Artistes to benefit from stronger law

New Delhi:  Parliament on Tuesday enacted a law that strengthens the royalty claims of artistes, song and scriptwriters, musicians and those in similar fields and addressing newer issues related to the digital world and internet.

The Copyright Act (Amendment) Bill, 2012, was passed by the Lok Sabha with members from both the treasury and opposition benches supporting it in one voice. They said those from the creative sectors were denied their due for long and that the money earned from their creative works was garnered by the producers and those commissioning them. The legislation was approved by the Rajya Sabha on May 17.

The law declares authors as the owners of the copyright for their creative work and that this right cannot be assigned to producers, as has been the practice until now.

It also makes it mandatory for broadcasters from both the radio and television industries to pay royalties to the owners of copyright each time a work of art is broadcast.

The law also bans cover versions of literary, dramatic or musical work for five years from the first recording of the original creation.

Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal, who had moved the bill in Lok Sabha, sought strong support from members for the legislation that will do away the injustice meted out to the creative people. Sibal noted that artistes, who came from poor background, were left to fend for themselves, as producers cornered all royalties that came from the work, be it stories or scripts or songs.

He said the legislation would help artists to earn a decent living even to old age, continuing to receive their dues for the work done during their prime.

Conditions pitiable

Giving examples of shehnai exponent Bismillah Khan and music composer Ravi, the minister pointed out that the condition of such excellent artistes was pitiable and they were unable to even bear their housing and medical costs.

He said various recommendations of the parliamentary standing committee had been incorporated in the bill.

Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj supported the bill and said it was long overdue. "It is a step in the right direction in protecting the interest of the lyricists, who create wonderful songs," she said.

Swaraj said film producers had lobbied with her to oppose the bill but she decided to support it when well-known director and music composer Vishal Bhardwaj said the amendments were for the good of the lyricists.

Lyricist Javed Akhtar said companies had rights over songs and writers and singers did not get much from the commercial success.