A vibrant culture, with art and creativity expressed in many forms, enhances the quality and enjoyment of life. Just as inventors and scientists spend hours of work on their R&D, artists too put in a lot of time, money and energy creating their work. They also need a chance to make a fair return on their investment. Copyright is an intellectual property that protects such works. As the name goes, copyright is the right to copy or reproduce the work in which copyright subsists. Copyright covers an enormous range of work. It includes books, movies, music, photography, technical drawings, computer programmes, and databases among others. The copyright law aims to strike a balance between the creator's interest and the public interest, in being able to access and use their content. This course brings out a thorough conceptual understanding of copyrights and Indian law in general. Topics covered include the nature and kinds of copyrights, idea-expression dichotomy, Author v. owner under copyright law, rights of the copyright owner, performance and broadcasting rights, digital rights management, infringement, fair use and remedial measures for infringement of copyrights. Landmark cases and recent judicial trends make the course more interesting and give you an insight into copyright issues in the new millennium.

Welcome to the module on Copyrights!

1. Introduction to copyrights
I. Relevant provisions
1.1 Nature and scope of copyrights
1.2 Meaning and subject-matter of protection of copyrights
1.3.1 Criteria for protection of copyrights (I)
1.3.2 Criteria for protection of copyrights (II)
1.3.3 Criteria for protection of copyrights (III)
II. Examination pointers
III. Full text of leading cases
IV. Exercise set I
V. Exercise set II

2. Ownership in copyrights
I. Relevant provisions
2.1 Author v. owner
2.2.1 Rights of copyright owner—Economic rights (I)
2.2.2 Rights of copyright owner—Economic rights (II)
2.2.3 Rights of copyright owner—Economic rights (III)
2.3 Rights of copyright owner—Moral rights
II. Examination pointers
III. Full text of leading cases
IV. Exercise set I
V. Exercise set II

3. Registration of copyrights
I. Relevant provisions
3.1 Registration of copyrights
3.2 Term of copyright protection
II. Exercises

4. Performers’ rights and broadcasting rights
I. Relevant provisions
4.1 Performers’ rights
4.2 Broadcasting rights
II. Examination pointers
III. Full text of leading cases
IV. Exercises

5. Assignment and licensing
I. Relevant provisions
5.1 Assignment of copyright
5.2 Mode of assignment
5.3 Licensing of copyrights
5.4 Kinds of copyright licences
5.5 Compulsory licence
5.6 Statutory licence
II. Examination pointers
III. Full text of leading cases
IV. Exercises

6. Infringement of copyrights
I. Relevant provisions
6.1 Infringement of copyright
6.2 Fair use
II. Examination pointers
III. Full text of leading cases
IV. Exercises

7. Digital rights management
I. Relevant provisions
7.1 Digital rights management
II. Exercises

8. Remedial measures for infringement of copyrights
I. Relevant provisions
8.1 Remedial measures for infringement of copyrights—Civil, criminal and administrative
II. Full text of leading cases
III. Exercises

9. Copyright societies
I. Relevant provisions
9.1 Copyright societies
II. Exercises

I. INDEX (FULL TEXT OF CASES)
INDEX: Full text of cases