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ARTICLE · 09 OCTOBER 2020

Copyright In Chants And Mantras – Are These Exclusive?

S.S. Rana & Co.
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As recently as September 2020, few Twitter statuses shared by Swami Vaishampayan was in the limelight when Swamiji's post about his experience of chanting Ganesh Atharvashirsha was confronted on the ground that ...

IndiaIntellectual Property
Vikrant Rana
Vikrant Rana
Meril Mathew Joy
Meril Mathew Joy
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As recently as September 2020, few Twitter statuses shared by Swami Vaishampayan was in the limelight when Swamiji's post about his experience of chanting Ganesh Atharvashirsha was confronted on the ground that the Ganesha Atharvashirsha has been copyrighted by T-series and Royalty Network (an American Company). This whole incident has raised a debatable issue, i.e."Why should copyrights claims be entertained when it comes to the greatest treasure of Vedic wisdom passed on since centuries through Shrutis and Smritis in Gurukuls all over India?"

Pursuant to the aforesaid outcry, Swamiji raised a Public Grievance vide registration number PMOPG/E/2020/0759421 dated August 20, 2020 with the Prime Minister Office (Government of India), to which a reply dated September 08, 2020 was issued by Copyright Office confirming the following points1:

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