Ahmedabad:
Peter Ruhe, a German collector of Gandhian items, has kicked off a storm in Gandhi's Gujarat.
He has a big collection of the Mahatma's pictures and memorabilia. Now he wants royalty from a veteran Gandhian who used some of those pictures in his book, the English version of Gandhi's biography -
My life is my message.As per Indian laws, copyright claims apply only till 60 years after the owner's death. So effectively the restrictions ended last year. But abroad, copyright acts are in place for 70 years.
"These pictures which are in public domain in India are not in public domain abroad particularly in countries who are members of Berne Convention. I just act as an agent for the copyright owners. I am not a dealer. I don't buy or sell items," says Peter Ruhe.
But Gandhians allege Ruhe deals in Gandhian items for commercial benefits. They question his stake over the ownership of these pictures alleging he got them.
"This is archive material, which is already in public domain. How can he claim stake over it's copyright? May be in other countries he can stake claim but for that he has to prove that he has acquired these items through some written agreement with those who have handed over them to him," says professor Sudarshan Ayengar, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapeeth.
In March this year, a US national James Otis had auctioned some Gandhian items that were bought by liquor baron Vijay Mallya. Otis had got those items from Ruhe.
Now Gandhians fear Ruhe's visit to Gujarat may be an attempt to collect Gandhian artefacts to auction them later.