Alleged unauthorised publication of Late Odia writer Dhaneswar Samal’s works sparks copyright concerns

 

THEBUSINESSBYES BUREAU

CUTTACK, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026

A serious allegation of unauthorised publication and commercial exploitation of the literary works of late Odia children’s writer Dhaneswar Samal has raised questions over the protection of intellectual property and the rights of a deceased author’s legal heirs.

The book titled “Srestha Sisu Galpa” (Best Children’s Stories), attributed to Dhaneswar Samal, contains children’s stories that are alleged to have been taken from the late writer’s collection “Dhaneswar Samalanka Sisu Galpa Samagra” (Collected Children’s Stories of Dhaneswar Samal).

According to a complaint raised by one of the author’s legal heirs, the stories were allegedly compiled and published without formally contacting the writer’s heirs, obtaining written permission, or completing the necessary documentation relating to copyright ownership.

The book was reportedly being offered for sale through an e-commerce website. Following an inquiry by one of Samal’s legal heirs, the book was subsequently removed from the website. However, a screenshot of the webpage showing the listing had reportedly been preserved before its removal.

The allegation has triggered concern among those familiar with Odisha’s literary circles, particularly because the author is no longer alive and his literary rights and legacy are therefore represented by his legal heirs.

The issue also raises a broader question: Can the literary works of an author be reproduced, compiled and commercially sold without the knowledge or consent of the person or persons legally entitled to protect those works?

If the allegations are substantiated, such conduct could raise significant copyright and intellectual-property issues. Any unauthorised reproduction or commercial exploitation of copyrighted literary material should be examined under the applicable law, and responsibility should be determined through the appropriate legal process.

The incident has also prompted concerns that if the works of an established and respected deceased writer can allegedly be reproduced and commercially marketed without authorisation, the writings of other authors could potentially face similar misuse.

Literary works are intellectual property, not material to be appropriated for commercial gain without lawful authority. The protection of an author’s rights does not end with the author’s death; the legal rights associated with copyrighted works can continue to be exercised by the appropriate rights holders under the law.

The allegations therefore warrant serious scrutiny by the concerned copyright holders and, if necessary, the appropriate legal authorities.

At a time when unauthorised copying of literary works is increasingly being described as a growing problem, the controversy surrounding Srestha Sisu Galpa serves as a reminder that the literary legacy of an author deserves the same respect and legal protection as any other form of intellectual property.