IPRS Joins Global Call to Protect Human Creativity

MUMBAI:
As artificial intelligence accelerates one of the most profound transformations in the history of the creative industries, The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) has joined creators, authors’ societies and cultural leaders from around the world in supporting the Paris Commitment a landmark global declaration calling for the protection of human creativity, creator rights and cultural diversity in the AI era.

The declaration was adopted during the centenary General Assembly of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) in Paris, bringing together more than 450 creators, policymakers, collective management organisations and industry leaders from across the globe to address one of the defining challenges facing creative communities today: ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of creators.

Representing India at the historic gathering were Javed Akhtar, Chairperson, IPRS, and Rakesh Nigam, CEO, IPRS; ; Ameet Datta, Legal Head, IPRS and Mayur Puri, lyricist, screenwriter, director and Board Member, IPRS, reaffirming India’s growing role in international conversations surrounding copyright, artificial intelligence and the future of creator rights.

Among those signing the declaration were some of the world’s most influential creators and rights advocates, including Javed Akhtar, lyricist and Chairperson of IPRS; Björn Ulvaeus, ABBA co-founder and President of CISAC; Jean-Michel Jarre, composer and performing artist; Yvonne Chaka Chaka, singer-songwriter and CISAC Vice-President; Paul Williams, songwriter and actor; Simon Franglen, composer; Teresa Parodi, CISAC Vice-President; Ángeles González-Sinde, screenwriter, filmmaker and CISAC Vice-President; Anja Unger, documentary filmmaker and President of LaScam; Kevin Brennan, member of the UK House of Lords and music creator; Jacopo Ettorre, singer-songwriter; Adelaide Damoah, visual artist; Vicco, music creator; Arriën Molema, President of CIAM; and Gadi Oron, Director General of CISAC.

The commitment was unveiled against the backdrop of growing international debate over the use of copyrighted works in training generative AI systems, with creators worldwide raising concerns around transparency, consent, attribution and remuneration.

The declaration outlines four key principles:

• Protecting human creativity and cultural diversity
• Ensuring transparency, licensing and fair remuneration in AI systems
• Strengthening collective management as a pillar of sustainable creative ecosystems
• Encouraging governments and policymakers to safeguard creators’ rights and cultural expression

Speaking on the significance of the declaration, Javed Akhtar, Chairperson, IPRS, said: “Creativity is one of the deepest expressions of our humanity. The Paris Commitment sends a united message from creators around the world: human creativity must continue to be valued, respected and protected. Technology can be a powerful enabler of progress, but it must not diminish the role of human imagination, lived experience, emotion and cultural identity. As AI evolves, we must ensure that creators remain visible, valued and fairly rewarded for their contributions.”

Rakesh Nigam, CEO, IPRS, added: “The conversation around AI is no longer only about technology it is increasingly about rights, ownership, accountability and the future of creative livelihoods. As one of the world’s fastest-growing creative markets, India has an important role to play in shaping how innovation and creator rights evolve together. Transparency, consent and fair remuneration must be central to any framework governing the use of creative works in AI systems. Human creativity remains the foundation upon which every creative industry is built.”

The significance of the Paris Commitment is further reinforced by insights from CISAC’s latest Annual Report, which highlights both the growing value of creativity and the increasing urgency of protecting creators’ rights in the AI era. According to the report, global collections for creators reached a record €13.97 billion, reflecting the expanding economic contribution of copyright-driven industries worldwide. Digital revenues have also grown by nearly 70% over the last decade, demonstrating how streaming, digital licensing and technology-enabled distribution are reshaping the creative economy. Importantly, the report identifies India as a key market in global discussions around artificial intelligence, copyright reform, collective management and creator remuneration, placing the country alongside major markets such as the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea and Australia in shaping the future of creator rights.

As governments increasingly recognise the creator economy as a driver of innovation, employment and cultural influence, the questions raised by the Paris Commitment have never been more relevant: How can creators retain control over their work in an AI-driven world? How can innovation be encouraged without undermining the value of human creativity? And how can creators be fairly compensated when their works contribute to training and improving AI systems?

As a member of CISAC’s global network representing more than five million creators across 111 countries and territories, IPRS supports collaborative international efforts that ensure technological progress strengthens, rather than weakens, the value of human creativity.

The Paris Commitment remains open for creators, organisations and supporters worldwide to endorse, reinforcing a shared global vision for a future where innovation and creativity coexist responsibly, sustainably and in a manner that continues to reward human ingenuity.