The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) has initiated a new phase of its collaboration with the Government of Nagaland, aimed at strengthening music copyright awareness and licensing systems in the state. The move follows IPRS Chairman Javed Akhtar and CEO Rakesh Nigam’s visit to Kohima on 21 March, where they met senior state leadership including the Chief Minister and key officials.
Positioned as a state-supported effort, the initiative focuses on building a more formalised music rights ecosystem in Nagaland, with an emphasis on awareness, compliance, and creator remuneration. The partnership is being framed as a potential template for similar interventions in other states.
A key outcome of the visit is the establishment of a dedicated IP hub in Kohima, set up in association with Task Force for Music and Arts. The hub is designed as an on-ground support centre for artists, composers, and rights holders, offering guidance on IPRS membership, work registration, metadata management, and royalty processes. It will also work with venues, organisers, and local businesses to streamline licensing practices and encourage compliant use of music.
The development comes against the backdrop of Nagaland’s active music culture, spanning independent artists, bands, and church-led music communities, many of whom remain outside formal rights management systems. The lack of structured IP participation has historically limited royalty flows back to creators, particularly across live events, commercial spaces, and digital platforms.
Alongside the hub, IPRS conducted a My Music My Rights workshop at the Regional Centre of Excellence for Music and Performing Arts, bringing together local artists and industry stakeholders for sessions on copyright, royalties, and the business of music.
Commenting on the initiative, Javed Akhtar said the effort reflects a broader need to recognise and compensate creators as music consumption expands across platforms. He also acknowledged the role of the Nagaland government and TaFMA in enabling a state-led approach to rights awareness.
Nigam added that the collaboration marks a shift from advocacy to implementation, with the Kohima hub intended as a scalable model for wider rollout. He noted that improving access to rights infrastructure at a regional level is critical to ensuring creators can participate fully in the value chain.
Through a mix of policy engagement and on-ground activation, the partnership is expected to focus on improving licensing compliance, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and increasing overall IP literacy. The longer-term goal is to integrate more creators from the region into formal systems, enabling more consistent royalty collection and distribution while supporting the growth of a sustainable music economy.
