In Conversation With Anushree Rauta, Equity Partner (Head Of Media & Entertainment Practice), ANM Global

Anushree, would you please walk us through your early years of education and the decision to become a lawyer?

Growing up on the serene Pune University campus, I was deeply embedded in a culture that revered traditional careers in science. Like many of my peers, I initially pursued science in my 12th grade with ambitions leaning towards engineering or medicine. In those days, law was not seen as the preferred or secure choice, especially for first-generation lawyers without familial ties to the field. However, I harbored a not-so-secret aversion to Mathematics—a common trait I later discovered among many of my legal colleagues. There’s an ongoing joke in our circle that law is a refuge for those who can’t bear the sight of numbers!

During this period, my mother, who runs the NGO ‘National Women’s Organization’ focusing on environmental initiatives, introduced me to the esteemed senior advocate Shri. M.C. Mehta. His dedication to environmental law intrigued me at a pivotal moment—just after I had finished my board exams. Encouraged by my mother, I somewhat reluctantly filled out an application for ILS Law College, Pune. The college, ranked as the leading law college in India by India Today in 2005, the year I applied, seemed worth exploring.

As fate would have it, I was accepted, and what began as an alternative path quickly transformed into a passionate pursuit. Initially intent on becoming an environmental lawyer, my interest took a significant turn when I chose Intellectual Property Rights as an elective. This field captivated me entirely, shaping my career in ways I had never imagined. Media and entertainment as a separate subject were not known to me during my college days as it was a relatively nascent field. However, it complemented my interest in intellectual property rights and was immensely interesting. Thus, my journey into law began—not with a calculated decision, but with a serendipitous combination of curiosity, fate, and a strong desire to avoid any career that required calculus.

Tell us about your roles and responsibilities at work. What does a day in your shoes look like as Partner, ANM Global?

As an equity partner and the head of the media and entertainment practice at ANM Global, my days are a dynamic blend of mentoring, managing, and innovating. I’m privileged to lead a brilliant team, dedicating substantial time to guiding and supporting them. In addition to the regular responsibilities of executing work, my responsibilities span running our knowledge center, spearheading business development, managing client relationships, and ensuring our internal policies are smoothly upheld. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to make impactful decisions.

You have advised several music label startups in setting up their business and procuring memberships with collecting societies. What peculiar challenges do these startups face?

The Indian music industry's complexity is unmatched, characterised by a mix of registered and non-registered collecting societies amid ongoing litigation regarding their operational legitimacy. Startups often struggle with navigating this convoluted landscape of copyright and IT laws in India. A significant challenge is establishing robust business models that adhere to these regulations, particularly concerning the assignment of rights and securing memberships in societies essential for royalty collection. Many organisations miss out on royalty collection by not being a member of these societies, meaning revenue generated from their creative work goes unclaimed.

Can you tell us about one notable case you have been involved in during your career?

A standout moment in my career was representing Tips Industries Limited and international organisations SESAC (USA) and SUISA (Switzerland) during the radio statutory licensing matter before the IPAB. Conducted entirely over video conferencing due to the pandemic, this month-long virtual courtroom battle was a landmark learning experience. The case, filed by 10 Radio broadcasters seeking statutory licenses to fix royalties for sound recordings broadcasted through radio, culminated on December 31, 2020. The IPAB overhauled the existing royalty model, setting new precedents for how radio royalties are calculated across India.

What is your success mantra and what advice would you give others wanting to tread a similar path?

My success mantra revolves around continual learning and sharing knowledge. Every day brings new insights, whether it's a policy update, a legal development, or a novel approach to a contract clause. This passion for knowledge inspired me to start my blog, Iprmentlaw, an open access platform for those interested in media and entertainment laws. The life of a lawyer demands not only knowledge and skill but also discipline and a kind of penance in various forms, requiring unwavering consistency. To those aspiring to this path, my advice is to embrace the rigor of the profession. Don’t be swayed merely by its external glamour; instead, push yourself constantly out of your comfort zones and strive for excellence in every small task. The path to success is paved with discipline and a relentless pursuit of excellence in a world brimming with distractions.