Copyright in Choreography: Examining the Legal Landscape for Dance Moves in India

As we all know that copyright protection is given to all forms of dramatic works under Section 2(h) of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 and the dramatic works includes acting, choreography (dance moves), literary works, photography and other musical works, paintings, sculptures etc. This article focus on choreography that can be copyrighted so, that no other people can copy the original dance moves, even if the dance forms were available to the public, this does not mean that the choreographer cannot obtain copyright protection for their dance choreographies. It should be assumed that the creator protects everything that comes from his skill, talent, and intellect. This article will also highlight the drawbacks or the difficulties for choreographers to secure copyright for their creative dance sequences. One such is that copyright law itself restricts the media through which a less systematic dance form or flexible choreographic work can be fixed whereas, it is well settled that in order to be eligible for copyright protection, a choreographic work must be original and must be fixed in a tangible medium of expression.