Copyright Society
- The Copyright Act, 1957 (Copyright Act) governs the law relating to copyright in India.
- Copyright Society means the society which is registered under Section 33 (3) of the Act
- Chapter - VII (Section 33 to 36A) of this Act, deals with Copyright Societies.
- The minimum membership required for registration of a Society is seven.
- Generally, only one society is registered to do business in respect of the same class of work.
- The business of issuing OR granting license in respect of dramatic, literary, musical, and artistic works incorporated in cinematograph films OR sound recordings shall be carried out only by a registered copyright society.
- Functions of Copyright Societies -
- A Copyright Society may issue licenses and collect fees following its Scheme of Tariffs.
- The distribution of fees collected among the author and other owners
- Every Copyright Society shall maintain -
- “Register of Authors and Other Owners”
- “Register of Agreements”
- “Register of Royalties”
- “Disbursement Register”
- The Annual General Body Meeting of the members of the Copyright Society shall hold before the 31st day of March every year.
- The copyright society shall submit the Annual Return with the Registrar of Copyrights within one month from the date of conclusion of each Annual General Body meeting.
- Example of Registered Copyright Societies in India: - ISRA – Indian Singers Rights Association