Copyright and Book Piracy in Pakistan

By Group “A”Sunaina John

Muhammad Muzzammil HaiderFaizan Ali KaziSumaira IqbalMayeda Razi

Japheth Wilson

Copyright is a legal term describing rights given to creators for their literary and artistic works.

Kinds of works covered by copyright include: literary works such as novels, poems, plays, reference works, newspapers and computer programs; databases; films, musical compositions, and choreography; artistic works such as paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture; architecture; and advertisements, maps and technical drawings.

Copyright Defined

According to The Copyright Ordinance, 1962

The exclusive right◦ to reproduce the work in any material form◦ to publish the work◦ to perform the work in public◦ to produce, reproduce, perform or publish any

translation of the work◦ to broadcast the work◦ to make any adaptation of the work

Legal Definition of Copyright

Deliberate infringement of copyright on intellectual property and an absolute disregard for ownership or authorship of literary works

OR Using another person’s opinion, ideas or works as

if they were one’s own and without making any attempt at acknowledging their true source

Book Piracy

Adopted at Geneva in 1952 and revised at Paris in 1971 Main features:◦No more favorable copyright treatment for domestic authors than the authors of other countries

◦A formal copyright notice on all copies of a work◦Minimum term of copyright is the life of the author plus 25 years

◦Right of translation for a seven-year period

Universal Copyright Convention

International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) represents 1,300 U.S. companies

IIPA publishes annual reviews of copyright piracy of US materials by various countries

During 2004, the estimated total trade loss of US book industry amounts to US$603 millions in 67 selected countries

In Pakistan, 30 million loss had been recorded due to book piracy

Views on Book Piracy

Trade Loss of US Book Industry Due to Piracy in Pakistan

Year Loss(in millions of US dollars)

1995 301996 301997 301998 401999 422000 452001 442002 442003 442004 52

Government is ready to take serious steps Pakistan Intellectual Property Rights

Organization (PIPRO) was established in 2004

A draft Bill for PIPRO Act is ready for presentation to the Parliament

PIRPO has powers and functions to protect IPRs in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Response

International and national copyright conventions and laws applicable in Pakistan

Awareness level of publishing industry about copyright laws

Causes of book piracy in Pakistan The major beneficiaries of book piracy Suggest measures to be taken against

book piracy

Objectives of Study

Questionnaire survey of Pakistani publishers, booksellers, importers and exporters of books

There was no comprehensive directory of book trade in Pakistan

On the basis of some short directories and with the help of professional librarians the a list of 893 enterprises was prepared

Cities covered: Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta

Simple random sample of 90 respondents (approximately 10% of the total population)

83 responses were analyzed

Methodology

Causes of Book Piracy• High price of original edition thus low sale• High rate of profit• Non-availability of original editions• Inclusion of foreign books in syllabus• Easy and affordable reproduction technology• Inappropriate law for copyright violation• Legal action is complicated and time consuming• No supervisory mechanism to enforce copyright law• Difficulties in obtaining copyrights from foreign

publisher/author• Difficulties in importing foreign book• Lack of communication between publishers/booksellers and

the Copyright Office

Major Beneficiaries of Book Piracy

Major beneficiaries Percent

Publishers 41

Booksellers 39

Readers 18

Awareness and Opinion about Copyright Laws

Question YesDo you know there is a copyright law in Pakistan? 92%Do you know about international copyright conventions?

35%

Is existing copyright law effective in curbing book piracy in Pakistan?

40%

Are international copyright conventions respected in Pakistan?

30%

Can copyright notice on the book prevent book piracy?

19%

Are you satisfied with the legal provisions in the Copyright Ordinance regarding book piracy?

47%

Suggested Measures AgainstBook Piracy

Measures

• Strict enforcement of copyright law

• Subsidizing original editions of textbooks• More efficient role of National Book Foundation in

reprinting of essential books• Encouragement of local writers for writing good books

• Easy procedures for book import

• Publicity of copyright laws

Pakistan has a strict and clear copyright law but its implementation is not easy

Pakistan government’s failure to protect copyright causes a damage to its dignity in international community

Readers are not well aware of the benefits of copyright

Copyright law must be enforced, but First, provide foreign books to local

readers at low price because

THIS IS THE MAJOR CAUSE OF BOOK PIRACY

Conclusion