Author: Md. Imran Wahab

The use of CCTV footage as evidence has become increasingly important in Indian courts. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (Section 57) marks a significant change by classifying electronic records as primary evidence, simplifying their use in judicial proceedings. When seizing CCTV footage, law enforcement must follow a strict procedure to ensure its admissibility in court. Preliminary Steps & Legal Authority: The first step is for the Investigating Officer (IO) to locate the exact source of the CCTV footage (DVR/NVR system) and identify its owner. They must act quickly to prevent the footage from being overwritten, as most systems automatically delete…

Moral Rights and Copyright in India In our fast-paced digital era, where creative endeavors effortlessly cross global boundaries, the imperative to shield intellectual property extends beyond mere legal obligation; it’s a fundamental ethical commitment. India’s Copyright Act of 1957 stands as a robust legal framework, designed not only to secure the financial interests of artists and innovators but also to uphold the deeply personal and reputational ties they share with their original works. This exploration delves into the concept of moral rights, outlining their legal foundation, common infringements, and the avenues for recourse available to creators under Indian law. Moral…

Videography of Crime Scenes Videography of crime scenes is a crucial part of modern criminal investigations. It helps make sure everything is clear, keeps evidence safe and untouched, and ensures that video proof can be used in court. With new technology now deeply involved in our justice system, using video to record crime scenes has become a required practice. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, makes videography of crime scenes and other investigative procedures mandatory. The key provision is Section 176(3), which requires the videography of the evidence collection process for any offense punishable with imprisonment of seven years…

In the world of public service, where people often question every action and motive, a quiet but important change is happening. More and more police officers, in different agencies and communities, are now contributing in a special way. Their efforts aren’t about money or climbing the career ladder. Instead, they focus on building strong relationships, showing kindness, and earning public trust. These are acts of pure generosity, given without the hope of getting anything in return. Surprisingly, this approach is bringing huge advantages. It helps officers handle difficult situations better and leads to a more human and successful way of…

Copyright law is a key part of intellectual property rights. Its purpose is to protect the creators of original works, ensuring they get credit and can earn money from their creations. At the same time, it aims to promote the public’s access to new ideas and culture. In India, this is all governed by the Copyright Act, 1957. This law has been updated several times, with the most significant changes coming in 2012. These updates were necessary to deal with new challenges brought by the digital age, such as the rise of the internet, streaming services, and global trade. Historical…

Copyright Infringement — Readability-Enhanced (Content Unchanged) At its core, taking someone’s original creative work without permission is theft. This includes things like copying, sharing, showing, or displaying a piece without the owner’s clear “yes.” While many often see this act as only a money problem, the negative effects go much further than just money not earned. It seriously harms a creator’s way of making a living, damages their good name, and can even change the true meaning of their artistic message. For people who pour their heart and soul into creating – like musicians, authors, movie makers, or visual artists…

India’s Parliament has approved a significant new law, the Online Gaming Bill, 2025. Introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, this legislation aims to regulate the nation’s rapidly growing digital gaming industry. Its core provision is a total ban on all games played for real money, regardless of whether they are skill-based or chance-based. The law, however, supports e-sports and social games that do not involve monetary transactions. Objectives of the Law: The government enacted this law with three primary goals: User Protection: To protect vulnerable groups, especially young people, from the risks of addiction, financial loss, and…

Copyright vs Patent — An Overview In the broad field of protecting new ideas and creations, copyright and patents are two fundamental types of legal safeguards. They each serve different purposes, protect different kinds of original work or inventions, and are governed by their own specific laws. It is crucial to understand the clear distinctions between these two forms of legal protection, especially regarding what they cover (their scope) and how their rules can be broken (the nature of their violations). This knowledge is vital for creators, artists, legal professionals, and businesses active in India’s system for intellectual property. Scope…

Abstract: Copyright law seeks to balance two competing interests: the rights of creators to control and profit from their intellectual labour, and the public’s right to access, use, and build upon existing works. The doctrine of fair use in the United States, and its counterpart fair dealing in India, represent important legal mechanisms to achieve this balance. While the U.S. adopts a broad, flexible four-factor test, Indian law relies on an exhaustive statutory list of exceptions under Section 52 of the Copyright Act 1957. This article provides a comparative analysis of fair use and fair dealing, tracing their judicial evolution…

Digital Piracy means using or sharing digital content like movies, music, software, or books without permission from the person or company who owns it. It’s like taking someone’s creative work without asking and giving it away for free. In simple terms, digital piracy happens when people download, stream, copy, or share content without paying for it or getting the creator’s consent. Everyday Examples: Type of Content What Piracy Looks Like Real-Life Example Movies Watching or downloading from illegal websites Watching a new Bollywood release on a free site instead of going to the cinema or using a legal app Software…