Why Music Publishing Matters More Than Ever in India

India’s music landscape is exploding. Independent artists are becoming global names, regional genres are crossing borders, and streaming numbers are rising faster than almost anywhere else in the world.
But in the middle of this creative surge, one crucial piece of the industry remains overlooked, misunderstood, and undervalued:

Music publishing.

Publishing is the engine that powers a sustainable music career. It governs ownership, ensures royalties are collected, and keeps income flowing long after a track is released. As India steps into the global spotlight, strong publishing support isn’t just helpful - it’s essential.

Below is a breakdown of why publishing is becoming a major priority in India, and how Elizabeth Music Group is helping creators build real, long-term revenue from their work.

Why Publishing Is Becoming Mission-Critical in India

1. India’s Music Economy Is Growing Beyond Streaming

Streaming may dominate headlines, but it’s only part of the revenue ecosystem. Real long-term earnings come from:

• Publishing royalties

• Performance income

• Mechanical royalties

• Sync licensing

• International collections

For many Indian musicians, these income streams simply go uncollected. Songs aren’t registered correctly, splits aren’t documented, and global collections fall through the cracks.

As India becomes more globally connected, ignoring publishing royalties means leaving serious money on the table.

2. There’s Widespread Confusion About Rights

A large percentage of artists still assume that uploading to Spotify or YouTube automatically protects their work.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t.

Without publishing support, creators frequently:

• Lose ownership in their compositions

• Agree to unfavorable splits or sign work for hire agreements

• Miss out on performance royalties

• Fail to register their work internationally

• Enter negotiations without proper leverage

India’s creative boom needs an equal boom in education around copyrights, splits, and royalties.

3. Demand for Indian Music in Sync Is Surging - But the Music Isn’t Always Sync-Ready

Global brands and film studios are actively seeking Indian sounds. But most creators lack the basic elements supervisors need:

• Clean metadata

• Proper publishing clearance

• Stems and alt mixes

• Clear, documented splits

• A fast approval process

Missing even one of these elements can kill a sync opportunity - no matter how great the song is.

Publishers ensure that music is organized, cleared, and ready to license instantly.

4. Collecting Global Royalties Alone Is Nearly Impossible

Indian creators commonly lose out on:

• International streaming mechanicals

• Live performance royalties

• Radio and broadcast income

• Overseas sync payments

• PRO and CMO payouts

Without a publisher, most of this money sits in black boxes - never reaching the people who earned it.

A global publisher like Elizabeth Music Group ensures every cent finds its way home.

5. India’s Independent Explosion Needs Real Infrastructure

From indie pop to hip-hop, India’s independent scene is growing at lightning speed. But without proper systems in place, the growth comes with problems:

• Royalty disputes

• Missing payments

• Unclaimed copyrights

• Collaboration breakdowns

• Confusion around ownership

Publishing provides the backbone that keeps the ecosystem stable and financially fair.

How Elizabeth Music Group Supports Indian Artists

Elizabeth Music Group was built to give Indian creators the same level of publishing infrastructure that global artists rely on.

Here’s how EMG empowers the community:

1. Worldwide Royalty Collection

We ensure that every song is:

• Registered globally

• Linked with major PROs and pay sources

• Tracked across all platforms

• Collected from every available revenue stream

Creators shouldn’t need to chase down data, emails, or random royalty reports - EMG handles the complexity.

2. Real Sync Licensing Opportunities

Indian music is in demand, but most artists don’t have direct access to sync supervisors. Our roster gets:

• High-value sync briefs

• Pitching opportunities for TV, film, advertising, gaming, and trailers

• Metadata support

We open the door between Indian creators and the global sync market.

3. Split Management and Copyright Protection

We help our creators avoid disputes by ensuring:

• Splits are documented correctly

• Agreements are fair and transparent

• Ownership is clearly protected

• Royalties flow to the right places

A well-managed song is a profitable song.

4. Catalog Development and Career Strategy

Publishing is long-term growth. Elizabeth Music Group helps creators build catalogs that attract:

• Sync placements

• Collaborations

• Co-writing opportunities

• Production work

We support creative and strategic decisions that build sustainable careers.

5. Education, Clarity, and Transparency

A major part of our mission is educating artists about:

• How publishing actually works

• How royalties flow globally

• How to prepare music for sync

• How to build passive income from their catalog

India’s music culture is leveling up. Knowledge must level up with it.

The Road Ahead for Music Publishing in India

India is on track to become one of the world’s most influential music markets. And as opportunities expand, the artists who understand and manage their publishing will be the ones who grow the fastest.

Publishing isn’t optional anymore.
It’s the foundation of:

• Financial stability

• Global visibility

• Long-term career growth

• Creative ownership

And this is exactly where Elizabeth Music Group is helping creators take the next step.

Reach out to Elizabeth Music Group if you are looking for a publisher to help you collect your global royalties.