Topic
How an independent Indian act can go from a few local shows to a five-city run: building a venue list, pitching promoters, agreeing a deal in writing, getting paid with tax handled correctly and routing a short tour. It complements our touring budget worksheet and GST guide. Laws and official pages checked on 25 Oct 2026; this is a starting point, not legal or tax advice.
Workflows
A recorded song is its own copyright in India, separate from the composition and the lyrics, and its author is the producer. This guide covers what the Copyright Office expects when you register a master: one application per track, Rs 2,000 per recording, consent from everyone who played or sang on it, and a 60-year term. Sources read on 24 Oct 2026.
Workflows
Gigs, session fees, streaming payouts and brand work are all taxable income in India, and past a certain turnover your music services also fall under GST. This guide explains the GST registration threshold for services, how presumptive taxation can simplify income tax for some music professionals, which return form usually applies, and the records that make all of it easy. It is a starting point to take to a chartered accountant, not tax advice.
Workflows
India splits music licensing between the song and the recording. IPRS speaks for composers, lyricists and publishers; PPL India licenses sound recordings assigned to it by labels. A 2025 Delhi High Court ruling questioned how PPL may license without being a registered copyright society. This guide explains the two sides and what an independent artist should do, using the Copyright Act text and court records read on 25 Oct 2026.
Workflows
A performing rights organisation (PRO) licenses the public performance of songs and pays the writers and publishers. Here is what that covers, how joining works at the big societies in the US, UK, Germany and India, and the income streams a PRO will never collect for you.
Workflows
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