Copyright law and the Academic Libraries: a perspective

Abstract

The purpose is to emphasize the significance of copyright laws in the academic environment. The origin of the copyright law dates back to 1662 or 1710 of Queen Anne who set a pattern for formal copyright statutes at the international level and in India copyright regime came into practice with the Indian copyright act 1957, amended five times has richly influenced by British copyright act. But not many (even librarians) are aware of its existence and its enforcement, influence on library collection and library services. In India the legal position under the act is that only very specific activities are permitted as regards to libraries and library services and much needs to be done for copyright awareness.