IPRs in Space Activities & Satellite Remote Sensing

It's become more challenging to protect Intellectual Property Rights generated in space activities as it is governed by various international laws, customary laws and treaties etc. It is very much important to formulate a mechanism for the protection of the Intellectual Property rights in outer space activities. Today, the World is facing great challenge for protection of unenhanced or unprocessed satellite image because copyright protection is not available to this either in the Berne Convention or Universal Copyright Convention because unprocessed Data are directly received from satellite and there is no human creativity involved in unprocessed data. Satellite images or remote sensing data are required for development of all nations, whether they are developing or developed. Since India is one of such nations who is entering into commercialization of space services such as remote sensing, satellite lunching, etc. India needs to have adequate legal coverage in these areas. India needs copyright protection to protect not only satellite image but also raw or unprocessed data. There is immediate need for a suitable legislation in this area.