Intellectual property is a dynamic industry considering its bedrock is the vast expanse of the human mind extending over the ages and eras of the past and the present. For a country that was known around the world for its brilliant intellectual capabilities, India has a lot of age old 'intellectual property' at every nook and corner of the country.

Thrissur Pooram is a famous festival in Kerala wherein one of the most famous temple art forms- Panchavadyam is performed. Panchavadyam is an orchestra consisting 5 instruments and originated as an offering to the deity in temples.

Recently, a movie Oru Kadhai Sollatuma also known as 'The Sound Story' was released. The film narrates the story of a sound designer who strives hard to realize his dream of recording all the sounds of the Thrissur Pooram.

The story is linear so far. The twist lies in the fact that the copyright in this movie 'The Sound Story' is owned by Sony Music. Hence, onlookers at the Pooram festival were restrained from uploading the Panchavadyam on Youtube. Since Sony Music, has copyrighted the music inspired by the Pooram festival, any other user uploading similar content was apparently infringing Sony's copyright in its songs. Don't become the devils you fight, they say. It is ironical for a movie that seeks to document the famous art form of Panchvadyam!! A lot of hue and cry is seen amongst the masses due to Sony's monopolising a traditional art form.

Remember our story about Hakuna Matata, last month? Such incidents bring us back to the question of whether traditional knowledge, traditionally passed on art forms, creative innovations that metamorphosed through generations, are to be rightfully contained only by those that have the liberty and access to modern day IP frameworks? If it has been passed on between generations for ages together, don't we owe its development and evolution to the intellect of all the generations that have contributed??

Intellectual property is a dynamic industry considering its bedrock is the vast expanse of the human mind extending over the ages and eras of the past and the present. For a country that was known around the world for its brilliant intellectual capabilities, India has a lot of age old 'intellectual property' at every nook and corner of the country. Thrissur Pooram is a famous festival in Kerala wherein one of the most famous temple art forms- Panchavadyam is performed. Panchavadyam is an orchestra consisting 5 instruments and originated as an offering to the deity in temples. Recently, a movie Oru Kadhai Sollatuma also known as 'The Sound Story' was released. The film narrates the story of a sound designer who strives hard to realize his dream of recording all the sounds of the Thrissur Pooram. The story is linear so far. The twist lies in the fact that the copyright in this movie 'The Sound Story' is owned by Sony Music. Hence, onlookers at the Pooram festival were restrained from uploading the Panchavadyam on Youtube. Since Sony Music, has copyrighted the music inspired by the Pooram festival, any other user uploading similar content was apparently infringing Sony's copyright in its songs. Don't become the devils you fight, they say. It is ironical for a movie that seeks to document the famous art form of Panchvadyam!! A lot of hue and cry is seen amongst the masses due to Sony's monopolising a traditional art form. Remember our story about Hakuna Matata, last month? Such incidents bring us back to the question of whether traditional knowledge, traditionally passed on art forms, creative innovations that metamorphosed through generations, are to be rightfully contained only by those that have the liberty and access to modern day IP frameworks? If it has been passed on between generations for ages together, don't we owe its development and evolution to the intellect of all the generations that have contributed??

Compiled by: Adv. Sachi Kapoor | Concept & Edited by: Dr. Mohan Dewan

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