Publishers Against Delhi High Court Order on Photocopy Case

After the Delhi High Court rejected the plea made by some publishers against the illegal selling of photocopied books, the international publishing houses have decided to file an appeal against the decision of the court.

Some of the publishers stuck in the controversy are:

• Oxford University Press
• Cambridge University Press
• Taylor & Francis
• Association of Publishers in India
• Federation of India Publishers
• Indian Reprographic Rights Organisation

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In a common statement made by all the above publishers, they said that they have made the decision of appealing against the court order after careful deliberation and have kept in mind the long term benefits of the same that will be availed by the students, educators, academics, authors and the publishing industry.

Also, this decision made by the publishing houses is fully supported by:

• Association of Publishers India
• Federation of Indian Publishers
• Indian Reprographic Rights Organisation

The high court had rejected the plea made by the publishers regarding the sale of photocopies of their textbooks saying that one cannot use copyrights in literary works as complete ownership lies with the authors.

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Regarding this, the publishers said that they will appeal against the decision of the high court, as they expect that copyright law will help and favour them and others creating learning material.

Not only this, a photocopy shop existing in the Delhi University was banned earlier for selling photocopied material of international and national publishers to the students. The latest order by the high court has also removed the ban from the shop.

The publishers pointed that they are in favour of providing knowledge to all but are against the disrespect towards the creators of the content and other people involved in the process like authors, illustrators, designers and publishers.

The publishers said that they are aware of the fact that not every student can buy every book they require. Keeping this in mind, the publishers have also invested in local publishing options that provide the students with low-cost editions, course-packs, adaptations and reprint titles, and have started supporting local and university libraries, all in the favour of the students.

Saying that the issue was serious, justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Pratibha Rani informed that the matter will be concluded on November 29.