Copyrights
DU Copyright Case - Easy Access to education or yet another loop hole
The much-anticipated ruling in the appeal filed by the Publishers in The Chancellor, Masters & Scholars of University of Oxford v. Rameshwari Photocopy Services case was pronounced on December 9, 2016 by the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court. A detailed account on the facts and other…
ISRA wins yet another case at the Delhi High Court
The Indian Singers’ Rights Association (ISRA) on 30th September won yet another case at the Delhi High Court against Night Fever Club & Lounge, Delhi. This is the second of its kind in recent times with the first being two months ago against Chapter 25 Bar and Restaurant, Delhi where performers…
A new occurrence in the Delhi University Copyright Case
The much spoken about verdict pronounced by Justice Endlaw on the Delhi University Copy right case has yet again grabbed everyone's attention as the Publishers filed an appeal against the decision. The Delhi high court after a series of litigation had held that the making of course packs for the…
Supreme Court re-affirms - No royalty for lyricists and music composers
Undoubtedly, lyricists (the authors of literary works) and music composers of a song (musical work) are the true and first owners as far as copyright is concerned. However, the Hon’ble Supreme Court is of a different view and in International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers…
A breakthrough for Indian Copyright Law
The Delhi High Court on the 16th of September, 2016 pronounced a landmark verdict in the case of The Chancellor, Masters & Scholars of The University of Oxford & ors. Vs. Rameshwari Photocopy Services & Anr that is likely to bring about a far-flung impact on the copyright laws in India…
“Viewing pirated videos/films will not land you in jail” – Setting A wrong precedent?
The buzz about legality of watching pirated movies on blocked websites has been doing the rounds for a while. The Bombay High Court in Eros International Media Limited v. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, pronounced that “mere viewing of blocked websites and its content (the pirated movie) is not an…
Online broadcasting now within the purview of the Copyright Act
Broadcasting rights and its statutory licensing under the Copyright Act is dealt under the provisions of Section 31D, inserted by virtue of the 2012 Amendment. Section 31D allows “Any broadcasting organization desirous of communicating to the public by way of a broadcast or by way of performance of…
Version Recordings and Indian legislation
Version Recordings as defined by Justice Mukul Mudgal are such sound recordings which being inspired by the original melody, are a distinct interpretation in presentation, rhythm and orchestral arrangement. In India, a nation that flourishes with Bollywood motion pictures as well as music, the…
Recognition of Performers' Rights by the Indian Courts
The Copyright Act, 1957 was amended and came into effect on June 21, 2012. One of the major amendments that it brought along with it is with respect to Performers' right in India. Chapter VIII of the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012 is now in consonance with Article 14 of the TRIPS agreement as well…
Happy or Un-Happy Birthday – copyright over a famous song!
Songs form the corner stone of the music industry. Section 17 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 states that the author (composer and the lyricist in case of a song) is the first owner of the copyright. No one has the right to exploit a song unless the author of the song authorizes him/her to do so.…