Pirates and prices, a pressing problem

World Book and Copyright Day is being celebrated on 23 April to give due importance to books. It is United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) aim to promote reading and copyright laws. But in the Indian context, it seems withering, with the 'pirates' unscrupulously invading the industry by 'dumping' pirated books and siphoning off revenues meant for the original publishers.
In connection with the World Book Day, News Today spoke to Gandhi Kannadasan, president of the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI), on various issues related to books and importance of copyright for writers and publishers.
Kannadasan said, 'First of all, for bookworms and any serious readers, every day is Book Day. Books are as good as our father's and mother's, who nurture good values in us with their guidance so also, books which nourish us with good thoughts'.
Seeking celebrations for the day, Kannadasan says, 'For many readers, the day is meant for gifting books to their friends and relatives. The day also helps them to instil the habit of book reading'. On pirated books, he said, 'To my knowledge, publishers' mentality is contributing to it. For example, if you take any English books, its prices range anywhere between Rs 400 and Rs 500. For a bookworm, it's a huge amount.
And, that price range is out of range for many serious readers, apart from higher middle class. So, 'thirsty readers' never feel guilty in buying the same (pirated) book available on pavements and with other book stalls, as they are priced well below than the original cost'.
So, what is the solution for piracy? A bookseller at Anna Salai said, 'It can be tackled by reducing hefty price tag into a reach of a common reader. By doing this, many, who are not habitual readers, can become serious readers'.
'We do not have any pirated books in Tamil or any other regional languages, because, its prices are market driven and well in the reach of its readers,' said another bookseller at Triplicane.
Falling back wholly on writers of yore April 23 is a symbolic date for world literature for on this date in 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, Haldor K Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Joseph Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. It was a natural choice for UNESCO's General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity. By celebrating this day throughout the world, UNESCO seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.