Copyright is automatic, but registration helps
Under Indian law, copyright in an original musical work and its lyrics exists automatically when you create it, you do not have to register to own it. What registration with the Copyright Office adds is stronger, dated proof of ownership, which matters if there is ever a dispute. It is optional, but worth doing for work you care about.
The two rights: composition and recording
Every song carries two separate rights that earn separately:
- The composition: the underlying song, the melody and lyrics. This is the writer's and publisher's side, and it is collected in India by IPRS.
- The master: the specific recording. This is the performer's and label's side. Public performance of sound recordings is administered in India by PPL, and streaming and download income for the recording flows through your distributor.
If you wrote and recorded your own song, you can earn on both sides, which is exactly why registering matters.
What IPRS does and how to join
IPRS is the Indian society that collects performance and mechanical royalties for writers, composers, and publishers, the money owed when your composition is played in public, broadcast, or streamed. As an independent songwriter you can apply for membership and then register each of your works with its details and ownership splits. Unregistered compositions simply are not collected, so this is the step that turns your writing into income.
Protect your collaborations
Most rights disputes come from unclear splits. Agree who owns what percentage of the composition in the room, on a signed split sheet, before any money or argument arrives. Keep dated proof of authorship and your stems. Our Resources toolkit includes a split-sheet template.
The takeaway
Do three things: keep proof of authorship, register your compositions with IPRS so royalties reach you, and put clear ownership in every collaboration and release. The rights chapter of the Playbook goes deeper, and the Answers hub covers ISRC codes, publishing, sample clearance, and more. If you would rather have someone read your deals and set this up with you, that is part of the programme.