Copyright
Perspectives on copyright across India and the subcontinent.
Navarre Roy · 2 July 2014
Performers' Rights Under Indian Copyright Law
Beyond the author's copyright, the actor, singer or performer has their own rights. Who counts as a performer, the economic and moral rights they hold, the 50-year term, and the fair-use exceptions — explained through the world's stage.
25 June 2014
Copyright and Music: 5 Things Every Band Should Keep in Mind
Bands break up, members leave, someone else composes the hit — and suddenly ownership matters. Five legal essentials for bands: an agreement between members, a legal entity, a trademark for the name, copyright in the songs, and written licences to monetise.
Navarre Roy · 18 June 2014
Playing Music in Your Shop? You Need a Licence — Here's Why
That saxophone in the elevator isn't free to play. A song carries three separate copyrights — lyrics, music and sound recording — and playing it in any commercial space needs a licence. How music licensing and copyright societies work in India.
Raja Pannir Selvam · 7 March 2014
Gulaab Gang: A Pre-Release Injunction Granted, Then Vacated in a Day
Sampat Pal sued over a film inspired by her pink-sari vigilante group, claiming defamation and IP violation. The Delhi High Court blocked the release on 5 March 2014. The producers appealed on the 6th, and the film opened on the 7th — with a disclaimer.
Nikita · 24 January 2014
Yoga and IP: Stretched Too Far?
Can anyone own a yoga asana? India's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library documented 900+ asanas to stop monopolisation, the US Copyright Office ruled poses uncopyrightable, and the Delhi HC's Pranic Healing case confirmed you can't copyright an exercise sequence.
Raja Pannir Selvam · 19 December 2013
Who Owns the Copyright in a Movie? The Producer
When a writer's script and songs are woven into a film, the producer becomes the first owner of the copyright — unless a contract says otherwise. The Zanjeer ruling, and why contracts decide who can remake a film.
Navarre Roy · 30 August 2013
Ex-Employees Took the Client Database: Why the Company Got an Injunction
Four employees left, set up a rival, and contacted the old firm's clients. The Delhi High Court held a compiled client database is a copyright-protected 'literary work' owned by the employer — and enjoined its use.
11 March 2013
Can You Trademark a Book Title?
Copyright protects the text but not the title. A series title can function as a trademark relatively readily; a single work's title needs proof of secondary meaning — that audiences hear the title and think of your book.