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In a recent conversation, Javed Akhtar opened up about the importance of IP laws in the music industry. Ace screenwriter, lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar known for his songs like Dard-e-Disco, Ghar Se Nikalte Hi, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and Dekha Ek Khwaab, recently opened up how artists in the music industry are secured. Akhtar, who also serves as the chairperson of the Indian Performing Right Society, revealed the importance of intellectual property laws for the financial security of the artist during the “IP and Music: Feel the beat of IP" conference organised by FICCI.
During the candid chat over there, Javed Akhtar stated that it’s only possible for the artists to refuse the work they don’t want to do if they are financially secure. He said in his inaugural address, “..
. It is not heartfelt, it is ordered. They have been told to do this.
They don’t have freedom," adding, “Wherever they have freedom, they will make this music industry more alive and potent. This can only happen by any kind of good creative work. It can only happen if you give power to the artists.
Whatever he has done, he should be rewarded for that. Economically and financially, he should be secure. He should be able to say no.
" The veteran screenwriter further stressed the robust system and continued, “As long as he is straitjacketed in such conditions where he has to survive financially to get two square meals on his table for his family, how can he? Some martyrs do that but we can’t expect everybody to do that. We need the security of the artist for the security of the music industry. We need strong rules that are implemented on the ground for a healthier music industry.
" Renowned for his contribution to the music industry, Akhtar even elaborated on the current state of music’s shelf life and mentioned how there can be a “balance between creativity and marketing". The lyricist added, “You have to make your market, that’s called marketing. If you are adhering to the market, then what kind of marketing person are you? There is no creativity in you.
No experiment, no courage. How do you make an artist be able to say, ‘No, I will not do this. No, I have this right?’ That is where the IP laws come in.
.." Highlighting the importance of IP laws, Akhtar mentioned, “Whatever you do from the depth of your heart, it reaches other people’s hearts.
Your dishonesty and cold-blooded attitude towards the work also gets conveyed instinctively." As stated on its official IPRS website, they grant licenses to ‘music users’ and collect royalties for the same. Meanwhile, the body legitimises the use of copyrighted music and helps authors, composers, and music publishers get their fair share.
According to Akhtar, when he took over IPRS in 2017, the annual income of the body was almost Rs. 42 crore. Over the years, it has already surpassed Rs.
730 crore, and is eyeing it’s their next milestone – Rs. 1,000 crore..
