Copyright of Masud Rana-Kuasha series to Abdul Hakim: HC

The High Court has dismissed a writ filed by Seba Prokashani’s owner Kazi Anwar Hossain challenging the Bangladesh Copyright Office's order granting copyright of 260 books of thriller series "Masud Rana" and 50 books of "Kuasha" series to their writer Sheikh Abdul Hakim.

A high court bench of justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and justice Md Iqbal pronounced the verdict on Monday.

Earlier on 14 July 2020, the copyright office issued an order granting the copyright of the books to Sheikh Abdul Hakim. Kazi Anwar Hossain filed a writ challenging the order.

The High Court stayed the effectiveness of the order for one month on 10 September last year.

The court had also issued a rule as to why the copyright office’s order on the books would not be declared illegal. The cultural affairs ministry secretary, registrar of the copyright office, among others, were ordered to answer the court.

Copyrights lawyer Md Iftabul Kamal told Prothom Alo that after the HC verdict on Monday, the copyright office’s order that granted the copyright of Masud Rana and Kuasha series books to their ghostwriter Sheikh Abdul Hakim would be upheld.

Lawyers Murad Reza and Hamidul Misbah stood for petitioner while Khurshid Alam Khan and Iftabul Kamal represented cultural affairs secretary and registrar of copyrights.

Hamidul Misbah told Prothom Alo that they would file an appeal against the HC order.

Hakim filed a complaint at the Bangladesh Copyright Office against Kazi Anwar for violating the Copyright Act on 29 July 2018.

The writer died on 28 August this year.