Copyright Registration in India - Process, Documents and Fees

Updated on February 21, 2025 12:36:04 PM

Copyright registration is a legal process through which a creator seeks protection for his work as a literary, musical, art, or drama. According to the Indian Copyright Act of 1957, copyright enables the owners to possess full control over their work and does not allow people to copy, distribute, or reproduce it without permission. Although the law protects the work as soon as it is created, the application for copyright with the Copyright Office India offers formal registration and additional legal rights.

The copyright procedure requires filing Form XIV with a statement of particulars with the Register of Copyrights. The requirements include the type of copyright being asserted, the copyright notice, and any supporting documents. After the application and the prescribed fee are submitted, it goes through the process of copyright application for legal ownership as provided in the Copyright Act 1957.

A registered copyright gives automatic proof in court, which assists in enforcing copyright laws and protecting the rights of owners. As for legal remedies, the copyright holders can claim statutory damages in the case of an infringement. The permission accords with international laws such as the Berne Convention to grant recognition to copyrights.

Through Copyright Registration, one can obtain protection of their work with licensing and franchising rights, which are critical tools for earning an income from the copyright. Copyrights provide the long-term security of the creative property by limited use by other persons and protection of ownership interests. This guide explains the step-by-step procedure of how to get copyright in India.

Copyright Certificate Sample

What is Copyright?

Copyright can be defined as a set of legal rights given to persons who create and own literary, artistic, musical, or dramatic works. The copyright owner has all rights reserved to reproduce the work, distribute the work, adapt the work, broadcast the work, and perform the work in public. India has its own Registrar of Copyrights who is responsible for registration as well as protection. The period of protection of the copyright differs depending on certain criteria, such as the type of the work, but in general, it is the life of the author of the work plus sixty years. These details are usually stated in the copyright journal for public use. It also protects the rights of the creators in receiving royalties as well as stopping those who intend to use it without permission. Copyright laws cover books, films, music, software, and other related products that seek protection for intellectual property in the creation sector

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Types of Copyright

Copyright protection covers various types of creative works. The main types of copyrights include:

  1. Literary Works These include literature such as books, novels, poems, essays, and articles of literature that make contributions to the intellectual and cultural background.
  2. Musical Works Music relates to songs, tunes, and background compositions used for a piece of art.
  3. Artistic Works Artistic works include images, paintings, sketches, drawings, and sculptures created to exhibit an artistic mind.
  4. Cinematographic Films These categories include movies, short movies, documentaries, and animation movies as ideal tools for storytelling.
  5. Sound Recordings This includes musical recordings in song format, narration, sound books, and instrumental records of audio artwork.
  6. Dramatic Works Dramatic works are plays, scripts of films, and choreographed pieces of performance that recreate the stories in dramatic sequences.
  7. Broadcast and Performer’s Rights It covers television and radio broadcasts by providing protection and applying the principles of fair use.
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Benefits of Copyright Registration

Copyright registration simply provides the work with official documentation and grants the creators better legal defense and tools for reclaiming rights, such as:

  1. Legal Protection: The Copyrights Act provides an application for registration; the registration certificate gives the owner a public record to protect him against the infringers.
  2. Exclusive Rights: Registered copyrights give the owner the legal ownership of the work to reproduce, distribute, or modify the piece of work.
  3. Evidence of Ownership: It also plays the role of initial admissible evidence in the case where the creator involves himself or herself in a legal case.
  4. Public Notification: Registration informs the public of the copyright, hence preventing future infringement.
  5. Monetary Benefits: Contractors may license or sell a work, and they receive royalties or additional receipts as added products.
Benefits of Copyright Registration
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Process of Copyright Registration

The copyright registration process is systematic documentation of the legal processes, which is overseen by the copyright office. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the registration process:

Step 1: Access the Official Copyright Website

Step 2: Submit Application

  • Log in to your account.
  • Click on "Online Copyright Registration."
  • Complete the form, providing information about your work (title of work, type of work, etc.).
  • You will be asked to upload a scanned copy of your signature and any other necessary papers.

Step 3: Payment

  • Go to the online payment and process the required payment.

Step 4: Dairy Number Issuance

  • Upon submission of the online application, you shall be provided with a dairy number signifying the beginning of your application.
  • Wait for 30 days for any objections.

Step 5: Application Scrutiny

  • If there is no opposition, your application will be handed over to a scrutinizer.
  • If there are issues, then certain hearings will be held to sort it out.

Step 6: Obtain Copyright Registration Certificate

  • When your application is approved, a copyright certificate shall be issued to you.
  • The whole copyright process in general takes 2 to 3 months.
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Documents Required for Copyright Registration

To successfully apply for copyright registration, you need to gather and submit the following documents:

Documents Required for Copyright Registration
  • Copy of the Work (2 copies for unpublished, 3 copies for published)
  • Identity Proof (PAN card and Aadhaar card)
  • No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from:
    • Author (if applicable)
    • Publisher (if applicable)
    • Individuals appearing in the work (if applicable)
  • Power of Attorney (if applicable)
  • Details about the Work (title, language, year of publication, country of publication)
  • Contact Information (mobile number and email address)
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Eligiblity for Copyright Registration

Individuals and entities who create unique works in original form are eligible for copyright, which grants them exclusive rights to their creations.

  1. Authors and Creators
    • Writers, poets, novelists, and content creators
    • Artists, painters, and sculptors
    • Photographers and graphic designers
    • Musicians, composers, and lyricists
    • Filmmakers, directors, and scriptwriters
  2. Companies and Organizations
    • Businesses that create original content, software, or branding materials
    • Media houses, publishing companies, and production studios
    • Educational institutions for research papers, books, and learning materials
  3. Government Bodies
    • Government agencies for reports, official publications, and creative works
  4. Software Developers
    • Individuals or companies that create software, applications, and digital content
Eligiblity for Copyright Registration
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Fees for Copyright Registration

The Government registration fee for an application for of copyright filing in a Literary, Dramatic, Musical or Artistic work is INR 500/- per work. The table outlines the fee structure for various copyright registration applications and related services under the Copyright Act.

S. No. Type of Application Fee
1 (a) Application for copyright registration in a Literary, Dramatic, Musical, or Artistic work Rs. 500/- per work
1 (b) Application for copyright registration of a Literary or Artistic work related to goods or services (Section 45) Rs. 2,000/- per work
2 (a) Application for change in copyright particulars for a Literary, Dramatic, Musical, or Artistic work Rs. 200/- per work
2 (b) Application for change in copyright particulars of a Literary or Artistic work related to goods or services (Section 45) Rs. 1,000/- per work
3 Application for copyright registration of a Cinematograph Film (Section 45) Rs. 5,000/- per work
4 Application for change in copyright particulars of a Cinematograph Film (Section 45) Rs. 2,000/- per work
5 Application for copyright registration of Sound Recording (Section 45) Rs. 2,000/- per work
6 Application for change in copyright particulars of a Sound Recording (Section 45) Rs. 1,000/- per work
7 Application for extracts from indexes (Section 47) Rs. 500/- per work
8 Application for extracts from the Register of Copyrights (Section 47) Rs. 500/- per work
9 Application for a certified extract from the Register of Copyrights or indexes (Section 47) Rs. 500/- per copy
10 Application for a certified copy of a public document from the Copyright Office Rs. 500/- per copy
11 Application to prevent importation of infringing copies (Section 53) per entry point Rs. 1,200/- per work

Note:- Professional fees for the copyright registration is ₹2,000 only with Professional Utilities.

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Key Conditions for Copyright Eligibility

To protect the copyrights of your work there are some conditions under Indian Copyright law such as:

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Our service package for copyright registration inclusion

Here's a comprehensive look at our service package for copyright registration, designed to guide you through every step of the process with ease and efficiency.

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Conclusion

The Copyright Act 1957, requires the registration of originals, with authors, artists, and publishers having exclusive control over their works. It protects through offering legal protection, prevents piracy and it also offers the chance to make money through licensing. Copyright registration in India procedure includes filing of Form XIV along with supporting documents and fees with the Copyright Office. The copyright duration lasts for an entire life plus 60 years after death. Some of the advantages of using trademarks include legal protection, establishment of ownership, and public announcement. The documents that need to be prepared include identity proof, NOCs, and work copies. The process takes roughly 2-3 months depending on the works that are requested, and charges differ according to the type of work done. Get your copyright registration done effectively through Professional Utilities for ₹2,000 only.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I register a copyright in India?

To register a copyright in India, fill out Form XIV and enclose the required documents along with the prescribed fees to the Copyright Office. After inspection and approval, the registration certificate is issued.

What is the validity of copyright registration in India?

Copyright protection for literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works lasts for the entire life of the author and 60 years after the author’s death. Regarding works defined as anonymous, cinematographic, and posthumous, the duration differs according to provisions of the Copyright Act of 1957.

How much does it cost to copyright in India?

The registration fees begin at ₹500 for a work and may even vary according to the type of work being registered. Professional services for copyright registration fee with Professional Utilities cost ₹2,000.

What happens if copyright is not registered?

Without registration, proving ownership in legal disputes is difficult. Although copyright exists upon creation, registration provides stronger legal protection, enforcement rights, and monetary benefits through licensing.

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