COPYRIGHT LAWS IN INDIA

Indian copyright laws are intended to protect all original literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematographic and computer software works as well as stimulate creativity, economic development and public knowledge dissemination. This paper gives an account of Indian copyright laws from their historical background through different stages up to today's Copyright Act of 2012. This Act harmonized the Indian copyright laws with the WIPO Copyright Treaty and Performances and Phonograms Treaty thus making them compatible with international standards. Some topics that will be discussed in relation to the evolution of Indian Copyright laws are economic and moral rights of the right holder, the difference between idea and expression, exceptions under Section 52 as fair dealings, period of protection, ownership of work and remedies for infringements among many others. Some of the contemporary problems to be discussed include internet piracy, intermediary liability, problems in the enforcement of the laws and problems with AI. This paper argues that although Indian copyright regime is relatively modern, some amendments are necessary to address issues relating to the digital world and AI.