New Delhi: Courts have an important role in protecting copyrights and in checking legality and constitutionality of executive action, Minister of State for Human Resource Development D Purandeshwari today said.

Speaking at a national judicial seminar on the "Role of Judiciary in Enforcement of the Copyright Law", she said, "At the lower levels of the judiciary, in particular, awareness building would lead to a more effective and timely execution of functions.

There are those who feel that we need to have special courts to handle issues related to copyrights and intellectual property rights.

"Infringements by illegal means and abuse of fair use require enforcement by the copyright authorities and intervention by the appropriate courts when the occasion so demands", she said.

Rule of law is "our strength when compared to so many other developing societies. It is this strength which ranks India so high in the comity of nations, makes our economy a highly desirable destination for investments, gives stability and continuity to our polity, provides strong foundation to our institutions of governance, and makes the state accountable."

"Enforcement of copyright law in our country will not be effective unless the state governments also co-opt in these efforts," she said. "We have managed to persuade almost all our states to establish special cells for enforcement of copyright law. A number of seminars and other events have also been organised to sensitise public opinion and also to familiarise all concerned about the need for effective enforcement," she said.

Source : PTI