BOOK PROMOTION AND COPYRIGHT
10.1.0 Books have always been a powerful vehicle of cultural and scientific expansion, as also the most effective means of education. They are an expression of the human mind of creativity, wisdom and knowledge of people and nations. It is a remarkable invention for society and a valuable gift to posterity. Its role as an effective medium of education and communication remains unraveled despite the rapid advances made by the electronic media. The Book Promotion Activities at promoting the production of books and inculcating the habit of reading. It is therefore ensured that good quality Indian books are made available to the general public. Indigenous authorship is encouraged by providing assistance to the Indian book industry.
I. National Book Trust 10.2.1 The National Book Trust, India (NBT), an autonomous organisation under this Department, was set up in 1957 with the objectives of encouraging production of good reading material at moderate price and fostering book mindedness among the people. Over 7200 titles in different languages have been published by the NBT, so far. The Trust provides financial assistance to authors, illustrators for bringing out reasonably priced textbooks and reference books for students of all levels and also for publication of books for children and neoliterates. It also promotes the book reading habit all over the country by (a) providing financial assistance for organising book fairs, festivals and exhibitions; (b) organising symposia and work-shops; (c) sponsoring celebration of National Book Week; and (d) setting up of Readers Club in Schools. For organising book promotion activities abroad, the trust participates in International Book Fairs.
(a) Publishing 10.2.2 The National Book Trust provides general reading material for all segments of society and for all age-groups Moderately priced books of fiction and non-fiction on a variety of topics in English, Hindi, and 11 other major Indian languages such as Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu are brought out under the Trust's well-defined series. In addition, on an experimental basis, select titles for children have been translated into some regional languages like Ao, Bhil, Gao, Gondi, Khasi, Mising and Mizo.
10.2.3 During 1994-95, 584 titles were brought out which included 377 originals, revised editions and translations and 207 reprints. The total number of titles published this year is also likely to touch 650.
(b) Assistance to Authors and Publishers 10.2.4 To promote publication of reasonably priced books for Higher Education, NBT gives financial assistance to authors and publishers for bringing out textbooks and reference material. Under the scheme for the subsidised publication of books, only such books are subsidised for which a definite need is felt and which relate to subject areas where books of an acceptable standard are either not available or are expensive as to be beyond the means of the students.
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(c) World Book Fair 10.2.5 The New Delhi World Book Fair organised by the Trust every alternate year since 1972 is the largest book fair in Asia. The Trust organised the 12th New Delhi World Book Fair from February 3 to 11, 1996. It was a grand success which focussed on the publications from South Asian countries.
(d) Book Promotion 10.2.6 Book Promotional activities of the NBT include organisation of book fairs, book festivals, workshops, seminars and symposia on related topics, celebration of National Book Week etc. During 1995- 96, NBT organised a book festival at Mangalore, 44 exhibitions of children's books in Delhi, and 58 village-level exhibitions in Bihar, UP and Himachal Pradesh, etc. To ensure availability of quality books on regular basis NBT has taken up a pilot project to set up 12 book stalls in Hindi- speaking States. In addition NBT holds refresher courses for publishing personnel. During 1995-96 NBT has organised 2 short-term courses.
10.2.7 For organising book promotional activities abroad the Trust participates in International Book Fairs. In 1995-96 NBT participated in the Zimbabwe Book Fair and Moscow International Book Fair. Apart from this NBT put up a show of recent books from India, and participated in seminars at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
II. Book Promotional Activities and Financial Assistance to
Voluntary Organisations 10.3.0 Under the scheme of Book Promotional Activities and Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organisations, grants are given on ad-hoc basis to Voluntary organisations for organising training courses, seminars, workshops, conventions etc. During for this scheme was utilised. Details of grants released to voluntary agencies during 1994-95 is annexed. During this year a grant of Rs. 1.52 lakh is proposed to be released to Federation of Indian Publishers.
III. National Book Development Council (NBDC) 10.4.0 The term of NBDC has expired and it is being reconstituted. National Book Promotion Council to be an advisory body to facilitate exchange of views on all major aspects of Book Promotion.
IV. Export and Import Policy for Books 10.5.0 Under the current import policy (1992-97) which came into force on 31.3.95, all kinds of books including magazines & Journals etc. are freely importable without any restrictions by any individual/organisation including children literature.
V. International Standard Book Numbering (ISBN) System 10.6.0 The International Standard Book Numbering (ISBN) System aims at boosting the export of indigenous publications at the international business arena and to minimise to the maximum, day-to-day book trade practices in business. It is an international system by which a distinct identifying number is assigned to each book. In addition to the book
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trade, the system is very helpful to the libraries and information systems and to research scholars. 2852 big and small publishers and authors have become the members of the System.
VI. Copyright Office 10.7.1 The Copyright Office was established in January, 1958 in pursuance of Section 9 of the Copyright Act, 1957. The Office under provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957, undertakes to register different classes of works. From 1st January, 1995 to 16th January, 1996, 1310 works have been registered. The category-wise break-up of the registered works is as under:-
(a) Literary, Dramatic & Musical - 805
(b) Artistic Works - 422
(c) Records - 69
(d) Cinematography Films - 14
10.7.2 In addition to this, the Copyright Office also registers the changes in the Register of Copyright in accordance with the Section 49 of the Copyright Act, 1957 and Rule 17 of the Copyright Rules, 1958. During the period changes have been affected in the particulars of 64 works entered in the Register of Copyright, Moreover, Copyright Office also issues certified copies of extract from the Register of Copyright as also of the public documents in the custody of the Register of Copyright/ Copyright Board is also opened to the interested persons.
VII. Copyright Board 10.8.1 The Copyright Board, a quasi- judicial body, was constituted initially in September, 1958. The Jurisdiction of the Copyright Board extends to the whole of India. It hears cases regarding ratification of copyright registration, disputes in respect of assignment of copyright and granting of licenses:
- in works withheld from public
- in unpublished Indian works
- to produce and publish translation
- to produce and publish works for certain purposes.
10.8.2 It also hears cases in other miscellaneous matters instituted before it under the Copyright Act, 1957. The meetings of the Board are held in different zones of the country to provide facility of justice to authors/creators and owners of intellectual property near their place of residence or occupation.
10.8.3 The Copyright Board has been last reconstituted vide Notification dated 4.1.96 for a period of five years.
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VIII. Amendment of Copyright Act 10.9.0 The Copyright (Amendment) Act, 1994 which received the President's assent on 9th June, 1994 came into force w.e.f. 10th May. 1995. The Copyright Rules, 1958 were amended accordingly and the Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 1995 were also brought into force w.e.f. 10th May, 1995.
IX. Enforcement of Copyright 10.10.0 The term of the copyright Enforcement Advisory Council, which earlier expired on 5th November,1994 was extended w.e.f. 6th November, 1994 for another three years and the sixth meeting was held on 20th October, 1995 in New Delhi. The Council was set up to strengthen and streamline the enforcement of copyright in the country and to educate the public and enforcement authorities. Valuable suggestions were made in the Sixth meeting for effective enforcement of copyright.
X. Training Facilities in Copyright 10.11.0 The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Geneva under its Cooperation Development Programme organised training courses in copyright for officials dealing with copyright in developing countries. Mrs. P.V. Valsala G. Kutty, Deputy Secretary, Department of Education participated in the training courses on copyright and neighbouring rights at Stockholm, Sweden from August 14-25, 1995. Shri R.S. Punia, Section Officer attended an Introductory Seminar on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights held at WIPO Headquarters from October, 16-18, 1995 followed by training courses on Collective Management at the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisation, Helsinki from October, 19 to 27, 1995.
XI. International Copyright 10.12.1 India is a member of two major International Conventions on copyright, namely-the Bern Convention for the Protection of Literary & Artistic Works and the Universal Copyright Convension. Both these conventions were revised in 1971 at Paris to incorporate special provisions to enable the developing countries to issue compulsory licenses for specific purposes in case these rights could not be obtained by freely negotiated terms from the owners of copyright. India has acceded to 1971 Texts of these Conventions.
10.12.2 India plays an important role in the deliberations of the Governing Bodies of the WIPO, Geneva which is the International Secretariat for Berne convention for the protection of Literary and Artistic Works. This year Shri P.R. Dasgupta, Secretary and Smt. P.V. Vasala G.Kutty, Deputy Secretary, Department of Education attended the 26th series of the meetings of the Governing Bodies of WIPO, Geneva from 25th September to 3rd October, 1995.
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