Music artists' rights body accuses YRF of illegally pocketing Rs100 crore

The Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) has accused Yash Raj Films (YRF) of illegally collecting Rs100 crore in music royalties that actually belong to its members.

IPRS is a body that represents music composers, music producers and lyricists. It is the sole body authorized to issue licences for the commercial use of film music in India and collects royalties on behalf of its members.

A first information report (FIR) has been lodged against YRF with the economic offences wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police. The FIR, which names YRF head honcho and filmmaker Aditya Chopra and his brother and actor-producer Uday Chopra, says YRF prevented the IPRS from collecting royalties from radio stations, streaming platforms and telecom service providers by pressurizing artistes into signing illegal agreements.

As per a report in the tabloid Mumbai Mirror, the IPRS said the offence by YRF is “just the tip of the iceberg” and that investigating it could bring more such cases to light.

A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the publication, “The FIR has been registered under sections 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Copyright Act.”