v Context: Xerography revolutionised how we copy, print, and distribute textual material.
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Photocopying is
creating a duplicate of a document or image using light.
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Xerography is a dry photocopying
technique that uses electrostatic charges to create an image.
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It was developed and commercialised by the Xerox Corporation.
Xerography and Counterfeiting
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To prevent xerography-based counterfeiting, countries use anti-counterfeiting
measures like watermarks,
microprinting, holograms, security strips, and colour-changing
ink in their currency.
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For, e.g., the 2005 series Rs. 50 notes issued by RBI included the Omron
anti-photocopying feature, visible as small yellow circles.
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Some photocopiers have software to prevent copying
currency with distinct patterns.
Xerography and Copyright
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In 2012, academic publishers, including Oxford University Press, sued
a photocopy shop and the University of Delhi for copyright infringement
for photocopying portions of reference books.
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Copyright · Copyright is a legal concept
that protects creators' rights to their literary and
artistic works. · It covers various works, including books, music, art, films, computer programs,
databases, ads, maps, and technical drawings. · Copyrights in India are
governed by “The Copyright Act,
1957”. |
Right to Reproduction
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The Copyright Act, 1957 grants copyright owners’ exclusive reproduction rights.
Therefore, making photocopies amounts to a violation of the right to
reproduction.
Exceptions to Right to
Reproduction
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Under the Copyright Act of 1957, fair dealing with a work is not
considered copyright infringement if it's done for:
- private or personal use (including research)
- criticism or review of that work or any other work
- reporting current events and affairs (including a lecture delivered in public)
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Since the term ‘fair dealing’ is not defined in the Act,
the judiciary determines its scope on a case-by-case basis.
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Under the Act, the reproduction of any work is not considered
copyright infringement if it is done:
- By a teacher or a pupil in the course
of instruction
- As part of the question in an
examination
- In answer to examination questions
Photocopying Reference Books is Not Copyright
Infringement
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The Delhi High Court dismissed the copyright infringement
petition against the photocopy shop and the University of Delhi.
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The court ruled that creating course packs for students by
photocopying portions of prescribed reference books is considered 'fair
dealing with a work'.
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The DU photocopy judgment is considered a victory for access to
education.