LEXHAWK SUMMER INTERNSHIP – 2020

 R.SRIMUGAN

LEGAL PUBLISHING INDUSTRY IN INDIA

Introduction :

The publishing industry is one of the oldest industries, which has witnessed tremendous
change in productivity, output and distribution. From the evolutions of printing press to the
recent e-readers, the industry has seen many innovations. The Indian publishing industry,
with a CARG of 30 per cent, is poised to grow into one of the major sectors in India.
Publishers not only publish books but also perform the duty of encoding innovative ideas into
intellectual property, thus creating a pool of intangible assets which could be monetized. The
protection and management of these assets are of utmost importance. With the advent of new
technologies, industry is witnessing alternate content creation and distribution mechanism.
The industry has strong linkages with various stakeholders in the value chain, both vertically
and horizontally; and these linkages could result in multiplier effect. It is, therefore,
imperative to have a robust legal mechanism in place.

Evolution and Growth :

With a country of 1.2 billion population, 24 major languages, 74.04% literacy rate, 523
universities, and 33,023 colleges, India provides incredible opportunities to the publishing
industry which is an indispensible component of India's vibrant economy. It is counted
among the top seven publishing nations and is one of the best book markets in the world.
With 140, 000 printing presses and 19,000 publishing houses, the industry provides
employment to more than 2 million people. Retail revolution, proliferation of international
publication houses and diversification in publication categories and genres of have taken this
sector to new realms. Operation of international giants including Bloomsbury, Simon &
Schuster, Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Penguin and Macmillan goes on to
substantiate the country's global footprint. Overseas publishers have never been more willing
to collaborate and enter into joint ventures or licensing agreement with local publishers to
explore India's robust economy and offer niche products. Apropos to the booming Indian
economy, a dynamic and fast growing market, demographic dividends including increased
literacy and a growing English speaking audience, allowance of 100 % foreign direct
investment (FDI) for non-news publication and 26 % for news publication, India is placed at
a significant vantage point that attracts overseas investment within the publishing and print
industry.

India in the last decade, has witnessed a boon in the books and publishing industry. The
ushering in of the knowledge-based economy in the new millennium has contributed to the
surge in the demand for books. The literature of a country is no doubt an index of the opinion
and condition of its people, and therefore it is inevitable for good governance that the rulers
of a country should posses such an index. The need had been recognized even during the
British rule, and the 20th century saw the enactment of stringent antipress laws, particularly
when the freedom movement gained momentum.

British government wanted to curb the activities of revolutionaries and the right of
newspapers to report these. Reporting was closely monitored and comments against
government were not tolerated. The Vernacular Press Act was passed in 1878 with the sole
intention of curbing and controlling the Indian language newspapers. This, however, led to
widespread protest in India and to some extent in England and was finally replaced in 1881.
The Newspapers Act in 1908 was passed to empower magistrates to cease a press wherein a
newspaper containing matters which incited murder or any other act of violence or offences
(falling under the Explosives Substance Act) were printed. In 1910, the Indian Press Act
came into existence which aimed at restricting publications inciting offences like violence
and seditions and which gave the government right to demand security deposit from the press
or forfeit the publication.

This Act was made more regress in 1913 and later on was repealed. In 1923, came another
piece of stringent law called the Official Secrets Act. This Act prohibited the democratic
concept of transparency of governance by forbidding the publication of classified official
information. Lots of information vital to the public was withheld from the press in the name
of Official Secrets Act. In 1951, The Press (Objectionable Matters) Act was passed to provide
against the printing of objectionable matters including matters which may provoke a crime.
This Act provided for a judicial enquiry before demanding security deposit from a printing
press or forfeiting it.

The now non-existent Act was initially intended for 2 years, though it extended up to
February 1956. Finally in 1955, following the recommendations of the First Press
Commission Working Journalists and other Newspaper Employees and Miscellaneous
 Provisions Act was passed which made provisions to ensure the welfare of working
journalists and other newspaper employees. This was followed by The Working Journalists
Act in 1958 passed to overcome certain difficulties regarding wage fixation.

Top Law publishers in the Indian :

 SAGE Publications

 Taxmann Publication.

 Excel Books.

 Eastern Book Company.

 Delhi Law House.

 Vij Books.

 Scientific Publishers.

Bibliography :
www.mondaq.com
www.commerciallawpublishers.com
www.obhanandassociates.com