India’s accession to WCT and WPPT is a game Changer: IPRS

The IPRS whole heartedly welcomes the decision of the Union Cabinet on July 4th 2018, as reported by the PIB, that India would accede to the “Internet Treaties” namely the WIPO Copyright Treaty (“WCT”) and WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT). This is an extremely positive development which will greatly benefit the Indian creative industries. While India had aligned its Copyright law with the WCT & WPPT in 2012, the formal accession by India to these Treaties will greatly help the Indian creative industry by ensuring creators and creative businesses benefit from the digital and online dissemination of their works protected under the Berne Convention and other Treaties. The WCT and WPPT will also formalise India’s existing commitment to enhance the protection of works by mandating technological protection measures as also ensure the reliability of digital/online marketplaces by preventing the tampering or dilution of rights management information. IPRS and its entire membership support and thank the Government of India headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for its decision. Mr. Javed Akhtar, poet, script writer and lyricist and Chairman of IPRS said, “Full credit is due to Shri. Suresh Prabhu the Minister Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (“DIPP”) as well as to the stellar team at DIPP comprising of Shri. Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary, Shri. Rajiv Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Shri. Sushil Satpute, Director and Shri. Hoshiar Singh The Registrar Copyrights for ensuring that India truly mainstreams its copyright sector into the rapidly growing digital markets. This will benefit creators as the Berne Convention will find firm footing in the digital domain. I congratulate and thank the Government of India for this positive decision and for supporting artistes and the creative sector” Mr. Vikram Mehra, MD of Saregama India Ltd and Director of IPRS said, “The Cabinet decision to bring India into the WIPO Internet Treaties’ fold is a very positive development. Securing and protecting the right of distribution and dissemination in the online and digital space is just the push needed to ensure that copyright sector truly benefits from the rapid expansion of digital and online platforms in India. Kudos to the DIPP!” Mr. Raju Singh Composer and Director IPRS said, “India is truly now a part of the world-wide market in relation to creative works. The decision of the Cabinet to become part of the internet Treaties is the one thing we need to signify the arrival of India’s truly significant soft power signified by its creative industries. Congratulations to the Government!” Mr. Rakesh Nigam CEO, IPRS said, “it is heartening to see how serious the Government in its efforts to see that the interests of the creative sector are protected not only in India, but that the sector is able to benefit from a harmonised system across the world. The decision of the Cabinet to accede to the Internet Treaties will ensure that IPRS and the copyright sector in India is able to secure due benefits from around the world in a more efficient manner, particularly in the digital domain” IPRS is the sole Indian copyright society, registered under the Copyright Act, 1957, administering musical works and literary works associated with musical works. The members of IPRS comprise of Authors (lyricists), Music Composers and Music Publishers.