The Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2023 was passed by the Indian Parliament on July 31, 2023. The Act amends the Copyright Act, 1957, and introduces a number of new provisions to protect copyrights in India.

Key amendments in the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2023 include:

• Increased penalties for copyright infringement: The Act increases the maximum penalty for copyright infringement from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. It also introduces the possibility of imprisonment for up to three years for repeat offenders.
• New provisions for online copyright infringement: The Act introduces new provisions to address copyright infringement in the online environment. These provisions include a requirement for internet service providers to take down infringing content upon notification from copyright holders.
• Protection for digital works: The Act provides additional protection for digital works, such as computer programs and databases. It also clarifies that the copyright in a digital work extends to the source code and object code of the work.
• Improved enforcement of copyrights: The Act establishes a new Copyright Enforcement Authority to oversee the enforcement of copyrights in India. The Authority will have the power to investigate and take action against copyright infringement.
• The Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2023 is a significant step towards protecting copyrights in India. The new provisions in the Act will help to deter copyright infringement and ensure that creators are compensated for their work.

Some additional details about the key amendments in the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2023:

• Increased penalties for copyright infringement:

The Act increases the maximum penalty for copyright infringement from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. This is a significant increase, and it is likely to deter copyright infringement. The Act also introduces the possibility of imprisonment for up to three years for repeat offenders. This is a further deterrent, and it is likely to be used in cases of serious copyright infringement.

• New provisions for online copyright infringement:

The Act introduces new provisions to address copyright infringement in the online environment. These provisions include a requirement for internet service providers to take down infringing content upon notification from copyright holders. This is a significant provision, and it is likely to be effective in reducing online copyright infringement. The Act also introduces a new provision that allows copyright holders to seek injunctions against online platforms that facilitate copyright infringement. This is a powerful tool that can be used to prevent copyright infringement from happening in the first place.

• Protection for digital works:

The Act provides additional protection for digital works, such as computer programs and databases. It also clarifies that the copyright in a digital work extends to the source code and object code of the work. This is important because it ensures that copyright holders have the same level of protection for digital works as they do for traditional works, such as books and movies.

• Improved enforcement of copyrights:

The Act establishes a new Copyright Enforcement Authority to oversee the enforcement of copyrights in India. The Authority will have the power to investigate and take action against copyright infringement. This is a positive step, and it is likely to lead to more effective enforcement of copyrights in India.

The Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2023 is a significant step forward for copyright protection in India. The new provisions in the Act will help to deter copyright infringement and ensure that creators are compensated for their work.