Limitations prevail to enforce copyright law: Speakers

A section of speakers at a discussion yesterday demanded strict implementation of the Copyright Act 2017 to ensure the rights of creators of original works by determining whether, and under what conditions, others can use it.

Meanwhile, other participants said the current situation of the country has some limitations to implement the act strictly, as people from all walks of life are yet to be capable of buying books at high prices. 

This remarks came from a discussion marking World Book and Copyright Day 2019, organsied by Bishwa Sahitya Kendra (BSK) at its auditorium in the capital’s Banglamotor.

Presenting a keynote paper on “Amader Srijonshil Grantha o Medhaswatta” (Our creative books and intellectual rights), Department of Secondary and Higher Education Director Prof Dr Abdul Mannan Sarker said, “Creative writers are being deprived of their rights [economic benefit from intellectual property], as their books are being pirated indiscriminately.”  He claimed that reluctance of the state is responsible for such a situation.

Khan Mahbubul Alam, vice president of Bangladesh Gyan O Srijonshil Prokashok Samity, alleged that pirated books are being sold in some book stalls at Nilkhet but no one is there to monitor this offence.

“If it continues, mainstream publishers will lose their interest to publish books,” he said.

Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Sohrab Hossain said many people -- especially students -- read pirated books, so strict implementation of the law is not possible in this circumstance.

“Our country is developing day by day. One day it will be possible when the income of people is high,” he said.

Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed, founder president of BSK said the copyright law is important for ensuring the right of writers, although there are some difficulties in the current circumstances of the country to implement the act strictly.

He urged all to increase their reading habits in printed version of books.   

World Books and Copyright Day was observed across the world yesterday. On April 23, 1995, Unesco started celebrating the day to encourage reading, publishing, and copyright worldwide.