In the works, a copyright society to help movie writers get royalties
The application for the copyright society is currently with the Registrar of Copyrights, who has announced on their website that if there are any comments or objections from stakeholders, they can raise them until December 27. Updated: December 14, 2020 1:38:31 am
The creation of the copyright society has led to some resistance by the big studios, producers and OTT platforms, many of which are multinational companies.
IT IS about time that the rights of the writers are recognised, says veteran Hindi film writer Anjum Rajabali, as he takes the necessary steps to form the first-ever copyright society in India – the Screenwriters Rights Association of India (SRAI).
Writers want due royalty for their work; copyright society being formed to enforce the law
Writers want due royalty for their work; copyright society being formed to enforce the law
ByAnkita ChaurasiaAnkita Chaurasia / Updated: Dec 12, 2020, 09:41 IST
Anjum Rajabali
A copyright society is being formed to enforce the law that requires producers and writers to share royalties equally.
Given that royalty, by definition, is a legallybinding payment made to an individual for the ongoing use of work created by her or him, it is usually assumed that creators get it by default, along with credits in a film or a show. However, in India, despite a law stating that royalties should be shared equally by owners (producers) and authors (writers), and an amendment in 2012 that makes the right to receive royalty unwaivable, writers are yet to begin receiving it.