Commercializing Copyright – A Taxing Event for the Copyright Owner?

With the ever-growing avenues to exploit copyrightable works, the copyright holders strive to exploit their copyright and copyrightable works through various modes to maximize the economic returns on their copyright and copyrightable works. Different methods of commercial exploitation of the copyright lead to taxable events both under direct taxes and indirect taxes. This paper attempts to broadly discuss the provisions relating to the taxation of income generated out of the exploitation of the economic rights of copyright holders/owners, including aspects of international taxation and GST, with the help of recent decisions. This paper, through its analysis, helps the readers to appreciate the balance achieved by the legislators in promoting the creation of intellectual works and revenue generation.