Amitabh Bachchan Slams the 60-year Copyright Rule: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, son of late noted poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, has questioned the stipulation in the copyright law which allows exclusive rights to heirs of original literary work for 60 years after the death of the author.
In the case of original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works the 60-year period is counted from the year following the death of the author, according to the Copyright Act, 1957. But Amitabh Bachchan says this is “rubbish.”
“Written copyright and whatever else in the realm, live 60 years after the passing with the elements of them that be rightful? Really? So who designed 60 years? Why 60, why not 61, or why not perpetuity,” Big B wrote in a somewhat rambling blog.
“Inheritors that come as natural heirs are natural right holders of creative copyright… Right… but after 60 years, its natural inheritors, after the passing, the heirs become the public at large… ehh… Who did this intellectual legality.. in what context? I believe it initiated in 1957 or so… and (I) am angered by its audacity.”
