MUMBAI: Day 2 at Nokia Music Connects 3 commenced on a legal note with lawyer Hardeep Singh Anand enlightening the industry about section 14 of the copyright act in the case of literary, dramatic or musical work for the lyricists and composers.

He threw light over the six rights that section 14(a) grants to composers & lyricists like to reproduce the work in any material form, distribute, right to communication, cinematography films or sound recording, to make translation in work and to make any adaptation of the work. Besides making the industry familiar with the copyright act, Singh also gave a regulatory perspective and an overview on the proposed amendments of section 18, enhancement of role of copyright board of section 31(a)(b)(c) and exclusive rights to performers. He concluded saying that a well regulated compulsory licensing system will help the music industry to function impeccably.

After the key note session an interesting panel discussion on "Redefining the Music Industry" was moderated by Times Music COO Mandar Thakur including Saregama India Ltd. head - music business Adarsh Gupta; Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. managing director & CEO Neeraj Roy; Nokia India head - devices OPM & services marketing Jasmeet Gandhi; Google Hong Kong Ltd. head of YouTube Partnerships Anthony Zameczkowski; IMI secretary general & MMX senior vice-president Savio D'Souza and Omnifone executive chairman Rob Lewis.

Today, the music industry is evolving and digital is the big shift that is generating revenues and driving the focus of the entire music industry. On music being the core of the next generation of search, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. managing director & CEO Neeraj Roy said, In the last 10 years consumption of music has become 20/30 fold. I believe music and videos will become like air in the next five years. The digital landscape has unfolded many opportunities and the business of music is evolving, therefore it is very important to understand consumer behavior and the ecosystem....

Nokia India head - devices OPM & services marketing Jasmeet Gandhi said, The big shift on digital is happening and this is the focus of the industry. DRM free music in a big way is acknowledged by the industry and everybody is moving in this direction. Nokia has always focused on its consumer base and will continue to increase its visibility in the market....

From consumption to selling, the music industry is reinventing themselves with the changing dynamics and focusing towards building a new ecosystem that will adopt the changes and curb piracy.

Gandhi pointed out that the Indian music industry has taken a very proactive approach towards licensing. Taking the discussion further, IMI secretary general & MMX senior vice-president Savio D'Souza opined, "The industry has to unite to curb music piracy, Why are we looking at pirate companies in Europe and not at Andheri station? Why don't we provide them license in 20,000 rupees?. The consumption patterns of music have changed, it has become very easily accessible and the challenge for the industry is to come on one platform and give music in one form.

Omnifone executive chairman Rob Lewis said, There is substantial growth in the global services. Consumers are opting changes, revenues are growing, but piracy and physical sales still remain a problem....

In the Indian market any tangible ecosystem cannot be build without co-opting with ISP and telecom industry. Co-opting with ISP is central. Google Hong Kong Ltd. head of YouTube Partnerships Anthony Zameczkowski said, Bollywood use Youtube to reach out to global audience specially in US and UK. Tablets, Smart phones and mobiles are used widely to consume music....

The panel further debated on the need for record labels in spite of digital being the new way. Thakur pointed out that when the artiste can record and release music digitally what is the role of music labels?. Saregama India Ltd. head - music business Adarsh Gupta said, Artistes need 360 degree approach and visibility through CD and digital. We are trying to embrace this ecosystem and build such things....

The panel together agreed that the future for the industry is the new cloud based service which was also seen as one of the key ecosystem to redefine the industry. The discussion ended on a positive note summarizing that in India digital and labels go hand in hand.