New Delhi, April 28 -- India's music industry is finally witnessing a long-awaited shift from free to paid consumption, with revenues and subscriptions climbing steadily.

Yet the transition remains fragile. Sustaining the move from free to paid listening is critical, especially at a time when AI-generated versions of songs threaten to divert streams from original works and pirated sources continue to undercut legitimate consumption.

Speaking to Mint, Victoria Oakley, chief executive officer of IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry)-the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide-said the recent uptick in paid streaming marks a long-promised transition for India.

However, she caut...