Sony/ATV forays into India

Sony/ATV, a music publishing company, co-owned by Sony and The Michael Jackson Family Trust, is now stepping onto Indian shores through an exclusive strategic alliance with Sony Music Entertainment India.

As per the arrangement, Sony/ATV will exploit and manage Sony Music India's publishing work overseas. Meanwhile, Sony Music India will manage Sony/ATV's international work across four countries -- India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Through this JV, Sony Music Entertainment India aims to develop the song writing business in the country by increasing awareness of rights amongst the numerous stakeholders in the industry.

Interestingly, according to the FICCI-KPMG report, the Indian music industry currently stands at an approximate Rs 900 crore (2010), and is expected to touch Rs 1,900 crore by 2015.

Commenting on its exclusive tie-up with Sony/ATV, Shridhar Subramaniam, president, Sony India and West Asia, says, "In India, the publishing industry is at a nascent stage, and we are very excited to have entered into a JV with our sister concern, Sony/ATV, to develop this business. Through this joint venture, we will represent its 750,000 plus global assets in India, and Sony/ATV will represent Sony Music India's musical works, internationally. There is a huge opportunity in India and we believe that in a span of three years, it will constitute a third of the music industry in value."

Guy Henderson, senior vice-president, international, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, says in an official communiqué, "India is an extremely vibrant growing music market and there is a huge scope for the publishing business here. We, along with Sony Music, plan to nurture, develop and grow this segment, and together hope to create some significant revenue opportunities."

Sony/ATV India is currently in the process of signing various Indian artistes (both new and established). It already administers more than 2,000 of Sony Music India's Indian work -- Bollywood, Tamil and non-film -- across international markets.

Headquartered in New York City, Sony/ATV Music Publishing has 32 offices in 23 countries. Besides working with established artistes, Sony/ATV India operations will focus on identifying new and talented songwriters and composers to bring them on-board. Its core relationship with the artistes it brings on board will be to secure commissions for new work (to pitch songs to recording artists), as well as ensuring security of IPR (intellectual property rights) for the compositions of its artistes and composers by registering their work with all appropriate collecting societies and agencies.

Through this JV, Sony/ATV India attempts to help Indian artistes and composers get proper and timely monitoring, tracking, collection and payment for the use of music they own and administer. As part of its monitoring mechanism, Sony/ATV India will also ensure corrective, as well as punitive action against those using its music without necessary license through collaborative efforts with local law enforcement authorities.

At Sony/ATV India, Indian works and artistes will have access to the company's global administration and registration services, monetisation and licensing capabilities, business and legal affairs administration, accounting and reporting services, access to Sony/ATV global offices and its copyright claims and infringement tracking network.