I'm angered by its audacity: Big B goes on a rant against 'rubbish' copyright law

Son of noted poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan is miffed about his father’s works being in the public domain unprotected by the copyright law.

The late poet passed away in 2003. According to the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, Amitabh and his family will lose the copyright on Bachchan’s works in 2063, exactly 60 years after the writer’s death.

An angry Big B posted on his blog, “So who designed 60 years? Why 60, Why not 61, or why not perpetuity! Inheritors that come as natural heirs are natural right holders of creative copyright.”

Condemning the law further, Amitabh vented his frustration, “I believe it initiated in 1957 or so... and am angered by its audacity! So what gets left as natural heir by father Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan… becomes for the entire universe to tread, scratch, mutilate, use in commercial consideration on their own creative discretion...??? Rubbish..! I oppose, disagree, lament, dispute, be in variance of, in vehement loud screams of voice… (sic)”

It’s interesting to see that he so dearly wants to hold on to his father’s works ranging from the popular book Madhushaala to every school kid’s favourite poem Himmat Karne Waalon Ki Haar Nahi Hoti.

His poem Agneepath was used in Big B’s blockbuster film of the same name and he won the National Award for Best Actor that year. Another poem, Ruke Na Tu was used in one of his TV commercials.

“His writings be his .. his heir be me .. his writings be mine .. MINE ! i shall not and will not allow its dilution to general public (sic),” he wrote further. Will Big B will go as far as moving the court in this regard?