Frame-work of Copyright Law in India - Proposed Changes in the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2010 and Impact on the Media & Entertainment Industry

Ghanashyam Hegde, Vice President - Legal, Times Innovative Media Limited (Times Group)

The Indian Media and Entertainment Industry (M&E Industry) is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 14 percent per annum over next five years to reach USD 28 billion by 2015. The content, which predominantly comprises of the films and their original sound tracks (OST) produced by Bollywood, is at premium. Emergence and democratization of the digital medium combined with the new vistas of media and entertainment consumption enabled by convergence have ensured that the content owners are rewarded handsomely. It has also resulted in an increased awareness of the legal rights (or the lack of it) of the creators and owners of the content resulting in several law suits being fought routinely in different forums.