Copyright Act, 1957
31. Compulsory license in works with held from
public-
(1) If at any time during the term of
copyright in any Indian work which has been published or performed in public, a
complaint is made to the Copyright Board that the owner of copyright in the
work-
a. has refused to
republish or allow the republication of the work or has refused to allow the
performance in public of the work, and by reason of such refusal the work is
with held from the public, or
behest refused to
allow communication to the public by [(Note: Subs. for
"radio-diffusion" by Act 23 of 1983, S.2 (w.e.f. 9-8-1984)) broadcast]
of such work or in the case of a [(Note: Subs. by Act 38 of 1994, S.2 (xii)
(w.e.f. a date to be notified)) sound recording] the work recorded in such
[(Note: Subs. by Act 38 of 1994, S.2 (xii) (w.e.f. a date to be notified)) sound
recording,] on terms which the complainant considers reasonable;
The Copyright Board, after giving to the owner
of the copyright in the work reasonably opportunity of being heard and after
holding such inquiry, as it may deemed necessary. May, if it is satisfied that
the grounds for such refusal are not reasonable, direct the Registrar of
Copyrights to grant to the complainant a license to republish the work, perform
the work in public or communicate the work to the public by [(Note: Subs.
for "radio-diffusion" by Act 23 of 1983, S.2 (w.e.f. 9-8-1984)) broadcast],
as the case may be, subject to payment to the owner of the copyright of such
compensation and subject to such other terms and conditions as the Copyright
Board may determine, and thereupon the Registrar of Copyrights shall grant the
license of the complainant in accordance with the direction of the Copyright
Board, on payment of such fees, as may be prescribed.
Explanation - In this sub section,
the expression "Indian work" includes-
i. an artistic work, the author of which is a
citizen of India, and
ii. a cinematograph film or a [(Note:
Subs. by Act 38 of 1994, S.2 (xii) (w.e.f. a date to be notified)) sound
recording] made or manufactured in India.
(2) Where two or more persons have made a complaint
under sub section (1), the license shall be granted to the complainant who in
the opinion of the Copyright Board would best serve the interests of the
general public.