AP High Court: No copyright for Maths, science textbooks UPSC

Description

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: https://odishatv.in/news/education/ncert-warns-publishers-over-copyright-infringement-of-its-school-books-232149

Context: The Andhra Pradesh High Court rules that copyright cannot be claimed on textbooks dealing with maths and science subjects because their content is not considered literary in nature.

Details

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that copyright cannot be claimed on textbooks dealing with mathematical equations and science subjects because they are not considered literary works under copyright law.
The court also ruled that the textbooks themselves were not copyrightable because they are not creative works. Copyright protects original works of authorship, such as literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. The court reasoned that mathematical equations and scientific facts are not creative but rather discoveries of natural laws.

Court's Decision and Rationale

Nature of Textbooks: The court determined that textbooks dealing with mathematical equations and science subjects are considered non-literary in nature. This distinction is crucial because copyright protection typically applies to literary, artistic, dramatic, or musical works.
Fair Use Doctrine: The court ruled that even if textbooks published by the petitioner were assumed to be pirated copies, this would not constitute copyright infringement. This decision was based on the fair use doctrine outlined in Section 52 of the Copyright Act.
Exception under Copyright Act: The court specifically referenced Sections 52(1)(a) and 52(1)(h) of the Copyright Act. Section 52(1)(a) exempts "fair dealing" with any work for private or personal use, research, criticism, review, or reporting of current events. Section 52(1)(h) allows the publication of short passages from published literary or dramatic works for genuine instructional use.
Originality Requirement: The court emphasised that to qualify for copyright protection, a work must be original, such as an original literary, artistic, dramatic, or musical work. The textbooks in question were deemed non-literary and therefore outside the scope of Section 13 of the Copyright Act, which specifies eligible works for copyright protection.

It is important to note that this is just one court decision and copyright law can vary by jurisdiction. There have been other cases where courts have found copyrights in certain aspects of textbooks, such as the selection and arrangement of content.

Implications for Educational Publishers

Educational Use Exemption: The ruling highlights the exemption under copyright law for educational uses, particularly when dealing with textbooks and instructional materials. This exemption allows for fair use in the creation and dissemination of educational content.
Protection of Educational Publishers: Educational publishers producing materials based on prescribed syllabi are afforded legal protection under the fair use provisions of the Copyright Act. This protects their legitimate business activities and encourages innovation in educational content creation.

Comparison with Other Legal Precedents

Mathematical Expressions: The court's decision aligns with previous rulings that mathematical questions and scientific laws are expressions of nature and cannot be monopolised by those describing them. This principle highlights the limited scope of copyright protection for factual information and mathematical concepts.
Originality Standard: The ruling reinforces the requirement of originality for copyright protection, emphasising that works must exhibit creativity and not merely be reproductions or descriptions of pre-existing data.

Copyright Act in India
Historical Context	●Enactment and Amendments: The Copyright Act 1957 became effective on January 21, 1958. It has undergone six amendments, with the most recent in 2012 (Copyright Amendment Act 2012), reflecting changes in intellectual property rights over time. ●Colonial Origins: The earlier copyright legislation in India was the Indian Copyright Act of 1914, influenced by the Imperial Copyright Act of 1911 in the United Kingdom. The 1914 Act remains applicable for works created before January 21, 1958.
Definition and Scope of Copyright	●Bundle of Rights: Copyright grants creators of literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, as well as producers of cinematograph films and sound recordings, a bundle of rights. These include reproduction, public communication, adaptation, and translation rights. ●Purpose of Copyright: Copyright is designed to stimulate artistic and creative activity while enriching public knowledge. It is intended to encourage creativity by ensuring creators benefit from their works.
Types of Works Protected	●Copyright protection extends to literary, dramatic, musical, artistic works, cinematograph films, and sound recordings, covering a broad spectrum of creative content.
Duration of Copyright Protection	●Lifetime of Author: For literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, copyright protection lasts for the lifetime of the author plus sixty years from the year following the author's death. ●Other Works: Different categories of works, such as anonymous or pseudonymous works, cinematograph films, sound recordings, and government works, have varying durations of copyright protection specified by the Act.
Ownership and Assignment of Copyright	●First Owner: Generally, the author is considered the first owner of copyright. However, in cases of works created during employment ("contract of service"), the employer holds copyright unless agreed otherwise. ●Joint Authorship: The Act recognizes joint authorship for collaborative works where contributions are indistinct. ●Assignment: Copyright can be assigned through written agreements specifying the work, duration, and territory of the assignment. In cases where duration is unspecified, the copyright reverts to the author after five years.
Exceptions to Copyright Infringement	●Fair Dealing: India follows a fair dealing approach, not "fair use" as in the US. Fair dealing encompasses specific purposes like private or personal use, research, education, criticism, review, and reporting of current events. ●Statutory Exceptions: The Act outlines specific activities exempted from copyright infringement, distinct from broad fair use concepts.
Remedies for Copyright Infringement	●Administrative Remedies: Customs authorities can detain infringing goods. ●Civil Remedies: Copyright owners can seek injunctions, damages, and accounts of profits through civil litigation. ●Criminal Remedies: Criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines, are available for copyright infringement.
Jurisdiction and Legal Interpretation	●Place of Suing: The Act clarifies jurisdiction for copyright infringement cases based on the location of the plaintiff's residence or business where the cause of action arises. ●Legal Interpretation: Courts interpret copyright law to balance the rights of creators with the public interest, aiming to encourage creativity and knowledge dissemination.

Conclusion

The Andhra Pradesh High Court's decision sets an important practice regarding the copyright status of educational textbooks, particularly those focused on mathematics and science subjects. By highlighting the exemption for fair use in educational contexts and emphasising the non-literary nature of certain educational materials, the court provides clarity on copyright law as it applies to instructional content. This ruling highlights the balance between protecting intellectual property rights and fostering innovation and access in educational publishing.

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Source:

Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements in the context of the Copyright Act in India:

1. The Copyright Act in India grants exclusive rights to creators of literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works.

2. The term of copyright protection in India is typically the lifetime of the author plus 60 years.

3. Copyright protection for computer software in India extends to the expression of the idea in the software but not to the underlying algorithms or principles.

4. The Copyright Act allows fair dealing with copyrighted works for the purpose of research, private study, criticism, review, or news reporting.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) Only three

D) All four

Answer: D