Balasubrahmanyam to claim royalties for the performance of his songs will serve a greater purpose if it can clarify the confusion on this subject in the minds of music industry professionals and the legal fraternity. In other words, royalties are the salary and pension plan of creators and the legacy to their heirs. Only PRS for Music and its sister societies around the globe have the right to licence the public performance of Ilaiyaraaja’s songs. Balasubrahmanyam’s concerts pay royalties to a PRO, this money cannot reach Ilaiyaraaja if his songs are not found in its database. Achille Forler is an expert on music copyright administration and advocate of authors’ rights

Source: The Hindu March 28, 2017 00:41 UTC