What's New

Comments & Summaries
August 18, 2021

Summary: ‘The Bewildering Predicament Of Voice Actors In India: A Performer’s Right Tragedy’ By Rohan Cherian Thomas

Author: Intern - Prachi Sehgal

The Bewildering Predicament of Voice Actors in India: A Performer’s Right Tragedy is a paper published in 2021 [Rohan Cherian Thomas, ‘The Bewildering Predicament of Voice Actors in India: A Performer’s Right Tragedy’. Indian Journal of Intellectual Property Law (2020. The paper aims to discern the issues faced by voice actors. Through detailed interviews from some voice actors, the paper seeks to analyse the recorded interviews through the lens of The Copyright Act, 1957 and The Copyright Rules, 2013. The paper also attempts possible solutions.

The perception of the audience can be affected if a dub is not done properly or if the sound does not sync with what they see on the screen and this issue is called a ‘lip flap’ in the industry. A bad dub can ruin even the greatest content. The public eye is focused on an actor and these skilled individuals do not get the recognition they deserve and are often underpaid. To remedy this, the paper suggests that the voice actor should enjoy the same rights as a performer actor.

The paper draws attention to the unrecognized existence of the voice actors. By voice actors it means both dubbing artistes as well as voice-over artistes. The power balance in the industry works against voice actors, criticism can be met with reprisal. After all, artists have to find work within the industry. This is the reason why many voice actors refused to be interviewed. The paper highlights the efforts and skill of the dubbing artiste and finds that some actors acclaimed for their roles choose, unfortunately, to discredit the dubbing artiste.

The paper examines the efficacy of the laws protecting the rights of these dubbing artiste. The paper highlights The Copyright Act, 1957 and The Copyright Rules, 2013. It suggests to insert the term ‘Voice Actor’ in section 2(qq) of the act and also to insert ‘Originality’ in section 38 of the act. Further, it advises the formation of a performer’s society Dedicated to Voice Actors and to insert mandatory licensing through performer’s society in accordance with the existing Act. 

The paper concludes that associations of voice actors across the country have to educate their community. A voice actor should realise the benefit of being a part of a society and contributing to the industry with skill and effort. The paper recommends that in the meantime the industry comes up with a scheme to benefit the performer’s rights granted under the Copyright statutes. 

The paper can be accessed here –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rEptn_8ljJ4WM2PPNeClSyi6GfEiF1mJ/view]

Disclaimer: Views, opinions, interpretations are solely those of the author, not of the firm (ALG India Law Offices LLP) nor reflective thereof. Author submissions are not checked for plagiarism or any other aspect before being posted.

Copyright: ALG India Law Offices LLP

  • Non Solicitation
  • Data Privacy & Protection
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Data & Document Retention Practice
  • Firm Management Policy
  • Liability
  • Disclaimer
  • Privilege
  • Copyright
  • Billing Policy
  • Pro Bono