On March 22, 2017, Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as the “Bill”) wherein the Copyright Board is set to be merged with the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (hereinafter referred to as “IPAB”).
This Bill seeks to amend the Copyright Act, 1957, so as to transfer the functions of the Copyright Board to IPAB, which presently deals with matters relating to trademarks, patents and geographical indications only. This bill also proposes to amend the rules pertaining to qualifications, appointment and other terms of service of the members of IPAB. It introduces Section 89A to the Copyright Act which leaves these matters to be solely governed by Section 179 of the Finance Act, 2017, in respect of members appointed after the commencement of this Act. The Central Government can make rules in this regard.
This Bill is presently pending for the Presidents assent to become a law. A copy of the said bill can be found over here
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