Lawgist logo - L! Lawgist.
The Copyright Act

31BCompulsory licence for benefit of disabled

1[31B. Compulsory licence for benefit of disabled.---(1) Any person working for the benefit of persons with disability on a profit basis or for business may apply to the 2[Appellate Board], in such form and manner and accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed, for a compulsory licence to published any work in which copyright subsists for the benefit of such persons, in a case to which clause (zb) of sub-section (1) of section 52 does not apply and the 2[Appellate Board] shall dispose of such application within a period of two months from the receipt of the application.

(2) The 2[Appellate Board] may, on receipt of an application under sub-section (1), inquire, or direct such inquiry as it considers necessary to establish the credentials of the applicant and satisfy itself that the application has been made in good faith.

(3) If the 2[Appellate Board] is satisfied, after giving to the owners of rights in the work a reasonable opportunity of being heard and after holding such inquiry as it may deem necessary, that a compulsory licence needs to be issued to make the work available to the disabled, it may direct the Registrar of Copyright to grant to the applicant such a licence to publish the work.

(4) Every compulsory licence issued under this section shall specify the means and format of publication, the period during which the compulsory licence may be exercised and, in the case of issue of copies, the number of copies that may be issued including the rate or royalty:

Provided that where the 2[Appellate Board] issued such a compulsory licence it may, on a further application and after giving reasonable opportunity to the owners of rights, extend the period of such compulsory licence and allow the issue of more copies as it may deem fit.]

Download our fully-offline, High speed android app.- Click here

1. Ins. by Act 27 of 2012, s. 18 (w.e.f. 21-6-2012).

2. Subs. by Act 7 of 2017, s.160, for "Copyright Board" (w.e.f. 26-5-2017).

Download the App Now!

Get our Android app for fast and offline Access.

Get it on Google Play
Lawgist is not a law firm and does not engage in the practice of law or provide legal advice or legal representation. All information, software, services, and comments provided on this site are for informational and self-help purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Use of this site is subject to our Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer, and Privacy Policy.About Us Made in ♥ with India, Internet and Lots of Courtroom Dramas