Books, Publishers and Readers
Photocopies and the Delhi University Case
How publishers sued a photocopy shop at Delhi University over course packs, why the Delhi High Court ruled for students in 2016, and the balance between copyright and access to education.
Textbooks from foreign publishers can be expensive for Indian students.
The case
- In 2012, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press and Taylor & Francis sued Rameshwari Photocopy Services at Delhi University for making course packs from their books.
The ruling
- In 2016, the Delhi High Court ruled that making course packs for educational purposes fell within the copyright exception for teaching, under Section 52 of the Copyright Act.
- The publishers withdrew their case in 2017.
The debate
- Publishers: copying reduces sales and incentives to publish.
- Students and academics: education access matters; many can’t afford expensive books.
Economic view
Copyright balances incentives for creators against access for users. Exceptions for education tilt towards access.
Other solutions
- Low-priced Indian editions of foreign textbooks.
- Open educational resources.
- Library access.
The course pack
A DU student buys a course pack of photocopied chapters for a few hundred rupees instead of spending thousands on several textbooks.
Thinking copyright has no exceptions
Indian law has exceptions for education, as the 2016 ruling showed.
Key takeaways
- Publishers sued a DU photocopy shop in 2012.
- The Delhi High Court ruled for educational copying in 2016.
- Copyright balances creator incentives and access.
- Indian editions and open resources also improve access.
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