The passage of the law in the last Budget session has ensured that song writers, artistes and performers, deprived of their dues so far, can now claim royalty for their creations.
"Thank God, the shackles from the artistes feet have been removed... There is an inherent sigh of relief," said Rajya Sabha MP and famed lyricist Javed Akhtar.
The Copyright Act (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was passed amid rare show of unanimity in both the houses of Parliament with members from all parties supporting the measure for creative artistes whose benefits are "cornered" by producers.
During the passage of the Bill, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, who was present at today's function, had noted that the new law will help artistes lead a good life even in old age as they would continue to get their dues for their work.
Poor artistes had been left in the lurch as producers cornered all royalties, he had regretted.
"On behalf of the artistes of India, I want to tell the members of both the Houses that we will remember this always (the passage of the amended Bill)," Akhtar said at the programme aptly christened 'Shukrana'.
The music ensemble included Shiv Kumar Sharma, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Gulzar, Prasoon Joshi, the trio of Shanker, Ehsaan and Loy, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal Bharadwaj.
