The Central government has notified the Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 2021 which amends the Copyright Rules, 2013..The amendments have been introduced with the objective of bringing accountability and transparency, and making the existing rules in parity with other relevant laws..It also aims to ensure smooth and flawless compliance in the light of the technological advancement in digital era by adopting electronic means as primary mode of communication and working in the Copyright Office. .A new provision regarding the publication of a copyrights journal has been incorporated, thereby eliminating the requirement of publication in the Official Gazette. .The amendment also deals with undistributed royalty amounts and use of electronic and traceable payment methods while collecting and distributing royalties. The copyright societies will now be required to draw up and make public an Annual Transparency Report for each financial year..The compliance requirements for registration of software works have been largely reduced, as now the applicant has the liberty to file the first 10 and last 10 pages of source code, or the entire source code if less than 20 pages, with no blocked out or redacted portions..The time limit for the Central Government to respond to an application made before it for registration as a copyright society is extended to one hundred and eighty days..The Copyright Rules, 2013 were last amended in the year 2016.
