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Cabinet nod to India joining world intellectual property treaties
New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) The Cabinet on Wednesday approved India’s accession to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty, and WIPO Performers and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) extending copyright coverage to the internet and digital spheres, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Briefing reporters here following a Cabinet meeting, he said both treaties provide the framework for creators and rights owners to use technical tools to protect their works and safeguard information about their use.
“The Cabinet in its meeting today has approved the proposal regarding accession to the WIPO Copyright Treaty and WIPO Performers and Phonograms Treaty,” Prasad said.
“These treaties will help India enable creative right-holders to enjoy the fruit of their labour, through international copyright system that can be used to secure a return on the investment made in producing and distributing creative works.
“The treaties will also facilitate international protection of domestic rights holder by providing them with the level playing field in other countries as India already extends protection to foreign works through the International Copyright order,” he added.
According to a Commerce Ministry release, the WIPO Copyright Treaty came into force on March 6, 2002, and has been adopted by 96 contracting parties till date. It is a special agreement under Berne Convention for protection of literary and artistic works.
It has provisions to extend the protection of copyrights to the digital environment.
It also recognises the rights specific to the digital environment, of making work available, to address “on-demand” and other interactive modes of access, the statement added.
WPPT came in force on May 20, 2002, and has 96 contracting parties as its members. It deals with rights of two kinds of beneficiaries – performers like actors, singers, musicians and others – and producers of phonograms or sound recordings.
The treaty empowers right owners in their negotiations with new digital platforms and distributors. It recognises moral rights of performers for the first time and provides exclusive economic rights to them.
Prasad said the approval is a step towards the objective of getting value for national Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) through commercialisation by providing guidance and support to IPR owners about commercial opportunities of e-commerce through the internet and mobile platforms,
The treaties would also spur business growth and contribute to the development of a vibrant creative economy and cultural landscape, he added.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.