Ringtones focus of copyright laws
View(s):The popular ringtones that you hear – sometimes warming, sometimes irritating when in the middle of a conference – will be the latest music to come under copyright laws.
Director General of the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) G.R. Ranawaka said owners of copyright and related rights in the sector of ringtones would be fully protected through new amendments to the Intellectual Property Act.
The amendments will cover the rights of the owners and enhance the protection of their creations by introducing a new voluntary registration process, she said.
This system will further protect the rights of performers, producers of sound recordings and broadcasting organizations as well as authors, producers (lyrics writers, composers and singers)of song and music, creators of literary work, artistes, and composers as well as producers of ring tones.
The aim is to maintain a register of the rightful owners of literary creations including songs and music, Ms. Ranawake said adding that a certificate of registration (if requested) could be produced to prove ownership of the literary creation.
It will also be useful for them in litigation on infringement of copyrights or royalty payment issues, she added.
These amendments are being reviewed by the Intellectual Property Advisory Commission of Sri Lanka headed by Attorney at Law Ms. Suganthi Kadirgamar.
Public proposals and suggestions are being entertained by the NIPO and the May 30 deadline would be extended, she said.