Javed Akhtar addresses copyright issue at WCS

Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar addresses the copyright issues of the songwriters, composers and authors in India, at an international forum. The social activist spoke about how the author's rights are neglected in India at the World Copyright Summit(WCS) in Brussels last week.

Javed, who faced a lot of opposition on his fight for the authors right in India was invited by the WCS to narrate his story. Javed proclaimed at the event, "My troubles started when I applied for a position as a member of the board of the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS). I understood that it was urgent to convince the government to amend the law so that they protect the authors. Today, we are about to reach our dream. The law will be passed in the coming months."

Legendary singer Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees group is the president of the Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers and chairperson of the summit. He praised Akhtar in his battle to bestow the creators their rights. Gibbs stated at the event (Mid Day), "I have witnessed with great pleasure that India has taken major steps forward towards the recognition of authors' rights. And I salute Javed Akhtar, who is here in the audience, and who has led the fight for this recognition."

Guy Fletcher, chairman of Performing Rights Society (PRS) For Music told, "Javed enabled us to better understand the injustices Indian creators have been suffering."