS is how you get paid for the writing, not just the recording.

What is IPRS?

IPRS stands for Indian Performing Right Society. It was formed in 1969 and works as a copyright society for lyricists, composers and music publishers in India. It is registered as a copyright society under the Copyright Act, 1957.

Its job is simple. When a song is played in public, on radio, on TV, at a concert or in a venue, the people who use the music need a licence. IPRS issues those licences, collects the money and shares it with the writers and publishers who are its members.

If you are not a member, that money for your song has nobody to claim it.

IPRS vs PPL: do not mix them up.

A song has two parts, and each part has different owners and different societies.

• The song itself (lyrics and composition): handled by IPRS. This belongs to lyricists, composers and publishers.
• The sound recording (the finished track): handled by PPL. This usually belongs to the label or producer.
• Singers and performers: performer rights are looked after by a separate society, the Indian Singers Rights Association (ISRA).

One artist can sit in more than one of these. A singer-songwriter who owns their own master may need to deal with all three.

How IPRS helps an artist.

1. You earn from public performance.

Every time your song is licensed for radio, TV, live events or other public use, a royalty is collected. As a member, your share of that comes to you instead of staying unclaimed.

2. Your name is on record as the writer.

Registering your works creates a clear record of who wrote what and in what share. That helps when there is a dispute, a cover, a sample or a sync request.

3. Someone chases the licences for you.

You cannot walk into every cafe, event and radio station asking for a fee. IPRS does that licensing at scale on behalf of all members.

4. It makes you look professional.

Labels, managers and brands take a writer with registered works more seriously. It shows you understand the business side of music.

Royalty amounts depend on IPRS distribution rules and on how much your songs are actually used, so treat it as long-term income, not a quick payout.

Who can join IPRS?

• Lyricists who write words for songs
• Composers who create the melody or music, including independent producers who make original melodies
• Publishers who own or manage rights in the compositions

You can hold more than one role. If you write and compose your own songs, register in both categories.

How to fill IPRS: step by step.

Always use the official IPRS website for the latest form, fee and rules, because these can change.

Step 1: Keep your documents ready.

You will usually need an ID proof, your PAN, a passport-size photo and your signature. Keep your bank account details handy too, for royalty payouts.

Step 2: Apply for membership.

Open the IPRS website, choose the membership application and pick the correct category: lyricist, composer or publisher. Fill your name exactly as it appears on your ID. Upload the documents and pay the membership fee.

Step 3: Wait for approval.

After verification you receive a membership number and access to the member portal.

Step 4: Register your songs (works).

Log in to the portal and add each song with these details:

• Song title (spell it the same way everywhere)
• Lyricist(s) and composer(s), with each person's percentage share
• Publisher, if there is one
• Duration and release date
• Language

The shares for a song should add up to 100 percent. Agree on splits with co-writers before you register, not after.

Step 5: Submit setlists for live shows.

If you perform your own songs at gigs, send the setlist to IPRS after each show so live performances can be claimed.

Mistakes to avoid.

• Different spellings. If the song title or your name differs between IPRS, your distributor and YouTube, matching becomes harder.
• Leaving out co-writers. Missing names cause disputes and delayed payments later.
• Registering late. Register every release when it goes live, not months afterwards.
• Confusing IPRS with a distributor. A distributor puts your music on Spotify, JioSaavn and other apps. IPRS registers authorship and collects performance royalties for the song. You need both.
• Signing away rights without reading. If a label asks you to assign rights, understand what you are giving up first. Take legal advice if the contract is unclear.

Quick answers.

Is IPRS membership free?

There is a membership fee. IPRS has run free enrolment drives at music events before, so check the official site for current offers.

Do I need IPRS if I use a distributor?

Yes. They do different jobs. Your distributor delivers the recording to platforms. IPRS handles the rights in the writing.

Is this the same as an IPRS licence?

No. A licence is what users of music (event organisers, venues, broadcasters) take from IPRS. Membership is what creators take to earn from those licences.

Where BeON fits in.

Registering your rights protects your music. Promoting it makes people play it. Both matter. BeON is a music marketing agency that helps artists and labels plan releases, build short-form content and grow their audience on social media, so the songs you register actually get heard.

Planning a release and want it to land properly? Tell us about it.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the official IPRS website for the latest membership rules, fees and forms before you apply.