The reference value source material on Wikimedia projects make the free knowledge reliable and verifiable. Due to lack of accurate and systematic data about the copyright free books as per the Indian law, there are challenges in digitisation and uploading them on Wikimedia projects. Lot of valuable books are also out of print for more than 20 years and not easily available in libraries too. In this situation, there is a need to adopt multi-pronged approach for relicensing of the books as well as structured digitisation of this content to make it freely accessible and searchable. There is a need to spread awareness about the simple process available on Wikimedia Commons to release and upload the copyrighted works. Developing the database of Public Domain works in every language, identifying the sources and then setting up decentralised digitisation centres could be a strategy to overcome the challenges. In this process, we need to build partnerships with various organisations and individuals. As a representative, I will share the efforts by CIS-A2K in this direction during the last 4-5 years. CIS-A2K started the content re-licensing movement in a systematic way from 2017 in Maharashtra, and now the interest and work has spread to other states of India. Till now, we have facilitated re-licensing of more than 500 books in Marathi, Hindi, Konkani and English languages. We have supported organisations like Vigyan Ashram, Lek Ladki Abhiyan and Pune Nagar Vachan Mandir for the digitisation of more than 1200 books which have been uploaded on Wikimedia projects. The presentation would be followed by discussion on the process and the challenges.
The session involves sharing of best practices, collaboration processes and exploring the future networking opportunities with various language communities in India. The session will also focus on evolving a collective approach deal with the common problems and developing strategy leading towards the solutions.
The participants would learn about the approaches and methodologies to be adopted for getting the content relicensed, digitising the content and uploading process on Wikimedia projects as per the guidelines. The Wikimedians would be able to visualise and connect with the similar situations they have experienced and come out with probable solutions through the discussions. There will be mutual learning during these interactions. The future projects could be evolved with communities and partners in respective states. The follow-up programme may be developed for achieving this.
