New Copyright rules notified

Government has notified the new Copyright Rules 2013 to provide statutory licence for cover versions and broadcasting of literary and musical works and sound recording among others.
The rules, which were notified on March 14, say the fee for registration of copyright for various works has been increased from Rs 50 per work to Rs 500 per work and the maximum fee has been increased from Rs 600 per work to Rs 5,000.
The fee for licences has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000 per work and the maximum fee has been hiked from Rs 400 to Rs 40,000, said a government statement today.

The notification of the new rules had become necessary in the wake of the amendments to existing provisions of the Copyright Act which came into force on June, 21, 2012.
The draft rules were posted on the website seeking comments from all stakeholders and experts. The Ministry also held a meeting with various stakeholders and copyright experts on October 8, 2012 to seek their suggestions on the draft rules.
The amendments in the Copyright Act were hailed by the music world as the passage of the amendments in the budget session of Parliament in 2012 ensured that song writers, artistes and performers, deprived of their dues so far, can claim royalty for their creations.

"Thank God, the shackles from the artistes feet have been removed... There is an inherent sigh of relief," Rajya Sabha MP and famed lyricist Javed Akhtar had said.
The Copyright Act (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was passed amid rare show of unanimity in both houses of Parliament with members from all parties supporting the measure for creative artistes whose benefits are "cornered" by producers.