Your original work is automatically protected by copyright as soon as it is created and fixed in some tangible medium of expression. However, even then, it is a good idea to register your copyright as an added layer of protection. It creates a public record of your ownership, strengthens your legal position and makes it much easier to prove your rights in case someone copies/misuses your work without permission.
If you have written a book, developed software, composed music, created artwork or made any other original creation, you should consider applying for and securing Copyright Registration. Get Copyright Registration Online with expert assistance from Registrationwala.
Satisfied Clients
Services
Years Combined Experience
Get free consultation
Connect with our expert directly on WhatsApp
Copyright Registration Process
Copyright is a type of intellectual property right that protects original works of authorship. It includes literature, art, music, drama and a host of other creative forms. Books, poems, articles and computer programs are some types of literary works. Works of art and music include paintings, songs, photographs, films and similar creations. Plays, scripts and choreography are works of drama.
Copyright law gives protection to authors, composers, artists, painters, software developers and other creators. It grants them exclusive rights so as to use, reproduce, distribute, publish and benefit from their original creations. Copyright protection is automatically granted when an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form.
However, Copyright Registration tends to take this protection one step further. It does so by providing official evidence of ownership as well as strengthening legal position in case of disputes and infringement cases.
Copyright Registration simply refers to process of officially registering your original work with Copyright Office. It is actually a voluntary process because copyright protection is granted automatically when an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form. You may wonder if copyright is automatic, then why should anyone spend their money on Copyright Registration? Well, the answer to this is quite simple. Registration of copyright tends to take your protection one step further. It creates an official public record of your ownership, provides stronger legal evidence in case of disputes, puts others on formal notice of your claim and makes it a lot easier to enforce your rights in court.
Let's understand this with help of an example. Suppose you compose a tune and share it with a friend to get their feedback. Instead, they copy the tune, release it before you do and claim that they created it, not you. If you have already obtained Copyright Registration for the tune, proving your ownership and enforcing your rights in court becomes much easier.
Without Copyright Registration, you may still be owner of copyright but proving yourself as original creator may become much more difficult and therefore the legal process will be longer and more complicated. For reliable Copyright Registration services with IPR experts, contact Registrationwala.
Whether it is a song, software, book, painting, photograph, cinematographic film or any other original creative work, our experts can guide you through registration process and help you obtain Copyright Registration Certificate with ease.
The table below provides copyright registration online in India:-
|
Parameter |
Key Details |
|
Governing Authority |
Copyright Office of India under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India |
|
Governing Law |
The Copyright Act 1957 & Copyright Rules 2013 |
|
Minimum Filing Fee (Rs.) |
Rs. 500 for Literary/Artistic/Musical work |
|
Protection Term |
Lifetime of Author + 60 Years For Literary/Artistic work |
|
Mandatory Wait Period |
30 Days for third-party objections post Diary Number |
The benefits of copyright online registration are listed below:-
One of the main advantages of registering your copyright is that it establishes an official public record of your ownership.
Having a registered copyright offers copyright infringement protection to a great extent.
It gives you more legal proof of your copyright if there’s ever a dispute. So, if someone copies, reproduces, or misuses your work without permission, registration makes it a lot easier for you to enforce your rights.
In certain cases, a Copyright Registration Certificate can make it easier to pursue legal action as it serves as prima facie evidence of ownership.
The copyright protection may extend for 60 years after the death of the author or for 60 years from publication, depending on the type of work as provided under the Copyright Act, 1957.
The official copyright registration fee structure is given below:-
|
Category of Work |
Official Govt Fee (Form XIV) |
|
Literary, Dramatic, Musical or Artistic Work |
Rs. 500 per work |
|
Artistic Work used for Goods/Services (Logo/Label u/s 45) |
Rs. 2,000 per work |
|
Software/Computer Program/App Source Code |
Rs. 2,000 per work |
|
Sound Recording |
Rs. 2,000 per work |
|
Cinematograph Film |
Rs. 5,000 per work |
Before applying for Copyright Registration in India, you should ensure that you meet eligibility requirements. Below, we have mentioned the persons who are eligible to file a copyright application:-
The author/creator of original work.
The employer, if work was created by an employee during course of employment (commonly known as a "work made for hire").
The copyright owner/claimant who holds legal rights to use/control/publish/distribute the work.
An authorized agent acting on behalf of author/copyright owner/claimant.
In addition to above, the work must be original in nature and eligible for copyright protection under Copyright Act, 1957. It is important to keep in mind that copyright protects only original expressions of ideas. It does not protect content that is copied/plagiarized.
The documents required for Copyright Registration vary depending on type of creative work being registered. Below are the document requirements for different categories of works:-
The following documents are required for filing an application for copyright registration for music:-
2 Copies of work (Graphical Notes)
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
If work published and publisher is different from applicant, NOC from publisher.
If applicant is other than author, NOC from author.
If the application is being filed through attorney, a specific Power of Attorney in original duly signed by applicant and accepted by attorney
While filing a copyright application for artistic work, the following documents are necessary:-
2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
If applicant is different from author, NOC from author is necessary.
NOC from publisher if work published and publisher is different from applicant. Search Certificate from Trade Mark Office (TM -60) if the work is being used on goods or capable of being used on the goods.
NOC from person whose photograph appears on work.
If the application is being filed via attorney, a specific Power of Attorney in original duly signed by the applicant and accepted by the attorney
To secure copyright online registration for sound recording, you need to provide the following documents along with your copyright application:-
2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
NOC from various copyright holders/copy of agreement (deed of assignment).
NOC from publisher if work published and publisher is different from applicant.
If application is being filed via attorney, a specific Power of Attorney in original duly signed by applicant and accepted by attorney
If you want to secure copyright for cinematograph film, you need to provide the following documents while filing the copyright application:-
2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
NOC from various copyright holders or copy of agreement (deed of assignment).
NOC from publisher if work published and publisher is different from applicant.
If the application is being filed via attorney, a specific Power of Attorney in original duly signed by applicant and accepted by attorney
If you want to secure copyright registration for software, you need to provide the following documents while filing your copyright application:-
2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
If author is different from applicant, NOC from author is necessary.
If work is published and publisher is different from applicant, NOC from publisher.
If the application is being filed through attorney, a specific Power of Attorney in original signed by applicant and accepted by attorney
Source code and object code of work for verification.
The copyright registration procedure requires completion of the following steps:-
Gather the information and documents that you need so as to identify your original work. The information and documents attached may differ depending on type of work to be registered.
The copyright application in prescribed format and applicable government fee is filed to Copyright Office.
After application is filed and a Diary Number is issued, a mandatory 30 day waiting period begins, i.e., from date of issuance of Diary Number. During this period, any person may file an objection against application if they believe copyright should not be registered for any reason.
If no objection is received or once any objection is resolved, the Copyright Office examines application. If required, the applicant may be asked to provide clarifications/corrections.
Upon approval of application, the Copyright Office registers work and issues Copyright Registration Certificate as official proof of registration.
Want to register your copyright in India? Registrationwala makes the entire process simple with complete support from start to finish. Our experts help you at every step of the process by:-
Understanding your requirements and collecting required information/documents.
Preparing as well as drafting your Copyright Registration application.
Reviewing application and making corrections, if required.
Filing application with Copyright Office and providing support during entire copyright registration procedure.
At Registrationwala, we provide complete online Copyright Registration services for books, songs, software, paintings, photographs, films and other original works. Get in touch with our experts today so you can protect your creative work with ease!
Copyright registration in India is administered by Copyright Office under Government of India.
You can apply for it by filing the prescribed application online via Copyright Office portal along with required documents as well as government fee.
Copyright in India is governed by the Copyright Act 1957 along with the Copyright Rules 2013.
The government fee varies depending on type of work for which copyright registration is sought. To know the exact fee for your work, you can get in touch with Registrationwala’s IPR experts!
Copyright protection generally tends to last for the lifetime of author plus 60 years, subject to type of work.
Transform your Business.
