Chennai (PTI): The Indian Music Industry on Tuesday said that it is facing a loss of 50 per cent due to piracy and is struggling to "keep its head above water".

"Music Industry is facing losses of about 50 per cent due to piracy...the industry is trying to keep its head above water as we are fighting to retain the industry," Secretary General of IMI, a consortium of more than 140 music labels, Savio D'Souza told reporters here after a seminar on piracy for police officials.

D'Souza appreciated Tamil Nadu police for combating piracy and said that the state is "No.1" in detecting piracy-related cases in the country.

"Tamil Nadu is No.1 as regards detection and conviction in piracy-related cases," he said.

Meanwhile, Chennai Police Commissioner R Sekar said that 180-odd cases have been registered in the state with many persons being detained under Goondas Act.

"A total of Rs 13 crore worth piracy has been detected in the state," he added.