Rajesh Dessai wrote:
With such a lot of talk going on about copyright, I just wonder if
anyone of the writers has personally experienced , or knows about the
procedures for copyright registration in India. The procedures are
very lengthy and long drawn. At times it takes a few years for the
copyright to be registered in India. It is not an easy or simple
process. It is not enough for a music producer to claim that his
product is covered by copyright, as is the case with most of the music
cd's available on the shelves in India.
I don't think the information given above is correct. Copyright is
automatic, on the creation of a work (it can be registered too, but in
any case, the process of creating a work leads to it being 'copyrighted'):
QUOTE
Is it necessary to register a work to claim copyright?
No. Acquisition of copyright is automatic and it does not require any
formality. However, certificate of registration of copyright and the
entries made therein serve as prima facie evidence in a court of law
with reference to dispute relating to ownership of copyright.
What is the procedure for registration of a work under the Copyright
Act,1957?
Copyright comes into existence as soon as a work is created and no
formality is required to be completed for acquiring copyright. However,
facilities exist for having the work registered in the Register of
Copyrights maintained in the Copyright Office of the Department of
Education. The entries made in the Register of Copyrights serve as
prima-facie evidence in the court of law. The Copyright Office has been
set up to provide registration facilities to all types of works and is
headed by a Registrar of Copyrights and is located at B.2/W.3, C.R.
Barracks, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi- 110 003, Tel: 338 4387
UNQUOTE
SOURCE: http://www.education.nic.in/copyright.asp
I also believe India took a more cautious approach towards copyright in
the past, though now we all want to make a fast buck out of it (and use
it against people we don't like for whatever purpose :-))
Is it not true that strict application of the principle of protection of
copyright hampers economic and cultural development of the society?
Yes. If copyright protection is applied rigidly, it can hamper progress
of the society. However, copyright laws are enacted with necessary
exceptions and limitations to ensure that a balance is maintained
between the interests of the creators and of the community.
[Same website.]
FN
