Who 'owns' Gandhi's thoughts? - Business Standard
· India · Business Standard
The legal ownership of Mahatma Gandhi’s writings and intellectual property remains a complex issue involving the Navajivan Trust and the public domain. While the Navajivan Trust in Ahmedabad holds the copyrights to his collected works, the legal status of his thoughts and speeches often faces challenges regarding copyright expiration and public access. Indian law generally grants copyright protection for 60 years after the author's death, which technically places much of Gandhi's work in the public domain. However, the Trust continues to manage and publish these works, asserting its role as the custodian of his legacy. The debate persists over whether a private entity can restrict the reproduction of historical documents that are considered part of India's national heritage.
Why it matters
The resolution of this issue dictates whether publishers, researchers, and the general public can freely access and distribute Gandhi's writings without seeking permission from the Navajivan Trust.
Read the original report — Business Standard
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