Documentation and archiving the performing arts
Issues of Intellectual Property Rights and Intangible Cultural Heritage

Hi all!
Would love responses.

2 things:

firstly, the ready reckoner is a 'work in progress' and all we who worked on it (Sonal, Shena, me) still need comments, feedback to tighten it up.

secondly, i suddenly am undecided if this is a good idea in the first place To re-phrase that, I am little unsure when i see what rayson has said about making cultural practices a commodity. We are faced on the one hand with concerns of protecting the rights of communities so that they do not get taken advantage of, and at the same time, there is the moral dilemma of whether we should quantify traditional knowledge as 'property' as we have done...what do we do?- sound traditional communities that knowledge IS a commodity and that they should be prepared to deal with it or don't sound them in deference to the traditional idea of a life of commons and see them being taken for a ride...???

I have been working with the marginalized communities for the past 5 years. Ownership is an alien idea to the communities that i work with. The idea that a musical composition/land/myth/story belongs to an individual/community is certainly not their concern. This is why most of the tribal people did not even know when their land, culture and art were looted from them by foreign agencies, like State Govt., researchers and missionaries. And why is rights important to me? Because this is an area where violation of rights happens consistently, through the ages. Making the community understand their rights would be intruding into the basic philosophy of life of the commons. Once they are aware of their rights, it no longer is a cultural practice, it a product to be sold. But how do we involve in the issue. The best way i believe is to involve minimally, giving space for them to decide, as to how the document should be disseminated.

Piracy is the most burning issue facing the Entertainment Industry today. It is necessary for us to take a close look at what havoc it is causing to the growth of one of the largest creative centers of music and film in the world.
The manner in which Piracy has taken over the overseas markets-digital and physical needs to be addressed at each global forum.We are the worst affected after the USA. Saha, The Indian Record Mfg.Co.Ltd.

Music is developing new and varied uses and there is need for the growth of a healthy Music Publishing sector in the Industry. This would enable a more focussed utilization of any piece of music like in film synchronization, adaptation in plays, use in advertising films and new versions of the lyrics and tune of the original song. There are other uses which are not being tabulated for the present. The Music Industry is too focussed on the exploitation of the original in its CD format or in the "sound recording". But there is a lot more that can be done.Saha, The Indian Record Mfg.Co.Ltd.

I am a member of the Music Industry and have been involved for the past 35 years or so. An important issue facing the Industry today is the licensing of content by the owners for the multiple uses that are evolving - broadcasting, digital download and streaming and on the mobile platform. In view of the fact that the Copyright Act is an enabling statute it is imperative that content flow is made simple and automatic. At the same time it must be remunerative to the owner/s.That is the challenge the Industry faces today. Saha, The Indian Record Mfg.Co.Ltd.

First of all, the articles on website will be so helpful for further discussion and to understand copyright law nationally and Internationally!

I practice Community Theatre since last 10 years, called BUDHAN THEATRE, to create an awareness and sensitize to people and govt. for the acceptiblity of my stigmatized community which was branded as a Criminal Tribe by British and still community is facing this stigma.

Our plays and our performances helping us to change our identity...in fact, Theater becomes a Idenitity of Community...It is ongoing process...

Now, slowly, many other Theatre practitioners begin to adopt our play which will be also helpful to us to remove stigma, it will make understood to different kind of audiance about our issues, culture, arts, stigma, history, pain, sorrow etc etc...In this case, should i think about the copyright of our performances and scripts? How it will be helpful to our Theatre Group?
Please suggest.

Dakxin Bajrange (Chhara tribe)
Budhan Theatre