The CISAC Annual Report 2025 highlights substantial progress in royalty collections across global markets, with India emerging as one of the fastest-growing territories. According to the report, royalty collections in India reached Rs. 7 billion in FY24–25, representing a 42% increase over the previous year and a 357% rise since 2020.
This performance reflects continued improvements in copyright awareness, licensing compliance, and digital royalty frameworks in the Indian market. The report also outlines the efforts of the Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) to support this growth through policy advocacy, improved systems, and international collaboration.
As part of its strategic goals, IPRS is working with CISAC to position India among the world’s top 10 creative economies. This includes initiatives to enhance digital revenue streams, address challenges in traditional markets, and strengthen licensing and distribution infrastructure.
Commenting on the developments, IPRS Chairman Javed Akhtar stated,“The growth in collections points to increased recognition of the value of creative work and the importance of fair compensation. However, the evolution of technology, particularly AI, introduces new complexities. Sustained awareness, ethical standards, and robust governance will be key to supporting creators in this environment.”
The CISAC report also emphasizes the global need for clear regulatory frameworks for generative AI, warning that music creators could face revenue losses of up to 24% by 2028 without proper safeguards. In response, CISAC has outlined key recommendations to protect creative rights in the age of AI:
- Transparency in AI training data
- Mandatory authorisation before use of creative works
- Fair remuneration for affected creators
IPRS CEO Rakesh Nigam added,“India’s upward trajectory in royalty collections is encouraging, but sustaining this momentum requires ongoing investment in rights management, industry education, and international best practices. As technology reshapes the music landscape, protecting creators’ rights remains central to long-term sectoral growth.”
The report also notes IPRS’s participation in a global pilot project to link ISWC (musical work codes) with ISRC (sound recording codes)—a step aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of royalty distribution.
The full CISAC Annual Report 2025 is available here:
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