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IPRS vs PPL India: Which One Do You Need? (Artist Guide 2026)

Two names confuse every new Indian artist: IPRS and PPL. They sound similar, both collect royalties, but they pay different people for different rights. Join the wrong one — or neither — and you leave money on the table.

The 30-second version

• IPRS (Indian Performing Right Society) = pays songwriters, composers, and publishers for the composition.
• PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) = pays labels and recording owners for the sound recording when played publicly.

Which one are you?

• You wrote the song (lyrics/melody) → register with IPRS as a songwriter member.
• You own your recordings (you paid for the production) → your recordings earn public-performance royalties via PPL — usually claimed through your label or distributor.
• Both? Many independent artists are both songwriter and recording owner. You need both streams.

What each one collects

IPRS collects when your composition is performed or broadcast — radio, TV, live venues, streaming services (the publishing share), restaurants, and public events. PPL collects when your recording is played publicly — radio airplay, clubs, cafes, and commercial spaces playing your actual track.

How to join IPRS

1. Apply at iprs.org with your details and catalog.
2. There's a one-time admission fee (check current rates on their site).
3. Register each of your songs (title, writers, splits).
4. Royalties are distributed periodically based on usage data.

The money most artists miss

Streaming royalties from your distributor are only the master side. The publishing side — collected by IPRS — is a completely separate payment that never arrives unless your works are registered. We've seen artists double their royalty income just by registering their existing catalog.

Quick checklist

• ☐ Registered as IPRS member (if you write songs)
• ☐ All songs registered with correct writer splits
• ☐ Co-writers agreed on split percentages in writing
• ☐ Distributor delivering to all platforms (master royalties)
• ☐ YouTube Content ID active (recording royalties from UGC)

TIR handles your master royalties — keep upto 85% →