Click to play videoNew Delhi: All the magic in the world can’t stop something that’s eating away at the publishing industry in India- piracy.
In a single raid as many as 8,500 copies of the sixth Harry Potter book were seized two years ago in the capital.
So this time round, ahead of the release of the big one, the final Harry Potter title - Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, publishers Bloomsbury and Penguin India are taking no chances.
Says CEO and President, Penguin Books India, Thomas Abraham, “Last time around dubious record that the book was pirated in 36 hours flat and it will inevitably happen again. Theoretically it is not our job, but Bloomsbury and us have got tag and retained a legal firm aca-law who has this fleet of investigators all over the country. There is a hotline here.”
British and American publishers and their Indian companies have been tackling piracy in India since 2001.And while Harry Potter spawns illegal copies across the board, most of the best sellers are fair game for piracy, Bangalore and Mumbai are particularly active.
“Piracy is a huge problem. In January 2001, we seized 20,000 pirated copies in Mumbai main DN road. In July 2001, 26,500 copies in Delhi. In March 2003, 70,000 copies in Delhi. In august 2003, 75,000 copies in Dharavi, Mumbai. In July 2004, 50,000 pirated copies. In June 2006, 10000 pirated copies in Pune, 17,000 copies in BLR – four raids in one year- 0,000, 5,000, 14, 000 17,000, huge industry, organised warehouse where these are kept,” says head, Aca-law, Akash Chittranshi.
Piracy in publishing is a big money issue now. Some estimate that annual losses due to piracy are as high as thirty five per cent of this 7,000 crore industry in India alone which is more than 2,500 crore rupees.
Says Chittranshi, “You can make a Sidney Sheldon for 20 rupees. You can sell it for Rs 50, 90, and 100. The genuine one is for Rs 195/- 27.27 or you can get at the same prices and even sell for Rs 150- omething you're manufacturing for 20, and selling for 195, which publisher can compete.”
But while no one wants to admit to it, cheap books are always a big draw.
So who can resist a good deal now?
Since in this, case the magic number is Rs 975. Will the consumers be willing to shell out that much for the latest Harry Potter title in hardback, or prefer to go for a huge, if illegal, discount.
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