World Book Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading and the important role that books play in our lives. Whether you’re a lifelong bookworm or just discovering the pleasures of reading, I hope you have a great World Book Day!
World Book Day Celebration
World Book Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide on April 23rd. The day is dedicated to promoting reading, publishing, and copyright. It was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1995 to encourage reading and publishing globally and to celebrate the joy of books and reading.
World Book Day is celebrated in many different ways across the world. Some countries distribute free books to children on this day, while others organize book fairs and literary events. Many schools and libraries also participate by organizing reading activities, author visits, and book clubs.
In some countries, World Book Day is celebrated on a different date. For example, in the United Kingdom and Ireland, World Book Day is celebrated on the first Thursday in March. The date varies because it was first celebrated in the UK in 1995, a year before UNESCO established it as an international event.
Overall, World Book Day serves as a reminder of the importance of reading and literacy in our lives and helps to promote these values to future generations.
Indian Publishing Industry Growth
The publishing industry in India is one of the oldest and largest in the world. India is home to a diverse range of languages, cultures, and traditions, and this diversity is reflected in the country’s publishing industry.
The publishing industry in India is primarily dominated by English-language publications, followed by Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Tamil publications. There are a large number of traditional publishing houses in India, including Penguin Random House India, HarperCollins India, Hachette India, and Bloomsbury India, among others.
In addition to traditional publishing, self-publishing has become increasingly popular in India in recent years, with platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing and Kobo Writing Life providing opportunities for authors to publish their work independently.
The Indian government also plays a role in the publishing industry through institutions like the National Book Trust and the Sahitya Akademi, which promote Indian literature and culture both domestically and internationally.
Overall, the Indian publishing industry is growing and evolving, with new technologies and platforms providing opportunities for authors and publishers alike to reach a wider audience.
Indian copyright law overview
In India, the copyright system is governed by the Copyright Act of 1957, which has been amended several times, the latest being the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012. The Act protects original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. The copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display their work, and to create derivative works based on it.
Some of the key features of the copyright system in India are:
Registration: Copyright registration is not mandatory in India, but it is recommended as it serves as prima facie evidence of ownership in case of any disputes. Registration can be done online through the Copyright Office website.
Duration: The term of copyright protection in India is generally the lifetime of the author plus 60 years after their death. In the case of anonymous or pseudonymous works, the term is 60 years from the date of publication. For works of joint authorship, the term is 60 years from the death of the last surviving author.
Fair use: The Indian Copyright Act allows for fair use of copyrighted works for certain purposes such as criticism, review, news reporting, teaching, research, and parody. However, the use must be for a non-commercial purpose and must not affect the market for the original work.
Infringement: Infringement of copyright can result in civil and criminal penalties, including injunctions, damages, and imprisonment. The Copyright Act provides for both civil and criminal remedies.
Overall, the copyright system in India provides strong protection for original works of authorship, but it is important for copyright owners to take steps to register their works and enforce their rights in case of infringement.
UNESCO’s theme for 2023 – Indigenous Languages!
Last year saw the start of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-32) and it’s a UN priority to uphold and promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism. Indigenous and local languages feature as part of the World Book Capital Network Charter, and the Charter recognizes a less rigid concept of ‘the book’, i.e., acknowledging various forms of literature (including oral traditions). For World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April, Indigenous Languages will be the message UNESCO will focus on.
Of the almost 7,000 existing languages – many of which are fast disappearing – the majority are spoken by indigenous peoples who represent the greater part of the world’s cultural diversity. The UN does not put restrictions on who or which cultures can be termed indigenous, but many of you will be aware of indigenous communities either from your own country, residing there, or among those you have worked with abroad.
Link for more
https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-book-and-copyright