Copyrights
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.…
Choose between India and France before creating your work !
If trademark laws are nearly similar in India and France, laws to protect a work in these countries are conversely very different. Designated as Copyright law in India and as Author’s Right in France, the two regimes endeavour, nonetheless, to answer to the same imperatives. The origin of this…
Why copyright in India should be considered an important asset
When one spends a considerable amount of time and effort in creating something, one should be made aware of the intellectual property protection that one could avail. Copyright is one such right that is made available to the creator of an original literary, dramatic, artistic, or musical work. Such…
Freedom of Panorama
The concept of “Freedom of Panorama” is a copyright exception wherein the law permits taking photographs, video footage and creating other images (such as paintings) of buildings, sculptures and other art works which are permanently located in a public place, without infringing any copyright that…
Software Piracy raids on Startups - Know your rights
So you’ve just set up your company, and working at acquiring clients, you pounce on the phone as soon as it rings/ rush to the door at the prospect of a new client walking through the doors. Not all calls and visits may be pleasant. I’ve listed out two situations below which just might fall under…
Disability Exceptions in Copyright
Copyright law, which protects literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and affiliated works, mandates that in order to copy or use a copyrighted work one has to get permission from its owner or the author and this has been one of the major reasons for the visually impaired and otherwise print disabled…
Freedom 251 phone icons – Ring any Bells?
My day in office began with the conversation on whether my colleague was lucky enough to order the Freedom 251 smart phone, supposedly the India's first and cheapest smartphone (around USD 4) which was launched yesterday by Noida-based company Ringing Bells. While everyone is curious to see how the…
Think before you ink! Copyright and tattoos
The evolution of tattoos is as interesting as the art itself; it was the during the voyages for the discovery of new worlds that the Europeans came across natives having these permanent designs of themselves. These later became a rage in Europe, which later died down to be used by criminals as well…
Public Domain Day – The Day that Copyright Endeth
The first of January of each year is, well, the New Year’s Day for most part of the world. It is also another reason for celebration for some authors, researchers, archivists and book publishers. January 1st also happens to be Public Domain Day. Each year on this day the copyright in older works…
Copyright is no monkey business – According to U.S Court Judgement
If you haven’t seen this photograph before (which is highly unlikely) you might think is that for real? Did a monkey actually take a selfie? The answer is yes! This beaming monkey has attained pop culture popularity in over the past two years. Coming back to business, the reason why the image above…