According to the Webster’s Dictionary, copyright is defined as the exclusive right to reproduce, publish and sell matter and form of a literary, musical or artistic work. Aimed at fostering creativity and ingenuity, it is a property right that grants exclusive rights to do or authorize others to do certain acts in relation to original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, cinematographic films and sound recordings. Literary works also include computer programs, labels and compilations including computer databases. Copyright is a form of IP, which, though intangible, manifests ultimately in the form of a tangible property (music on recording media such as DVDs, CDs, paintings on a medium, cinematographic creations on photographic films, etc.).

Fundamentally, copyright law exists to prevent others from taking unfair advantage of a person’s creative efforts. The object of copyright law is to facilitate, encourage and motivate artists, composers, designers and software programmers, etc., to create original works by rewarding them with excusive rights for a limited period. The owner of the copyright has exclusive rights to make multiple copies of his work. It prevents others form making copies of the copyrighted material. India is signatory to the International Copyright Conventions, and provisions of these conventions give copyright protection to works of Indian nationals in all the member countries that are signatories to these conventions. Likewise, foreign authors from these countries are entitled to copyright protection in India. Indian Copyright Act, 1957, amended in the years 1984, 1994 and 1999, provides for exclusive rights to authors and other owners of original works. Under the Act, the Copyright Enforcement Advisory Council (CEAC) constituted by the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, the Government of India, is concerned with the enforcement and review of the Indian Copyright Act. Special cells for copyright enforcement have so far been set up in 23 states and union territories in India. Registered copyright societies for respective different classes of works are set up for collective administration of copyright.