The Government has made it clear that it is serious about solving the copyright issue bedevilling the Media and Entertainment industry. The Copyright (Amendment) Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha has not only elated the M&E industry but is also being appreciated for the significant changes it will bring to the broadcast, music and film industry as a whole.
The Copyright Act (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament amends the Copyright Act, 1957.
The Bill extends copyright to a director as well, but for 70 years. It also makes special provisions for those whose work is used in films or sound recordings (e.g., lyricists or composers) and allows for the production of copyrighted work in special formats (such as Braille), for use by persons with disability, without infringing copyright.
The amendment provides for the availability of content to any broadcasting organisation (both television and radio) through the mechanism of statutory licensing on the payment of royalty to be determined by the Copyright Board which will fix separate rates for radio broadcasting and television broadcasting. This is to ensure that the content becomes available to everyone desirous of the same without any discrimination and on reasonable royalties to be fixed by the Copyright Board and, at the same time the owners of copyright works are also not subject to any disadvantages.
The Copyright Act (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament amends the Copyright Act, 1957.
The Bill, thus, expands definition of copyright to protect owners of literary or musical works and allows performers to make sound or visual recordings of their performances and reproducing them in any medium. Currently, the copyright of a film rests with the producer for 60 years.
The Bill extends copyright to a director as well, but for 70 years. It also makes special provisions for those whose work is used in films or sound recordings (e.g., lyricists or composers) and allows for the production of copyrighted work in special formats (such as Braille), for use by persons with disability, without infringing copyright.
The amendment provides for the availability of content to any broadcasting organisation (both television and radio) through the mechanism of statutory licensing on the payment of royalty to be determined by the Copyright Board which will fix separate rates for radio broadcasting and television broadcasting. This is to ensure that the content becomes available to everyone desirous of the same without any discrimination and on reasonable royalties to be fixed by the Copyright Board and, at the same time the owners of copyright works are also not subject to any disadvantages.