Misuse Of Copyright And Its Implication

Anjana H P, LLM, Reva, School of Legal Studies

ABSTRACT

The Copyright Act, which is intended to safeguard the rights of creators and foster innovation, is being progressively abused, resulting in many negative outcomes. This article examines the various ways in which copyright law is misused, focusing on specific issues such as baseless litigation, copyright trolling, excessive control by copyright owners, misuse of DMCA takedown notifications, and the prolongation of copyright periods. These activities have notable legal, economic, and societal consequences, such as a rise in lawsuits, financial hardships for small enterprises and independent artists, hindered innovation, and limited availability to information and cultural resources. Exemplary case studies are analyzed to demonstrate the practical consequences of these concerns. In order to tackle these difficulties, the article suggests several remedies, such as implementing legislative changes, improving the legal framework to establish and safeguard fair use, and launching educational campaigns to promote understanding of appropriate copyright practices. By addressing the improper use of the Copyright Act, it is feasible to reinstate equilibrium, guaranteeing that the legislation fulfills its initial objective of promoting innovation and public availability while protecting the rights of artists. This comprehensive strategy seeks to reduce the adverse effects of overuse and promote a fairer and more creative cultural environment.

Keywords: copyright, violation, piracy, intellectual property, digital media.