Authors of musical, literary works can now get royalty: Ambika Soni

Authors of musical, cinematographic and literary works may now be entitled to royalty in case their works are used for commercial purposes, a benefit denied to them so far.

This can be possible because of certain amendments in the Copyright Act of 1957 which was approved by the Union cabinet today for introduction in Parliament.

The amendment is proposed to give "independent rights to authors of literary and musical works in cinematograph films, which were hitherto denied, and wrongfully exploited by producers and music companies," information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the meeting.

It will ensure that authors retain the right to receive royalties and benefits enjoyed through the copyright societies, she said.

Another amendment ensures that the authors of the works, particularly songs included in the cinematograph films or sound recordings, receive royalty for commercial exploitation of such work, Soni said.

"It has been proposed to introduce a system of statutory licensing to ensure that the public has access to musical works over the FM radio and TV networks and at the same time, the owners of copyright works are also not subject to any disadvantages," she said.

The News Broadcasters Association had been apprehensive about the amendments and asked the government to ensure that nothing was done to hurt the "well-established and understood rights of broadcasters to fair use of material, including broadcast reproduction rights."