Critical Evaluation of Copyright Act, 1957

Copyright Act, 1957 was last amended in 1999. After 1999, technology, telecommunication and media underwent transformation. Now, the entire world is becoming digital. There are certain sectors which are even untouched and most of them are not as per the need of time. Amendments increase the duration of copyright. The changes have been made to author's moral right (and performer's moral rights). Besides of above mentioned aspects there are various issues which need to address in a better ways and some need to have special attention in terms of copyright or under other form of intellectual property rights like software issue, publicity right, threat posed by digital era etc. The important issues here should be pointed out that legislator had left provision regarding parallel imports, whereas amendment bill talked about it. Indian Copyright Act is considered as world's most balanced legislation and Copyright Amendment Act 2012 tried to maintain its claim. Nevertheless, the AmendmentAct will definitely make Indian copyright regime stronger and better to compete with International standard and more adaptable in global market.