Section 14 of CA, 1957 : Section 14: Meaning Of Copyright

Bare Act

14 Meaning of copyright - For the purposes of this Act, copyright means the exclusive right subject to the provisions of this Act, to do or authorise the doing of any of the following acts in respect of a work or any substantial part thereof, namely -

1. in the case of a literary, dramatic or musical work, not being a computer programme, -
   1. to reproduce the work in any material form including the storing of it in any medium by electronic means;
   2. to issue copies of the work to the public not being copies already in circulation;
   3. to perform the work in public, or communicate it to the public;
   4. to make any cinematograph film or sound recording in respect of the work;
   5. to make any translation of the work;
   6. to make any adaptation of the work;
   7. to do, in relation to a translation or an adaptation of the work, any of the acts specified in relation to the work in sub-clauses (i) to (vi);
2. in the case of a computer programme:
   1. to do any of the acts specified in clause (a);
   2. to sell or give on commercial rental or offer for sale or for commercial rental any copy of the computer programme: Provided that such commercial rental does not apply in respect of computer programmes where the programme itself is not the essential object of the rental.
3. in the case of an artistic work, -
   1. to reproduce the work in any material form including -
      1. the storing of it in any medium by electronic or other means; or
      2. depiction in three-dimensions of a two-dimensional work; or
      3. depiction in two-dimensions of a three-dimensional work;
4. in the case of a cinematograph film, -
   1. to make a copy of the film, including -
      1. a photograph of any image forming part thereof; or
      2. storing of it in any medium by electronic or other means;
   2. to sell or give on commercial rental or offer for sale or for such rental, any copy of the film.
   3. to communicate the film to the public;
5. in the case of a sound recording, -
   1. to make any other sound recording embodying it including storing of it in any medium by electronic or other means;
   2. to sell or give on commercial rental or offer for sale or for such rental, any copy of the sound recording;
   3. to communicate the sound recording to the public.

Explanation - For the purposes of this section, a copy which has been sold once shall be deemed to be a copy already in circulation.

Simplified Act

What is Copyright? - Copyright is the legal right that allows the creator of a work (like a book, painting, or song) to control and decide who can do certain things with that work. Below are the types of works and what the creator can control:

• Books, plays, or music (not including computer programs):
  • Copying the work in any way, such as saving it on a computer.
  • Giving out new copies to the public, as long as they haven't been given out before.
  • Performing the work for people, or sharing it with the public in any other way.
  • Making a movie or recording based on the work.
  • Translating the work into another language.
  • Changing the work to create something new (an adaptation).
  • Doing any of the above with a translation or adaptation of the work.
• Computer programs:
  • Doing everything listed for books, plays, or music.
  • Selling or renting out copies of the program. However, renting isn't included if the program isn't the main thing ...

Explanation using Example

Let's say John is an author who has written a novel. According to Section 14 of the Copyright Act, 1957, John holds the exclusive rights to his work. This means:

1. John can reproduce his novel in any material form, including storing it digitally.
2. He can issue new copies of his novel to the public, not being copies already in circulation.
3. He can perform his work in public or communicate it to the public, such as through a public reading or radio broadcast.
4. John can make a film or sound recording based on his novel.
5. He can translate his no...