Author implicates publication in plagiarism case
Satish Naik alleges that the publication copied parts from his book for theirs; the charges have been denied on all counts
Mumbai: Satish Naik, editor of a Marathi book on noted artist Vasudeo Gaitonde and of Chinha publications, has alleged that English book Vasudeo Santu Gaitonde: Sonata of Solitude violated Indian Copyright Act 1957 in a plagiarism case.
Naik had filed an FIR under Article 63 of the act on September 10 at Narpoli police station in Thane district, accusing project director of Bodhana Arts and Research Foundation Jesal Thacker, author Meera Menezes, trustee and co-publisher of the Raza Foundation Ashok Vajpeyi, editor Jerry Pinto, project editor Abhijeet Randive and Manoj Nair.
On January 30, this year, Naik published a Marathi book on Gaitonde. This was his first book on Gaitonde, written in any language and till date, the only Marathi book on the subject. Naik and his team had done extensive research over 16 years for the book.
In the FIR, Naik alleged that an exclusive photograph of Gaitonde which he had bought from photographer Werner Dornik has been used in Vasudeo Santu Gaitonde: Sonata of Solitude without Naik’s consent. Naik also alleged that three interviews he had taken with Manohar Mhatre, Sharad Palande and Prafulla Dahanukar were copied and used in the English one without his consent.
“In the end notes of the book, the dates of the interviews with the three haven’t been mentioned. This shows that the author never interviewed them and a look into my book will show how they are copies,” said Naik.
Jesal, in an email conversation in February with Naik said, “I assure you that we have acknowledged some of your writings as important precedents for our project in the credits section.” Naik, however, says that the Bodhana book has not credited the Chinha book anywhere.
When contacted by this paper, Jesal stated that the allegations were baseless and made ‘with mala-fide intent’. In the email exchange, she said, “We have been working on this project for five years now, details of which are mentioned in the introductions.”
She added that her lawyer had emailed all the necessary documents to the inspector investigating the case and they were fully cooperating with the case. She also explained that her lawyer would clarify the use of Werner Dornik’s photographs. “The Bodhana Arts and Research Foundation is a reputed organisation, which has been working in the research and publication of art for over 10 years and we have obtained all the necessary permissions,” she said.
Mumbai: Satish Naik, editor of a Marathi book on noted artist Vasudeo Gaitonde and of Chinha publications, has alleged that English book Vasudeo Santu Gaitonde: Sonata of Solitude violated Indian Copyright Act 1957 in a plagiarism case.
Naik had filed an FIR under Article 63 of the act on September 10 at Narpoli police station in Thane district, accusing project director of Bodhana Arts and Research Foundation Jesal Thacker, author Meera Menezes, trustee and co-publisher of the Raza Foundation Ashok Vajpeyi, editor Jerry Pinto, project editor Abhijeet Randive and Manoj Nair.
Satish Naik claimed that before publishing the book on Gaitonde in Marathi, he had submitted the concept to Manish Pushkale of Raza Foundation, requesting funding but the book was rejected by them. Naik told Mumbai Mirror that the ‘content of the detailed concept note such as pictures, etc., have been copied in the English book.’
On January 30, this year, Naik published a Marathi book on Gaitonde. This was his first book on Gaitonde, written in any language and till date, the only Marathi book on the subject. Naik and his team had done extensive research over 16 years for the book.
In the FIR, Naik alleged that an exclusive photograph of Gaitonde which he had bought from photographer Werner Dornik has been used in Vasudeo Santu Gaitonde: Sonata of Solitude without Naik’s consent. Naik also alleged that three interviews he had taken with Manohar Mhatre, Sharad Palande and Prafulla Dahanukar were copied and used in the English one without his consent.
“In the end notes of the book, the dates of the interviews with the three haven’t been mentioned. This shows that the author never interviewed them and a look into my book will show how they are copies,” said Naik.
Jesal, in an email conversation in February with Naik said, “I assure you that we have acknowledged some of your writings as important precedents for our project in the credits section.” Naik, however, says that the Bodhana book has not credited the Chinha book anywhere.
When contacted by this paper, Jesal stated that the allegations were baseless and made ‘with mala-fide intent’. In the email exchange, she said, “We have been working on this project for five years now, details of which are mentioned in the introductions.”
She added that her lawyer had emailed all the necessary documents to the inspector investigating the case and they were fully cooperating with the case. She also explained that her lawyer would clarify the use of Werner Dornik’s photographs. “The Bodhana Arts and Research Foundation is a reputed organisation, which has been working in the research and publication of art for over 10 years and we have obtained all the necessary permissions,” she said.
