IMI forms Eastern Working Group of music labels to counter piracy

The body will organise a number of workshops for IMI members in eastern India to acquaint them with the vast-changing digital scenario in music industry

The Indian Music Industry (IMI), the apex body that represents music labels, has formed the Eastern Working Group to look into the challenges faced by the industry in eastern India, its president Blaise Fernandes has said.

The Eastern Working Group would also look into ways to face the challenge of digital piracy, Fernandes said it will organise a number of workshops for IMI members in eastern India to acquaint them with the vast-changing digital scenario in music world.

"We can turn these developments as a big opportunity for the music labels," he said yesterday.

Fernandes said the EWG (Eastern Working Group) will work with the cyber crime cells of various states in eastern India to tackle digital piracy.

The working group will comprise D Lahri from Asha Audio, Prem Kumar Gupta from Raga Music, Biplab Upadhaya from Times Music, and Devraj Sanyal of Universal Music Group and board member of IMI, will be the Sherpa of the Eastern Working Group.

Lahiri said, "We look forward to holding regular interactions with the IMI Board and the other IMI members from Eastern India to discuss various solutions aimed at improving the business of the music labels of the region."

The IMI is the apex body that represents the interest of the record labels in India. IMI is an affiliate of IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), the global representative of the music labels.