Section 32B explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 32B says when a translation or reproduction licence granted by the Commercial Court ends early. If the owner (or someone the owner authorises) later brings out a comparable edition at a reasonable price, the licence is terminated, after three months' notice, and the licensee may sell off the copies already published. If you hold, or are thinking of applying for, a licence under section 32(1A) or 32A, this section sets the limit on how long it can last; our copyright assignment team can help you plan around it.
A licence granted under section 32(1A) (translation for teaching, scholarship or research) or under section 32A (reproduction) is terminated if the owner, or a person authorised by him, publishes or sells a version in the same language, substantially the same in content, at a price reasonably related to the price normally charged in India. Termination takes effect only after three months from service of a prescribed notice, and copies already produced may continue to be sold or distributed until exhausted.
What the 2021 Act does to section 32B
Section 32B was inserted in 1984 (footnote, Act 23 of 1983). The text of section 32B does not contain the words "Appellate Board", and section 32B is not in the list of sections the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 amends. It is therefore unchanged by that Act. It speaks only of the owner, the licence holder and the service of a notice; it does not say who decides disputes about termination.
Sub-section (1): licences under section 32(1A)
"If, at any time after the granting of a licence to produce and publish the translation of a work in any language under sub-section (1A) of section 32 (hereafter in this sub-section referred to as the licensed work), the owner of the copyright in the work or any person authorised by him publishes a translation of such work in the same language and which is substantially the same in content at a price reasonably related to the price normally charged in India for the translation of works of the same standard on the same or similar subject, the licence so granted shall be terminated".
| Element | Printed text |
|---|---|
| Which licences | Those granted under section 32(1A) (teaching, scholarship or research translations) |
| Trigger | The owner or an authorised person publishes a translation in the same language |
| Quality of the owner's translation | "substantially the same in content" |
| Price | "reasonably related to the price normally charged in India for the translation of works of the same standard on the same or similar subject" |
| Effect | "the licence so granted shall be terminated" |
First proviso. "No such termination shall take effect until after the expiry of a period of three months from the date of service of a notice in the prescribed manner on the person holding such licence by the owner of the right of translation intimating the publication of the translation as aforesaid."
Second proviso. "Copies of the licensed work produced and published by the person holding such licence before the termination of the licence takes effect may continue to be sold or distributed until the copies already produced and published are exhausted."
Sub-section (2): licences under section 32A
"If, at any time after the granting of a licence to produce and publish the reproduction or translation of any work under section 32A, the owner of the right of reproduction or any person authorised by him sells or distributes copies of such work or a translation thereof, as the case may be, in the same language and which is substantially the same in content at a price reasonably related to the price normally charged in India for works of the same standard on the same or similar subject, the licence so granted shall be terminated".
The two provisos mirror sub-section (1): termination takes effect only after three months from service of a notice in the prescribed manner by the owner of the right of reproduction, intimating the sale or distribution; and copies already reproduced by the licensee before termination takes effect may continue to be sold or distributed until exhausted.
Side-by-side
| Feature | 32B(1) | 32B(2) |
|---|---|---|
| Licence ended | Section 32(1A) translation licence | Section 32A reproduction (or translation) licence |
| Owner's act | Publishes a translation in the same language | Sells or distributes copies of the work or a translation in the same language |
| Test | Substantially the same content; price reasonably related to the Indian price for similar works | Same |
| Notice | Prescribed manner; by the owner of the right of translation | Prescribed manner; by the owner of the right of reproduction |
| Waiting period before termination takes effect | Three months from service | Three months from service |
| Sell-off | Copies already produced and published may be sold until exhausted | Copies already reproduced may be sold or distributed until exhausted |
A point to notice: the heading and the text
The heading reads "Termination of licences issued under this Chapter", but the sub-sections speak only of licences under section 32(1A) and section 32A. Licences under section 31, 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and section 32(1) are not mentioned in the text of 32B. The heading is wider than the operative text; the operative words control what the section does. We flag this as a drafting point.
Example. A university holds a section 32(1A) licence to publish a regional-language translation of a science textbook for teaching. Two years later the original publisher brings out its own translation in that language, with substantially the same content, priced in line with the Indian price for comparable works. The publisher serves a notice on the university in the prescribed manner. The licence is terminated only after three months from service. The university may keep selling or distributing the copies it had already produced and published, until they are exhausted, but cannot print more after termination takes effect.
Who is affected
- Owners can end a statutory licence by publishing or selling a comparable edition, and by serving the notice correctly.
- Licensees should keep track of the owner's publications and plan print runs, since stock produced before termination can be sold off.
- Institutions relying on a licensed edition should keep a stock record.
What section 32B does not say
- No definition of "substantially the same in content" or "reasonably related" is given.
- No form of notice is set out; it is "in the prescribed manner".
- No forum is named for a dispute on termination.
- No fee appears in the section.
- No effect on other licences: sections 31 to 31D are not mentioned.
Need help with a licence that may end?
Whether you are a licensee planning a print run or an owner thinking of publishing your own edition, the notice and the three-month period decide your options. Our copyright assignment team can review the position and prepare the notice or response.
Key takeaways
- Section 32B ends licences under section 32(1A) and section 32A when the owner or an authorised person publishes or sells a comparable edition in the same language.
- The owner's edition must be substantially the same in content and at a price reasonably related to the Indian price for similar works.
- Termination takes effect only after three months from service of a prescribed notice.
- The licensee may sell or distribute copies already produced until they are exhausted.
- Section 32B is not amended by the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021; it does not mention the Appellate Board.
Read next
- Section 32: licence to produce and publish translations
- Section 32A: licence to reproduce and publish works for certain purposes
- Section 33: registration of copyright society
Disclaimer: Based on the Copyright Act, 1957 as amended up to 2012, read with the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Acts of 2023 and 2026, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Forms, fees and procedure are set by the Copyright Rules, 2013 as amended from time to time. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.