What is Copyright Registration in India?

Copyright is a legal term that refers to the exclusive rights granted to the creator or owner of an original work. It is a form of intellectual property protection that grants the creator the exclusive right to distribute, display, perform, and modify their work.

Why do we need copyright registration in India?

Copyright Registration in India is essential in several aspects such as: legal protection, exclusive rights, infringement lawsuits, public notice and enhanced marketibility etc.

What is the cost of Copyright Registration in India?

The cost of Copyright Registration in India varies from ₹500 to ₹40,000 depending on the nature of the work and creation.

What documents are required for the Copyright Registration in India?

Two copies of work, Demand Drafts, NOC, PoA and identity proofs are the common documents that are required for Copyright Registration in India. The documents can differ on the basis of the nature of creation or work.

Who is eligible for the Copyright Registration in India?

An author, original owner or authorised agent everyone is eligible for the Copyright Registration in India.

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Copyright Registration in India - Secure Your Work

Updated on February 01, 2025 09:22:39 AM

Copyright registration is often confused with terms like Trademark and patent. A trademark registration protects brand names, logos, and symbols while the patent is for inventions or new technological processes. Copyright protects original works of authorship including books, music, art, and software. Registering your copyright under the Copyright Act 1957 provides you with assurance that nobody can misuse what belongs to you. It gives you the power to protect, control, and profit from your creations while keeping unwanted hands away.

In this article, you will get to know the essential documents you must have when you are trying to get a copyright and the procedure involved in copyright registration. It is a complicated process, but at Litem Legalis we make it easy for individuals and businesses to register their copyright and protect their intellectual property. Before we delve into the process of copyright registration, let's briefly examine what is copyright and then discuss why registration of copyright is important.

Documents Required for Copyright Registration
Copyright Registration Process
Copyright Symbol Explanation
Legal Rights Afforded to a Copyright Owner
Why Choose Litem for Copyright Registration?
Timeline for Copyright Registration
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Copyright?

Copyright is a legal right given to the creator of their intellectual property. It has application in relation to an original work of authorship. The rights ensure the creator or any other authorized person can reproduce, distribute, and even display the work. Copyright grants that the creator has an exclusive privilege to use or license his or her work for a given period—it is 60 years in India. Upon the expiry of this term, the work would fall into the public domain. The primary objective of this law is to protect the effort of the creator so that others could not just freely copy or make a profit of it unless they had the creator's permission. It is important to protect the value of the creator’s intellectual labor.

Why You Should Register Your Copyright?

If you want to take steps to stop other people from stealing or misusing your creative work, then registering your copyright would be the best way. Copyright registration is the legal proof of ownership for a particular piece of work and provides you with exclusive rights to control, copy, and distribute your work. That means you decide how your creation is used, and in the event of copyright infringement, you are able to take action through the courts.

To make the process more systematic, the Registrar of Copyrights divides creative works into six different categories. By registering your work in the appropriate category, you get the work to be appropriately protected under the copyright laws. Here are the six categories:

Literary Works (other than Computer Programs)
Musical Works
Artistic Works
Cinematography Movies
Sound Recordings
Computer Programs, Tables & Compilations

What are the Benefits of Copyright Registration in India?

If you are unsure about registering your copyright, you are not alone. Most creators have second thoughts because they do not understand the benefits of copyright registration. Without registration, you stand at the risk of losing control over your work and letting others exploit it. In this section, we will outline the critical benefits of registration and address the concerns holding you back.

Legal Proof of Ownership: A registered copyright serves as official proof that you are the rightful owner of your work, making it easier to enforce your rights in case of infringement.
Exclusive Rights: This essentially gives you the rights of distribution and modification to the work, in addition to who profits from the works.
Enforcement of Rights: In case of infringement, a registered copyright strengthens your position in court and generally makes it easier to defend your rights and claim damages.
Financial Protection: By protecting your work, you can profit from licensing or selling your creations without the fear of unauthorized use.
Building Goodwill: Branding is important for growth, and copyright registration helps by creating goodwill among customers and showing them your work is of high quality. It gives the impression that your work is unique and creative, building trust and credibility.

List of Documents Required For Copyright Registration In India

To register your Copyright successfully in India, specific documents are required based on the type of work. Below is a categorized overview for easy reference

Type of Work	Documents Required
Artistic Work	Two copies of the work. Fee payment via DD/IPO. NOC from the author (if the applicant isn't the author). NOC from the publisher (if applicable). Search Certificate (TM-60) from TMC (if the work is used on goods). NOC from the person (if portrait). Power of Attorney (if applicable).
Cinematograph Film	Two copies of the film. Fee payment via DD/IPO. NOCs from copyright holders or a copy of the agreement. Power of Attorney (if applicable).
Musical Work	Two copies of graphical notes. Fee payment via DD/IPO. NOC from the author and publisher (if they aren’t the applicant). Power of Attorney (if applicable).
Literary and Dramatic Work	Two copies of the work. Fee payment via DD/IPO. NOC from the author and publisher. Original, signed Power of Attorney.
Sound Recording	Two copies of the recording. Fee payment via DD/IPO. NOCs from copyright holders or a copy of the agreement (deed of assignment). NOC from the publisher (if applicable). Power of Attorney.
Software	Two copies of the software. Fee payment via DD/IPO or e-filing. NOC from the author (if different from the applicant). NOC from the publisher. Power of Attorney. Source code and object code for verification.

Copyright Registration Fees in India

The cost of copyright registration varies based on the type of work. Below is a breakdown of the fees applicable:

Type of Work	Fee (INR)
Literary, Dramatic, Musical, Artistic Works	₹500 per work
Cinematograph Films	₹5,000 per work
Sound Recordings	₹2,000 per work
Software (Computer Programs)	₹5,000 per work
Copyright Assignment	₹5,000 per work
Copyright License	₹2,000 per work

Procedure of Copyright Registration under Copyright Act

The process of applying for copyright registration in India is governed by Section 45 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, read with Rule 70 of the Copyright Rules, 2013. Creators or rights holders can apply either through the online e-filing portal or by physically submitting their application at the Copyright Office. Here is a step-by-step procedure of copyright registration application.

Step 1: Prepare and Submit the Application

Draft an application in Form XIV, providing all necessary details and a statement of particulars about your work. Ensure that you submit separate applications for each work.

The application must be signed by both the applicant and an advocate, who must hold a Vakalatnama or Power of Attorney (POA).

Submit the application along with the required fees, which vary depending on the type of work. Fee details are available on the Govt Fee Details

Step 2: Receive Diary Number and Waiting Period

Upon submission, the Registrar will assign a Diary Number, marking the commencement of the process. There is a mandatory 30-day waiting period during which objections can be raised against your application.

Step 3: Examination and Objections Handling

If no objections are received within the 30-day window, the scrutinizer examines the application for discrepancies. If all criteria are met, the application moves forward.

If objections are raised, both the applicant and the objector are notified, and a hearing is scheduled to resolve the issues.

Step 4: Scrutiny After Hearing and Application Approval

After the hearing (if required), the scrutinizer re-examines the application, considering any resolved objections. If the application is found to be satisfactory, it proceeds to the next stage.

Step 5: Issuance of Copyright Registration Certificate

Once the application is approved and all required fees are paid, the Registrar issues the Copyright Registration Certificate, officially granting copyright ownership. The process typically takes around 2 to 3 months, depending on whether objections are raised.

Copyright Symbol - Meaning and Use

Securing copyright registration in India provides creators with essential legal protection and enables them to use the copyright symbol (©). This symbol serves as a public declaration, notifying others that the work is protected under copyright law. It plays a critical role in deterring unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or misuse of intellectual property.

By displaying the © symbol, creators align their works with international agreements such as the Berne Convention, which emphasizes the importance of copyright notices even though registration isn’t always required for protection.

Understanding Copyright Ownership Rights in India

In India, copyright ownership is granted various rights that allow creators to control, secure and commercialize their intellectual property efficiently. This includes:

Claim of Authorship: Copyright owners can claim their authorship as the author of the work. This moral right guarantees the authenticity of the work against unauthorized modifications. For instance, an author may seek recognition for their work for use in research conducted by academics.

Reproduction and Storage: Owners have the sole right to reproduce their work on any medium including digital formats. This assures that creators keep control over how and where their work is being disseminated, whether on paper, on a website, or as digital media.

Publication Control: Copyright owners control the timing of publication, the location, and the method of publication. They can also decide to withhold publication completely. For instance photographers can decide the release of a particular image to a particular publication.

Public Display and Communication: Creators are entitled their work to the public or share it across various communication platforms, or permit adaptations like translations. In the case of a film, the filmmaker may be apprehensive about the translation of their film into a different language.

Reputation Protection: If a copyrighted work is used in a way that harms the creator's reputation--such as a defamatory adaptation--copyright law provides remedies like injunctions and compensation. In the case of an artist, for instance, they may contest the use of their work in a controversial ad.

Licensing or Transfer: Owners are able to grant or transfer rights to third party in exchange for agreed-upon uses. For instance an artist can license their music to streaming platforms for commercial use, but retain the rights to ownership.

Why Choose Litem for Copyright Registration?

Copyright Registration in India is a crucial tool for securing a creator’s creations. There are many chances to face rejection, therefore the applicant must have correct guidance through which the Registration can be done easily. Here the Litem Legalis can be your best choice as an attorney.

Litem Legalis is a team of professional lawyers with years of experience who believe to provide the best service to the customers. If you are also looking to register a Copyright, connect with us for hassle-free and easy Registration.

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What is Timeline for Copyright Processing in India?

The timeline for copyright registration involves four key steps, each with an estimated duration, from application submission to certificate issuance. Here's a quick visual breakdown

Step	Estimated Timeframe
Application Submission	1 Day
Examination of Application	2-4 Weeks
Objection Resolution	1-3 Months (if needed)
Certificate Issuance	4-10 Months

Conclusion

Copyright Registration in India is a Lawful process that aids to prevent the legal authority of a creator. Through Copyright Registration in India, the creator can enjoy several benefits such as legal protection, public notice, infringement lawsuits and many more. However, the applicant must be very careful regarding the registration process. There are mainly four steps of Copyright Registration in India including filing the application, objection process, examination and registration. During this process, there are many stages where the applicant may face rejection.

Therefore the applicant must file the appropriate documents and information during the Copyright application filing. The applicant must also consult with the professional, so they can decrease the chances of objection and rejection.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I apply for copyright registration?

The copyright registration process involves filing an application while paying the necessary fees and submitting all appropriate documents.

How long does it take to get a copyright certificate?

The duration of obtaining a copyright certificate usually ranges between 8 and 12 months when applications face no objections or errors.

Can I transfer my copyright to someone else?

Yes, you can transfer your copyright through written assignment or license agreements which should then be filed with the Copyright Office for registration.

What happens if someone copies my copyrighted work?

When someone replicates your work without authorization then You have the ability to sue people who unlawfully use your copyrighted material.

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