1. Copyright and Book Piracy in Pakistan
Khalid Mahmood
Department of Library & Information Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Muhammad Ilyas
Department of Library & Information Science, University of Balochistan, Quetta

2. Copyright Defined
Copyright is a legal term describing rights given to creators for their literary and artistic works.
Kinds of works covered by copyright include: literary works such as novels, poems, plays, reference works, newspapers and computer programs; databases; films, musical compositions, and choreography; artistic works such as paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture; architecture; and advertisements, maps and technical drawings.

3. Legal Definition of Copyright
According to The Copyright Ordinance, 1962
The exclusive right
to reproduce the work in any material form
to publish the work
to perform the work in public
to produce, reproduce, perform or publish any translation of the work
to broadcast the work
to make any adaptation of the work

4. Book Piracy
Deliberate infringement of copyright on intellectual property and an absolute disregard for ownership or authorship of literary works OR
Using another person’s opinion, ideas or works as if they were one’s own and without making any attempt at acknowledging their true source

5. The Berne Convention
Adopted by an international conference held in 1886 at Berne, Switzerland
8th amendment in 1979
Salient features:
National treatment
Preclusion of formalities
Minimum terms of protection
Minimum exclusive rights

6. Universal Copyright Convention
Adopted at Geneva in 1952 and revised at Paris in 1971
Main features:
No more favorable copyright treatment for domestic authors than the authors of other countries
A formal copyright notice on all copies of a work
Minimum term of copyright is the life of the author plus 25 years
Right of translation for a seven-year period

7. The Copyright Ordinance, 1962
Salient features:
Period of copyright is the life of the author and 50 years after his death
Registration of copyright is not mandatory but recommended
Allows reproduction for ‘Fair Use’ in research, teaching, private study, criticism, review, news reporting, and judicial proceeding
Provides 3 types of remedies against infringement:
Civil
Criminal
Administrative

8. Copyright Amendment, 2000
Criminal penalties up to three years imprisonment or a fine of Rs.100,000 which are doubled for second or subsequent offenses
Civil ex parte search orders (without notice to the defendant)
Registrar’s authority to prohibit (seize, detain, etc.) the export and import of infringing copies
A new right in “typographical arrangement” of a published edition of a work

9. Literature Review
Non-cooperative attitude of the government and foreign publishers (Mirza, 1983)
High cost of book causes piracy; 80% piracy in textbooks (Haider, 1993)
Piracy gains respectability because it promotes reading habits (Haider, 1996)
Copyright laws are clear; No infringement in local books; Piracy due to high prices and non-cooperation from foreign publishers (Sethi, 1994)
Need to raise public awareness (Mirza, 1992)

10. American Views on Book Piracy
International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) represents 1,300 U.S. companies
IIPA publishes annual reviews of copyright piracy of US materials by various countries
During 2004, the estimated total trade loss of US book industry amounts to US$603 millions in 67 selected countries

11. Trade Loss of US Book Industry Due to Piracy in Pakistan
Year
Loss (in millions of US dollars)
1995 30
1996
1997
1998 40
1999 42
2000 45
2001 44
2002
2003
2004 52

12. IIPA Reviews Piracy in Pakistan
Piracy of computer, business, medical and engineering texts, English Language Teaching materials, and reference materials
Legitimate importers and booksellers reported a sharp decline in sales
Reprint piracy and commercial photocopying remained major problems
Entire books are photocopied and available for sale in stalls and bookstores
Trade bestsellers are pirated in large numbers and available everywhere
Pakistan also exports pirated books to India, the Middle East, and even Africa
Some raids are reported but with little effect
Maximum fine that a pirate has received from prosecutions was Rs.15,000
No sentences involving imprisonments were meted out
Pakistan is the world’s worst pirate country for published materials (per capita)
Law in Pakistan is not compatible with international conventions and agreements

13. Pakistan’s Response Government is ready to take serious steps
Pakistan Intellectual Property Rights Organization (PIPRO) was established in 2004
A draft Bill for PIPRO Act is ready for presentation to the Parliament
PIRPO has powers and functions to protect IPRs in Pakistan

14. Objectives of Study
Find out what international and national copyright conventions and laws are applicable in Pakistan
Determine the awareness level of publishing industry about copyright laws
Determine the causes of book piracy in Pakistan
Find out the major beneficiaries of book piracy
Suggest measures to be taken against book piracy

15. Methodology
Questionnaire survey of Pakistani publishers, booksellers, importers and exporters of books
There was no comprehensive directory of book trade in Pakistan
On the basis of some short directories and with the help of professional librarians the a list of 893 enterprises was prepared
Cities covered: Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta
Simple random sample of 90 respondents (approximately 10% of the total population)
83 responses were analyzed

16. Causes of Book Piracy Causes Percent
High price of original edition thus low sale 80
High rate of profit 33
Non-availability of original editions 29
Inclusion of foreign books in syllabus 28
Easy and affordable reproduction technology 24
Inappropriate law for copyright violation 20
Legal action is complicated and time consuming
No supervisory mechanism to enforce copyright law 18
Difficulties in obtaining copyrights from foreign publisher/author 14
Difficulties in importing foreign book 12
Lack of communication between publishers/booksellers and the Copyright Office 6

17. Major Beneficiaries of Book Piracy
Percent
Publishers 41
Booksellers 39
Readers 18

18. Awareness and Opinion about Copyright Laws
Question
Yes
Do you know there is a copyright law in Pakistan?
92%
Do you know about international copyright conventions?
35%
Is existing copyright law effective in curbing book piracy in Pakistan?
40%
Are international copyright conventions respected in Pakistan?
30%
Can copyright notice on the book prevent book piracy?
19%
Are you satisfied with the legal provisions in the Copyright Ordinance regarding book piracy?
47%

19. Suggested Measures Against Book Piracy
Percent
Strict enforcement of copyright law 60
Subsidizing original editions of textbooks 48
More efficient role of National Book Foundation in reprinting of essential books 31
Encouragement of local writers for writing good books 25
Easy procedures for book import 19
Publicity of copyright laws 12

20. Recommendations
A public awareness campaign regarding the importance of copyright should be conducted using all possible means of mass media. This campaign might emphasize moral obligations as well as legal provisions of copyright law. The readers may be informed about disadvantages of pirated books, especially about the bad effect of their printing quality on the eyesight and understanding of the contents. National and international publishers’ associations can sponsor this campaign.
The mechanism of vigilance and enforcement of the copyright law need lot of improvements as there are complaints of corruption on the part of law enforcing officials and delayed judicial proceedings. More efficient and vigilant officials and prompt judicial proceedings resulting in strict punishment to the culprits may cause deterrent effect in general.
Training should be arranged for police, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officers, customs staff, prosecutors and judges in dealing the cases of copyright violation.
The Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association can play an effective role in curbing book piracy. Membership of the individuals may be cancelled who are found guilty of copyright violation after investigation.
Non availability of low price foreign books should be considered as the main cause of book piracy in Pakistan. Publishers should supply textbooks on special price for developing countries. For this purpose foreign publishers can open their sub-offices in Pakistan.

21. Recommendations (cont…)
Foreign publishers must also be persuaded to legally confer copyright against reasonable royalties so that local publishing industry can reprint their books cheaply in Pakistan.
The role of National Book Foundation should be enhanced by generous funding. Along with this, economical book production by academic institutions, like universities and professional colleges, and volunteer organizations may be encouraged.
The establishment of the Pakistan Intellectual Property Rights Organization (PIPRO) by the Government of Pakistan in 2004 was a right step. This organization is still waiting for government funding and proper legislation. PIPRO has also been a victim of non-cooperation of Education, Home, Commerce, Industry and Law Ministries of the government.
A research cell may be established by the book trade and the government to analyze factors causing book piracy and give suggestions on how can copyright be respected in the country.

22. THIS IS THE MAOJR CAUSE OF BOOK PIRACY
Conclusion
Pakistan has a strict and clear copyright law but its implementation is not easy
Pakistan government’s failure to protect copyright causes a damage to its dignity in international community
Readers are not well aware of the benefits of copyright
Copyright law must be enforced, but
First, provide foreign books to local readers at low price because
THIS IS THE MAOJR CAUSE OF BOOK PIRACY

23. Thank You