Reply: The applicant of the foreign work has to provide a copy of assignment and the place of first publication by affidavit for registration.
What are the main copyright collecting societies in India? Do they operate in an open and transparent manner? What safeguards are in place to protect the interests of their members?
Reply: The following are the registered copyright societies in India:
For cinematograph and television films: Society for Copyright Regulation of Indian Producers for Film and Television (SCRIPT) 135 Continental Building, Dr A.B. Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 018.
For musical works: The Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS), 208, Golden Chambers, 2nd Floor, New Andheri Link Road, Andheri (W), Mumbai 400 058 (website: http://www.ipRsorg/).
For sound recording: Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) Crescent Tower, 7th Floor, Off New Link Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400 053 (website: http://www.pplindia.org/).
For reprographic (photo copying) works: Indian Reprographic Rights Organization (IRRO), 18/1 C, Institutional Area, Near JNU Campus, New Delhi 110067 (website: http://www.irro.in/).
Section 33(4) of the Copyright Act, 1957 provides that the Central Government may, if it is satisfied that a copyright society is being managed in a manner detrimental to the interests of the owners of rights concerned, cancel the registration of such society after such inquiry as may be prescribed.
Section 33(5) of the Act further, provides that if the Central Government is of the opinion that in the interest of the owners of rights concerned, it is necessary so to do, it may, by order, suspend the registration of such society pending inquiry for such period not exceeding one year as may be specified in such order under sub section (4) and that Government shall appoint an administrator to discharge the functions of the copyright society. The above details are also available at www.copyright.gov.in.
