Javed Akhtar Advocates Creative Freedom; Govt to Partner with Spotify, YouTube for Folk Music Promotion

New Delhi, April 29, 2025:
Veteran lyricist and Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) Chairman, Shri Javed Akhtar, made a strong appeal for the protection of artistic integrity in an increasingly commercialised music industry at FICCI’s 'IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP' conference held in the capital.

Akhtar, a leading voice in the Indian creative community, expressed concern over growing corporate influence that restricts the freedom of artists. “There has to be a balance between creativity and the market,” he said. “If you only follow the market’s orders, where is the creativity, the experiment, or the courage?”

He underlined that the marketing-led approach to music production is limiting the space for innovation. “The elbow room becomes restless for creativity,” he remarked.

Celebrating IPRS’s dramatic transformation since 2017, Akhtar highlighted how changes in copyright law gave composers and writers more agency. “When we took over, the income was ₹42 crore. This year, it’s crossed ₹730 crore. Soon, we may cross ₹1,000 crore,” he noted, calling IPRS “the fastest growing society for writers and composers in the world.”

However, Akhtar cautioned that despite progress in legislation, implementation on the ground remains weak. He reiterated the need for fair compensation as a cornerstone for sustainable artistic output. “We need security for artists to ensure the security of the music industry itself.”

In a major announcement, Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Union Ministry of Culture, revealed that the government is in advanced discussions with Spotify and YouTube to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at promoting folk and traditional music. “These genres lack commercial exposure. We want to change that,” he said.

Further, Aggarwal revealed that the Ministry is actively pursuing Geographical Indication (GI) registration for traditional musical styles and instruments. "Every region has a unique musical culture that must be protected and celebrated," he added.

To support regional and grassroots artists, the Ministry plans to establish IP education and support cells in cultural academies. These will help creators, especially in regional languages, with intellectual property registration and awareness.

FICCI IPR Committee Chairman Shri Anil Rajput announced the signing of an MoU with WIPO to establish an "IP for Business Center" at FICCI — a landmark move after over a decade of efforts. “It will become a key resource for creators and innovators across India,” Rajput said.

Highlighting enforcement as a critical gap, FICCI and DPIIT have also launched an updated Police Toolkit for IP Enforcement to aid officers in combating IP violations more effectively.

On AI’s rising role in music, Rajput called for proactive measures: “We need to protect the industry from misuse while building frameworks to harness AI positively.”

The conference marked a crucial step forward for India’s music ecosystem — blending tradition, innovation, and policy reform to protect creativity in the digital age.