A lot of people are not aware, or atleast not very clear about the functioning of IPRS. They often ask, What is the business of IPRS? Well, in short, the business of IPRS is to issue Licences to users of music and collect Royalties from them, for and on behalf of its Members i.e. the Authors, the Composers and the Publishers of Music and distribute this Royalty amongst them after deducting its administrative costs. The IPRS came into existence on 23rd August 1969. The IPRS is a representative body of Owners of Music, viz. The Composers, Lyricists (or Authors) and the Publishers of Music and is also the sole Authorised Body to issue Licences permitting usage of Music within India by any person. Composers are those who are better known as Music Directors, Authors are better known as Lyricists, Publishers of Music are the Producers of Films and Music Companies, or those who hold Publishing Rights of the Musical Works. The Society is a non-profit making Organisation and is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered under the Companies Act, 1956. It is also registered under Section 33 of the Copyright Act, 1957 as the Only Copyright Society in the Country to do business of issuing Licenses for usage of Music. In other words, IPRS is the only National Copyright Society in the Country which is permitted to commence and carry on the Copyright Business in Musical Works and any Words or any Action intended to be sung, spoken or performed with the music. It has received the Certificate of Registration from the Registrar of Copyrights dated 27-3-1996.