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US
flags fresh concerns over copyrights law
Sidhartha,TNN | Jan 24, 2015, 07.06 AM IST
Sources said the US authorities have flagged three major
concerns over the recently-amended Copyrights Act, which relate to technological
protection and voluntary measures. (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)
NEW DELHI: Just when the tussle over patents for
medicines seems to be coming to an end, the US has flagged concerns over
India's new copyrights law ahead of President Barrack Obama's visit. The US is
seeking restrictions on the number of times you will be able to read or watch
legally downloaded e-books or the latest Hollywood flick.
Sources said the US authorities have flagged three major concerns over the recently-amended Copyrights Act, which relate to technological protection and voluntary measures. If the US move is implemented, it may impact even universities, which legally access e-books but will not be able to print a few pages for circulation among students. The Indian government has rejected the demand.
Similarly, the US wants the law to explicitly provide for restrictions on the number of clicks on a downloaded book or the number of times a song can be played, even if downloaded legally. Further, it wants India to adopt measures to prevent illegal copying of, say, DVDs. For instance, while you will be able watch the movie on the disc after entering a password, you won't be allowed to copy it onto your computer for future views. The move is meant to curb illegal circulation by copying it onto other discs.
Further, the US wants the government to ban manufacture and sale of de-encryption software devices to prevent what it believes is "illegal copying". The American authorities also want restrictions on internet service providers enhanced.
The US wants the law to explicitly provide for restrictions on the number of clicks on a downloaded book or the number of times a song can be played, even if downloaded legally.
The issue, sources confirmed, has been discussed but is unacceptable to the Indian government. They pointed out that the Indian law is in line with India's international commitments.
The concerns come after the American pharma lobby got the US government to raise the issue of patent flexibilities, which allows Indian authorities to reject applications which they believe are not "genuine innovation". The biggest concern was over the patent waiver or compulsory licence that the Patents Office granted to a cancer medicine, which allowed an Indian company to manufacture the same drug on payment of royalty.
Sources said the US authorities have flagged three major concerns over the recently-amended Copyrights Act, which relate to technological protection and voluntary measures. If the US move is implemented, it may impact even universities, which legally access e-books but will not be able to print a few pages for circulation among students. The Indian government has rejected the demand.
Similarly, the US wants the law to explicitly provide for restrictions on the number of clicks on a downloaded book or the number of times a song can be played, even if downloaded legally. Further, it wants India to adopt measures to prevent illegal copying of, say, DVDs. For instance, while you will be able watch the movie on the disc after entering a password, you won't be allowed to copy it onto your computer for future views. The move is meant to curb illegal circulation by copying it onto other discs.
Further, the US wants the government to ban manufacture and sale of de-encryption software devices to prevent what it believes is "illegal copying". The American authorities also want restrictions on internet service providers enhanced.
The US wants the law to explicitly provide for restrictions on the number of clicks on a downloaded book or the number of times a song can be played, even if downloaded legally.
The issue, sources confirmed, has been discussed but is unacceptable to the Indian government. They pointed out that the Indian law is in line with India's international commitments.
The concerns come after the American pharma lobby got the US government to raise the issue of patent flexibilities, which allows Indian authorities to reject applications which they believe are not "genuine innovation". The biggest concern was over the patent waiver or compulsory licence that the Patents Office granted to a cancer medicine, which allowed an Indian company to manufacture the same drug on payment of royalty.
