Xerox case

I came across this case, last year when I was casually scanning the newspaper.This relates to Delhi University.There is a  photocopier attached to  Delhi University  named Rameshwari photocopy services.The said shop   extracts course materials  from copyrighted text books .This extracted material is compiled & made available to students. The publishers  ( Oxford ,Cambridge & Francis & Taylor ) have sued the Delhi University & Rameshwari Photocopy services for infringement of copyright.

This has sparked a huge debate.Students & lawyers argue that the Indian Copyright act provides exemption in cases where 10 % of the copyrighted material is used for purposes of education. Publishers  argue that this  is piracy per se.The Federation of Indian Publishers ( FIP ) is saying that Indian Reprographic Rights Organization ( IRRO ) has a solution.The Universities & institutes need to apply for a license which allows them to legally photocopy copyrighted material.The license fee is just Rs 12000/- per year.Yet,many argue that IRRO solution is unacceptable.Firstly, because the exception in the Indian Copyright act does not say that license is mandatory  for photocopying copyrighted material.Secondly ,IRRO cannot give a total & inclusive   license  as it is not the only copy right holder of all educational material.

This case was filed in August,2012.In October,2012, Delhi High Court granted a stay  in favour of the publishers.The course material cannot be produced as per the interim order.A student body has been formed, by the name of Association of Students for Equitable Access to Knowledge ( ASEAK ) to defend the rights of students.

No final order has been passed.Students say, that all cannot pay for high costs of materials & hence, photocopying is valid. Publishers  argue, that in a country, where parents are ready & willing to pay lakhs to send their wards to Universities,why can't some amount be paid for copyrighted material.The debate continues.

The decision in this  case, is going to have a huge impact on photocopying   in our nation where we go  to Xerox oops  ( Xerox is a brand )  photocopy documents regaularly.Come to think of it ,walking to  & fro  the photocopier everyday, is  a good exercise.Photocopying is our national past time.For those, who find it impossible, to take out time to walk ,walking to get photocopies done is the best option....killing two birds with one stone.Or multitasking !

This is my blog post for "X" for the A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Sharing blog posts of fellow bloggers :

Ekta Khetan 

Jaibala Rao

Reading attitude.

I took part in an online novel writing contest after Deepavali last year. The target was to write more than 50,000 words in one month from the 1st of the month till the last day of the month.

Though, I took this up mainly to test as to whether I can indeed write so many words,I did manage to finish it before the final day.When I took up writing the novel,I had no idea how it was all going to shape up.I just wrote on a day to day basis having calculated that I will have to write at least 1500 words on a daily basis.I just poured out all my feelings,anguish,loneliness,-in fact everything I felt.I knew that I was a novice & not creative & hence, I had to somehow pen in so many words if I wanted to succeed.In the midst of all this,I also began to doubt as to how would the novel end.I told my parents & friends the story in brief & asked them to suggest an ending.As the days passed,I realised that I wanted to give my novel an end full of hope- it had to be positive. I did end the novel on a very positive note.In this, I was helped by the fact, that the site wherein this contest was held,used to send us pep talks to keep our spirits awake if not high.

I was relieved, that I had completed the task at hand.I felt thrilled- I was a novelist -so what, if it was my debut novel.Now what ?I thought of approaching publishers with my debut novel but then I had to first get it all in print.My middle class upbringing forbid me to spend an uneconomic amount on such a pursuit as I had my doubts about the novel ever being even glanced at by a publisher.

I then, came across a site that publishes any book for free but online.So,I uploaded my novel on to the site & then emailed the link to all my friends,ex-colleagues-in fact everybody who was on my mailing list.I requested them to click on the link,sign up & comment as also rate the novel.Few did take the trouble of reading my novel & did as requested .I shall indeed remain indebted to them all my life.But by & large, my novel was ignored by the very people, I thought were my near & dear ones.

The reasons given by many was that as soon as they read the book,they would surely comment but they omitted to state that they neither had the inclination nor the time to heed to my repeated pleas.When I argued, that they can comment in short even in a word or two,they replied, that unless they read,they wouldn't be able to do that.I was elated that by their brutal honesty in these deceitful times ! I was of the opinion that honesty was a relic of a bygone era.

Their frank comments are still awaited. The result, is that my book remains online only.My hubby has very diplomatically steered clear of investing in his wife's venture by saying ,"It is better that some publisher takes it up-they are experts -they will market it as well."

I have realized now, that I erred, by asking people to comment & rate the novel by reading it ! Actually,I am glad in a way, that the book is published online only.Marketing a printed book will be a daunting task given the attitudes,I have come across so far.I am certain, that I will end up paying people who take efforts to read it.

So it is going to be grossly uneconomical, so,I better leave it at that !