Music Industry Glossary: Key Terms for India

A music industry glossary for India: about 40 sourced definitions, from ISRC, masters and mechanical licences to IPRS, PPL, Novex and copyright societies.

Key facts

Two copyrights: A recorded song has separate copyrights in the composition and in the sound recording, according to S.S. Rana and Co.
ISRC: An ISRC is a 12-character alphanumeric code that identifies a sound recording or music video, according to the IFPI ISRC site.
Copyright term: Copyright in a musical work in India generally lasts 60 years from the year after the author's death, according to the Copyright Office handbook.
Copyright society: A copyright society in India needs at least seven members to register, according to the Copyright Office handbook.
PPL registration: PPL was re-registered as a copyright society on 11 June 2026 under Section 33(3) of the Copyright Act, 1957, according to S.S. Rana and Co.
Indian law: India's Copyright Act, 1957 was last amended in 2012, according to Wikipedia.

This music industry glossary defines about 40 terms that Indian artists, managers and writers meet most often, from ISRC and masters to IPRS, PPL and sync. Each definition names its source, mostly Wikipedia, India's Copyright Office and the law firm S.S. Rana and Co. Terms are grouped by topic so related ideas sit together.

Last updated 24 October 2026

What are the basic release terms?

Single: A release of a song recording with fewer tracks than an album, typically one song and sometimes two, according to Wikipedia.
EP: An extended play, a recording with more tracks than a single but fewer than an album, usually up to eight tracks and 15 to 30 minutes long, according to Wikipedia.
Album: A collection of audio recordings issued on a medium such as CD, vinyl or tape, or in digital format, according to Wikipedia.
Cover version: A new performance or recording of a song by a musician other than the original performer or composer, according to Wikipedia.
Remix: A piece of media altered from its original state by adding, removing or changing pieces, most commonly a reworked song, according to Wikipedia.
Music video: A video that pairs a song or album with imagery, made mainly as a marketing device to promote the recording, according to Wikipedia.

What are the recording and production terms?

DAW: A digital audio workstation, an electronic device or software used for recording, editing and producing audio files, according to Wikipedia.
Record producer: The overall supervisor of a music project, typically overseeing recording sessions, performances and the technical engineering of the recording, according to Wikipedia.
Mixing: The process of combining multitrack recordings into a final mono, stereo or surround product, adjusting levels and applying processes such as equalisation and compression, according to Wikipedia.
Mastering: Audio post-production that prepares the final mix and transfers it to a master recording, the source of all copies, according to Wikipedia.
Master recording: The original recording of a performance, including mixes and edits, from which all copies are derived, according to Wikipedia.
Sampling: Reusing a portion of a sound recording in another recording, such as a drum beat or a melody, according to Wikipedia.

Who are the people and companies in the business?

Record label: A brand of music recordings, or the company that owns it, which may coordinate production, distribution, marketing and copyright enforcement, according to Wikipedia.
Major label: A multinational company that, with its group, has more than 5% of the world market for records or music videos, as defined by the Association of Independent Music and quoted by Wikipedia.
Independent music: Music characterised by creative freedom, low budgets and a do-it-yourself approach, a style that grew from the liberties of independent record labels, according to Wikipedia.
A&R: Artists and repertoire, the division of a label or publisher that scouts, finances and oversees the development of artists and songwriters, according to Wikipedia.
Music publisher: A company that licenses compositions, collects royalties and makes sure songwriters and composers receive income when their work is used, according to Wikipedia.
Distributor: A service that delivers music to platforms such as Spotify and YouTube Music, as DistroKid has done since launching at the start of 2012, according to Wikipedia.
Streaming service: An online service that lets users stream songs on demand from a central library, usually by subscription, sometimes with limited free tiers, according to Wikipedia.

Discography compares the main Indian options in its guide to music distribution in India.

What are the copyright terms every artist should know?

Composition: The underlying song, a copyright separate from the recording that belongs to the songwriter unless it is transferred or sold, according to Wikipedia.
Sound recording: The second copyright in a released song, separate from the composition, according to S.S. Rana and Co.
Copyright Act, 1957: The law that governs copyright in India, first passed after independence and amended six times, most recently in 2012, according to Wikipedia.
First owner: Under the Copyright Act 1957, the author of a work is generally the first owner of its copyright, according to Wikipedia.
Copyright term: In India, copyright in musical works generally lasts 60 years counted from the year after the author's death, according to the Copyright Office handbook.
Moral rights: Creators' rights of attribution, of anonymous or pseudonymous publication, and to the integrity of the work, according to Wikipedia.
Public domain: All creative work to which no exclusive intellectual property rights apply, so anyone can use it without permission, according to Wikipedia.
Neighbouring rights: Rights in a creative work not connected with its author, also called related rights, from the French droits voisins, according to Wikipedia.

For the practical steps, see how to copyright a song in India.

What are the licensing and royalty terms?

Royalty: A payment to the owner of an asset for the ongoing right to use it, usually a percentage of revenue or a fixed amount per unit, according to Wikipedia.
Mechanical licence: A licence from the owner of a composition to create a cover, reproduce or sample part of it, according to Wikipedia.
Sync licence: A licence from a composition's copyright holder to pair music with media such as film, TV, advertising or games, according to Wikipedia.
Performance rights organisation: A body that collects royalties between copyright holders and parties who use works publicly, such as shops and restaurants, according to Wikipedia.
Copyright society: In India, a registered collective administration society formed by copyright owners, which needs at least seven members to register, according to the Copyright Office handbook.
Per-stream rate: The amount earned for one play, which IMI chairman Vikram Mehra put at 2 to 5 paise for an audio play or video view in India in 2025, according to Music Ally.

Which Indian collecting bodies should artists know?

IPRS: The Indian Performing Right Society, which administers rights in musical works and lyrics for composers, lyricists and publishers, according to S.S. Rana and Co.
PPL: Phonographic Performance Limited, which administers public performance and broadcast rights in sound recordings for record labels, according to S.S. Rana and Co.
PPL registration: PPL was re-registered as a copyright society on 11 June 2026 under Section 33(3) of the Copyright Act, 1957, according to S.S. Rana and Co.
PPL licence: PPL says a licence is required under the Copyright Act 1957 for public performance of its members' sound recordings, according to its website.
Novex: Novex Communications, a private company that administers public performance rights in sound recordings assigned to it by certain labels, according to S.S. Rana and Co.
RMPL: Recorded Music Performance Limited, another body that administers rights on the sound recording side, according to S.S. Rana and Co.
ISRA: The Indian Singers Rights Association, a registered copyright society that collects royalties on behalf of singers, according to S.S. Rana and Co.

For how these bodies split a single play, see the guide to IPRS, PPL and Novex.

What are the identifier and metadata terms?

ISRC: The International Standard Recording Code, which uniquely identifies sound recordings and music videos, according to IFPI.
ISRC format: An ISRC has 12 alphanumeric characters, shown with the prefix ISRC in print, according to IFPI.
ISRC standard: The code was codified as ISO 3901 in 1986 and updated in 2001, according to Wikipedia.
UPC: The Universal Product Code, a barcode used worldwide to track trade items, which is also used to identify releases, according to Wikipedia.
Press kit: A pre-packaged set of promotional materials about an artist or organisation, distributed to the media, according to Wikipedia.

For what goes into one, see the guide to an electronic press kit for musicians.

How should this glossary be cited?

Cite the source named in each definition rather than this glossary alone.

Legal definitions summarise the sources and are not legal advice, so check the Copyright Act, 1957 or a lawyer for a specific case.

The PPL registration date and collecting-body roles reflect S.S. Rana and Co's article as read on 24 October 2026.

FAQ

What is the difference between a master and a composition?

A master is the original recording of a performance, while the composition is the underlying song, which is a separate copyright that belongs to the songwriter unless it is transferred, according to Wikipedia.

What is an ISRC code?

An International Standard Recording Code identifies a single sound recording or music video, has 12 alphanumeric characters, and was codified as ISO 3901 in 1986, according to IFPI and Wikipedia.

What does IPRS do?

IPRS administers rights in musical works and lyrics for composers, lyricists and publishers in India, according to S.S. Rana and Co.

What does PPL India do?

PPL administers public performance and broadcast rights in sound recordings for record labels, according to S.S. Rana and Co. It was re-registered as a copyright society on 11 June 2026.