Section 24 of CA, 1957 : Section 24: Term Of Copyright In Posthumous Work

Explanation using Example

Suppose a famous playwright, Mr. Sharma, passes away in 2020. He had written a play, 'The Final Act', which was not published or performed during his lifetime. In 2022, a theatre group discovers this play and performs it for the first time. According to Section 24(1) of The Copyright Act, 1957, the copyright for 'The Final Act' will subsist until 2082, which is sixty years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year in which the work was first performed.

Additionally, let's say Mr. Sharma had also written a musical composition, 'Symphony of Shadows', which was not published or sold during his lifetime. However, he had made a sound recording of this composition which was sold to the public after his death in 2021. As per Section 24(2), 'Symphony of Shadows' is deemed to have been published in 2021, and its copyright will subsist until 2081.