SLIDE SHOW

G.V. Prakash : Composer turns crusader !
Published Date: Jul 17, 2013

Following G.V. Prakash’s unreserved statements on the state of affairs between record labels and composers, the music industry and its members have echoed the young man’s sentiments. The core issue being that one of the biggest labels in the South are allegedly producing fake agreements and forcibly getting it signed by composers, lyricists and singers, under the pretext of offering advance royalties. The fact according to G.V. Prakash is that no advances are being paid and these fake agreements deprive the songwriters of any financial benefits in the long run.

Behindwoods got in touch with G.V.Prakash to dig in some more details about the claims he’s made. Talking to our correspondent he said “The problem is not with the Copyright Amendment Act of 2012 as it has been greatly beneficial for the composers, singers and songwriters. The issue is with these big labels who present fraudulent agreements which state the payment of advance royalties but in realty no such compensation is given.”

G.V also went on to say that this issue has cropped up only in the last 2 months and feels that the record labels are misusing the Copyright Amendment Act of 2012. Formal action is being taken through the Writers Union and the Producer’s Council. G.V. Prakash also categorically said “I have nothing against audio labels and I have always supported them, but not these fraudulent agreements. I’m not doing this for myself but for the songwriters and the upcoming generation of composers to get the dues they deserve.”

“Cinema has gone digital, and so has the music. Physical sales have watered down and the revenue is healthy in the online streams and through mobile ringtones. This is the area where the industry is being robbed and deprived of rewards”, said the newlywed Thalaivaa composer.

G.V. Prakash also told Behindwoods that he plans to start his own label in the future in a bid to tackle this issue. He also advised fellow members of the industry to seek legal assistance before signing any contracts and fully understanding its details. He also believed that these falsified documentations can lead to taxation issues in the long run.

Another important point that G.V.Prakash raised in his conversation with Behindwoods is that audio labels do not hold the rights of the film trailers that they host on their Youtube channel. The rights, G.V says, belongs to the producer and as a newly turned producer himself he plans to raise this issue too with the Producer’s council.