Kobalt's mechanical and performance rights to be administered in India by IPRS via sub-publisher Turnkey Music Publishing

By Emmanuel Legrand

​The Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS) has signed an agreement with music publisher Kobalt to administer both the performing and mechanical rights of the international catalogues signed to it. 

  The deal includes the catalogues from Kobalt Music Publishing, Fairwood Music Group, and Konic Records which are represented in India via a sub-publishing agreement with Turnkey Music Publishing. 

  Kobalt has become the first international publisher to sign with IPRS since its re-admittance into the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) as a full member in December 2018. 

A long time coming

  "This has taken a long time coming and we are delighted that finally, the IPRS is administering the international works we represent for India," said Atul Churamani, Managing Director of Turnkey Music Publishing. "This association will open up revenue streams for the Kobalt, Fairwood, and other catalogues that we represent." 

  IPRS CEO Rakesh Nigam added, “We are very glad to have an international publisher like Kobalt on board. With international publishers joining us it would help us enhance the valuation for all the stakeholders, including them. The streaming platforms have witnessed an upsurge in the consumption of international content. With associations similar to the one we have entered into with Kobalt, IPRS will now be able to derive the desired value for the international works in India as so far we haven’t been licensed to do so.”