Public domain in India

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Public domain refers to creative works that are no longer protected by copyright and can be freely used by anyone. In India, the legal framework governing public domain is primarily established by the Copyright Act of 1957, which has undergone several amendments to adapt to changing societal and technological landscapes. This article provides a detailed examination of public domain in India, including key laws, significant court judgments, and their implications.

## Historical context of copyright law in India

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The foundation of copyright law in India dates back to the Indian Copyright Act of 1914, which was modeled after British law. The British Copyright Act of 1911 was extended to India through the Indian Copyright Act of 1914. This colonial legislation remained in force until India's independence, marking a significant period where Indian copyright law was directly influenced by British legal traditions.[1] The 1914 Act was replaced by the Copyright Act of 1957, which came into effect on January 21, 1958. The 1957 Act has been amended multiple times, with significant changes made in 1983, 1992, 1994, 1999, and most recently in 2012.

## Key provisions of the Copyright Act

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The Copyright Act of 1957 protects various types of works:

* Literary Works: Includes books, articles, and software
* Dramatic Works: Encompasses plays and scripts
* Musical Works: Covers compositions and songs
* Artistic Works: Includes paintings, sculptures, and photographs
* Cinematograph Films: Protects movies and audiovisual content
* Sound Recordings: Covers audio recordings

### Traditional knowledge and folklore

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The Copyright Act also addresses issues related to traditional knowledge and folklore, though these works often present unique challenges in terms of public domain status. The Protection of Traditional Knowledge Bill has been proposed to provide additional safeguards for cultural expressions that may otherwise be considered public domain.[2]

### Duration of copyright protection

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The duration of copyright varies based on the type of work:[3]

* Literary, Dramatic, Musical, and Artistic Works: Life of the author plus 60 years
* Cinematograph Films and Sound Recordings: 60 years from publication
* Anonymous and Pseudonymous Works: 60 years from publication
* Government Works: Generally 60 years from publication
* Works of International Organizations: 60 years from first publication
* Photographs: Life of photographer plus 60 years

Once these periods expire, works enter the public domain.

## Notable public domain works in India

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Several significant works have entered the public domain in India:

* Ancient Texts: Classical Sanskrit works like the Vedas and Upanishads
* Literary Works: Works by Rabindranath Tagore (pre-1961 publications), including "Gitanjali"
* Musical Compositions: Traditional folk songs and classical compositions created before 1963
* Artistic Works: Paintings and sculptures from the colonial period that have exceeded copyright duration

## Amendments to copyright law

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Several amendments have influenced public domain status:

1. 1983 Amendment: Introduced fair dealing provisions
2. 1992 Amendment: Expanded rights for authors
3. 1994 Amendment: Addressed copyright issues related to computer programs
4. 1999 Amendment: Enhanced protection for performers and producers
5. 2012 Amendment: Focused on digital rights and piracy prevention

These amendments have reinforced copyright protections while facilitating access to works once they enter the public domain.

## Digital public domain

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The emergence of digital technologies has created new challenges and opportunities for public domain works in India:

* Digital Libraries: The National Digital Library of India (NDLI) provides access to public domain materials.[4]
* Open Access Initiatives: Government initiatives like the Digital India program have promoted greater access to public domain materials through digital platforms
* Creative Commons: While not strictly public domain, Creative Commons licenses have become increasingly popular in India for voluntary sharing of works

## International agreements

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India is a signatory to several international copyright conventions that influence its public domain framework:

* Berne Convention (joined 1928): Sets minimum copyright protection standards
* TRIPS Agreement (1995): Establishes intellectual property standards for WTO members
* WIPO Copyright Treaty (2018): Addresses copyright in the digital environment
* Geneva Phonograms Convention: Protects producers of phonograms against unauthorized duplication

These agreements have shaped India's approach to copyright duration and public domain status.[5]

## Key judgments impacting public domain

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Several landmark cases have shaped the interpretation of copyright law concerning public domain:

* Supreme Court Ruling on Judgments (2016): The Supreme Court ruled that no one can claim copyright over its judgments, allowing anyone to reproduce them without infringement claims. This decision opened up access to legal materials that were previously monopolized by certain publishers.[6]

* Chancellor Masters & Scholars Of The University of Oxford vs. Narendra Publishing House (2008): The Delhi High Court ruled that mathematical equations are not subject to copyright as they are expressions of natural laws.[7]

* Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak (2008): This case emphasized that for a work to be protected by copyright, it must be original in its selection or arrangement rather than a verbatim reproduction.[8]

## Fair dealing provisions

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India employs a "fair dealing" doctrine rather than a broad "fair use" doctrine. Under Section 52 of the Copyright Act, specific exemptions allow for:

* Private or personal use (e.g., research or education)
* Criticism or review
* Reporting current events

These provisions encourage educational engagement with copyrighted materials while protecting creators' rights.

## Challenges and future developments

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Several challenges exist in the management and protection of public domain works:

* Digital Preservation: Ensuring long-term access to public domain works in digital formats
* Orphan Works: Managing works whose copyright status is unclear due to unknown authorship or publication dates
* Traditional Knowledge: Balancing protection of cultural heritage with public domain access
* Cross-Border Issues: Addressing differences in copyright duration between jurisdictions

The 2012 Amendment introduced provisions for statutory licensing and compulsory licensing, which may affect how works transition into the public domain.[9]

## Understanding public domain

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Public domain is understood as a state where copyright no longer subsists in a work. Key points include:

* A work enters the public domain after its copyright term expires
* Not all publicly available content is in the public domain; it must be free from copyright protection
* Translations or adaptations may still be subject to copyright if they involve substantial originality

## See also

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* Copyright law of India
* Public domain
* Creative Commons license

## References

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1. ^ The Copyright Act, 1957
2. ^ Copyright Office, Government of India
3. ^ Copyright Office: Government of India. "THE COPYRIGHT ACT, 1957 (14 OF 1957)" (PDF): 14. Retrieved 10 April 2025. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
4. ^ National Digital Library of India
5. ^ India Joins Three Key WIPO International Classification Treaties
6. ^ Times of India
7. ^ Indian Express
8. ^ Corpbiz
9. ^ Copyright Office - Amendments

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to PD India.

* Copyright Office, Government of India
* World Intellectual Property Organization
* Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade - IPR Division

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Years in Public domain in India

2000s|

* 2000
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* 2009

2010s|

* 2010
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* 2015
* 2016
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* 2018
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* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026
* 2027
* 2028
* 2029

* Public domain in India
* Public Domain Day
* Creative Commons

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