Letters: Copy under licence

Book publishers want universities and students to photocopy material from books only under IRRO, established under the Indian law

This refers to “Absent libraries, photocopied minds” (Speaking Volumes, September 25). While we, Oxford University Press and T & F (Routledge), have taken action in the Delhi High Court, we have also said there is an easy and very reasonable solution for students. There is now a copyright collection society called the Indian Reprographic Rights Organisation (IRRO), established under Indian law. Tariffs have been set that are among the lowest in the world for photocopying. For course packs, the tariff is Rs 0.50 paise a page.

Our objection is to course packs prescribed by university departments that take various chapters from our books. Lecturers are even told to tell students that photocopied sets of these packs are available at the photocopy shop and that when they identify themselves, the photocopier merchant will give them a set free. This directly eats into book sales. So, we want such photocopying to be done under licence from the IRRO. A 200-page pack would cost another Rs 100. Surely, it isn’t much to ask considering that the same students were spending much more on books while in school.

The licence fee is, in due course, shared between the author and publisher and it gives them a return for writing and publishing books.

If students do not want to pay this amount, they should ask the government or their university to pay the licence fees. Publishers cannot afford to subsidise students.

Incidentally, lecturers have been told that they can only teach from these course packs and no tests or questions will be set outside of what is in these packs. And these are Honours students! It seems our universities also wish to promote learning by rote just as the Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE, does in school. I am sure good students will still shine but it will be despite the system.

Manas Saikia
Managing Director
Cambridge University Press India

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