The Performers’ Society of Nepal (PSN) and the Indian Singers and Musicians Rights Association (ISAMRA) signed a bilateral agreement on the enforcement of musical copyright across the two jurisdictions as well as royalty sharing.

PSN and ISAMRA operate as collective management organizations (CMOs). Both are active members of the Societies’ Council for the Collective Management of Performers’ Rights (SCAPR), a global federation of CMOs.

“This represents a milestone in South Asian efforts to strengthen intellectual property rights in the music industry,” said Ram Chandra Subedi, founding and managing partner at Apex Law Chamber in Kathmandu.

According to Subedi, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment between India and Nepal to improve the efficiency, transparency and fairness of royalty collection and distribution for performers as it paves the way for Indian and Nepali performers to receive rightful compensation and royalties for their works across these two jurisdictions.

“The agreement ensures that royalties owed to Indian performers whose music is publicly used, performed, broadcast or distributed in Nepal will be collected and distributed by PSN. Likewise, royalties for Nepali performers whose works are used in India will be collected and distributed by ISAMRA,” said Subedi. Public use or performance of music includes music being played in restaurants, on TV, radio, in transportation, picnic spots and the like. Royalty collection and distribution will be standardized and technology-based.  

“It also reaffirms the vital role CMOs play in advocating for and safeguarding the economic rights of performers in an increasingly interconnected global music and entertainment industry,” Subedi added. The agreement also aligns with the broader goals of SCAPR.

Aside from facilitating cross-border royalty collection and enhancing the protection of performers’ rights, Subedi said that the bilateral agreement could also encourage regional collaboration. “It opens doors for joint performances, co-productions and music distribution, boosting the creative economies of both countries,” he explained.

The foundation for the partnership, which was spearheaded by ISAMRA, was laid during discussions at the Asian CMO Forum in Tokyo, participated in by representatives from various CMOs in Asia, including India and Nepal.

- Espie Angelica A. de Leon