A Strategic Framework For Improving Copyright Environment in the Indian Film Industry

Abstract

Copyright is a right given by the law to creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic newlineworks and producers of cinematograph films and sound recordings. It is, in fact, a bundle newlineof rights such as the right of reproduction, right of communication to the public, rights of newlineadaptation and translation of the work. There could be slight variations in the composition newlineof the rights depending on the work. Copyright ensures certain minimum safeguards of newlinethe rights of authors over their creations, thereby protecting and rewarding creativity. newlineThe Indian film industry is a dominant cultural force in its own right. Especially in the newlineIndian subcontinent and in various other parts of the world, it wields considerable newlineinfluence, despite the preponderance of the culturally and commercially stronger newlineHollywood and its stranglehold on movie audiences around the world. However, rampant newlineplagiarism and unauthorized copying from Hollywood and other international films has newlinebeen a longstanding malaise hampering the reputation of Bollywood as a major creative newlinesource of original intellectual property.It is thus pertinent to explore the role, significance and treatment of copyright in the newlineIndian film industry and to investigate the various determinants of copyright environment newlinein the industry. The present study proposes to identify and analyze the factors that impact newlinethe copyright environment, and to explore the attitude of Indian film professionals newlinetowards copyright.The study has used a mixed-methods research approach. Primary data newlinewas collected through a survey of film-making professionals through a questionnaire. newlineCase studies were developed regarding specific movies for the in-depth analysis of newlinevarious aspects of infringement caused by these movies. An analysis was conducted of newlinethe incidence of copyright violations in the Hindi film industry through the lens of the newlineacademic discipline of anthropology. The above methods were adopted to achieve the newlineobjectives of this study in a holistic approach.