India’s accession to WIPO copyright treaty (WCT) & WIPO performances & phonograms treaty (WPPT) is a game changer according to IPRS.
In fact the IPRS wholeheartedly welcomes the decision of the Union Cabinet on 4th Jul, 2018, as reported by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), that India would accede to the “Internet Treaties” namely the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) & WIPO Performances & Phonograms Treaty (WPPT). This is an extremely positive development which will greatly benefit the Indian creative industries. While India had aligned its Copyright law with WCT & WPPT in 2012, the formal accession by India to these Treaties will greatly help the Indian creative industry by ensuring creators & creative businesses benefit from the digital & online dissemination of their works protected under Berne Convention & other Treaties. The WCT & WPPT will also formalize India’s existing commitment to enhance the protection of works by mandating technological protection measures as also ensure the reliability of digital/online marketplaces by preventing the tampering or dilution of rights management information.
IPRS and its entire membership support thanked the Government of India headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its decision.
Javed Akhtar, poet, script writer & lyricist & above all Chairman of IPRS averred, “Full credit is due to Suresh Prabhu the Minister Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) as well as to the stellar team at DIPP comprising of Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary, Rajiv Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Sushil Satpute, Director & Hoshiar Singh The Registrar Copyrights for ensuring that India truly mainstreams its copyright sector into rapidly growing digital markets. This will benefit creators as Berne Convention will find firm footing in the digital domain. I congratulate & thank the Government of India for this positive decision and for supporting artistes & creative sector”
Vikram Mehra, MD of Saregama India Ltd & Director of IPRS avered, “The Cabinet decision to bring India into WIPO Internet Treaties’ fold is a very positive development. Securing & protecting right of distribution & dissemination in online & digital space is just the push needed to ensure that copyright sector truly benefits from rapid expansion of digital & online platforms in India. Kudos to DIPP!”
Raju Singh Composer & Director IPRS said, “India is truly now a part of world -wide market in relation to creative works. The decision of Cabinet to become part of internet Treaties is one thing that we need to signify the arrival of India’s truly significant soft power signified by its creative industries. Congratulations to Government!”
Rakesh Nigam CEO, IPRS said, “it is heartening to see how serious the Government in its efforts to see that the interests of the creative sector are protected not only in India, but that sector is able to benefit from a harmonized system across the world. The decision of the Cabinet to accede to the Internet Treaties will ensure that IPRS & copyright sector in India is able to secure due benefits from around the world in a more efficient manner, particularly in the digital domain”
IPRS is sole Indian copyright society, registered under Copyright Act, 1957, administering musical works & literary works associated with musical works. The members of IPRS comprise of Authors (lyricists), Music Composers & Music Publishers.
