COPYRIGHT

Original works of literature, drama, music, and art are protected by copyright; this also applies to cinematography and sound recordings. The above-mentioned works’ copyright holders are entitled to economic rights under Section 14 of the Copyright Act, 1957. The primary rights pertain to literary, dramatic, and musical works, excluding computer programs. These rights include the ability to duplicate the work in any format, including electronic files, distribute copies of the work to the public, perform the work in public or share it with the public, create cinematographic films or sound recordings based on the work, and translate or adapt the work. When it comes to computer programs, the author also has the right to offer for sale or hire, sell, or provide any copy of the programme for hire or sale, regardless of whether it has already been sold or given on hire. Regarding an artistic work, an author’s rights encompass the ability to duplicate the work in any material format, such as portraying a two-dimensional work in three dimensions or a three-dimensional work in two dimensions, disseminating or copying the work to the general public, incorporating the work into cinematography, and modifying the work in any way. When it comes to cinematograph films, the creator is entitled to manufacture duplicates of the work, including photos of any images that appear in it, as well as to offer, sell, or otherwise deal in copies of the work and show it to the general public. The author of a sound recording also has access to these rights. In addition to the aforementioned rights, the creator of a painting, sculpture, drawing, or manuscript for a play, or musical piece, if he was the initial copyright holder, will be eligible for a portion of the original copy’s resale value, so long as the amount exceeds ten thousand rupees.