In 2024-25, over 44,000 applications for copyright registration were filed in India. Copyright registration is the formal process by which the creator of an original work has exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display their creation. The Copyright Act of 1957 governs the law pertaining to copyright in India. The Copyright Office, which functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is responsible for managing copyright applications and registrations.
The Copyright Act of 1957 protects three kinds of creator rights, namely moral rights, economic rights, and neighbouring rights.
Though copyright registration is not mandatory in India, the registration certificate serves as prima facie evidence of ownership in court, and copyright generally lasts for at least 60 years. The process of copyright registration includes steps like preparing the application along with fees and awaiting approval of your application. Copyright protection covers a wide range of works, including written texts, sound recordings, visual art, computer programs, and compilations.
As per the Copyright Act, 1957, there are six (6) categories in which you can get copyright registration:
The Copyright Board, earlier set up under Section 11 of the Copyright Act, 1957, was merged with the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) in 2017, and the IPAB was abolished in 2021. Its work, such as disputes on assignment of copyright, compulsory and statutory licences, and appeals against orders of the Registrar of Copyrights, is now handled by the Commercial Courts and High Courts.
Copyright infringement includes scenarios when a third person uses, reproduces, or distributes copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright owner. It includes unauthorized copying, plagiarism, piracy, online sharing without permission, commercial use without permission, rebroadcasting, public display, Unfair use in education, etc.
Copyright registration offers several benefits to the owner, and some of the benefits are listed below:
The following can apply for copyright registration in India:
For Copyright Registration, the work must meet the eligibility criteria as described under:
The work must be original and fixed in a tangible medium. It can be reproduced in a written document, digital file, or recorded in audio or video form. It is pertinent to note that ideas, works, and creations not reproduced in a tangible form are not protected under the Copyright Act, 1957.
The following documents are typically required for copyright registration in India:
Note: It is advisable to follow the Document Upload Manual, which is available on the Copyrights Office website.
The copyright registration process involves several steps as follows:
If you are not an existing user or do not have an account with the Copyright Office, the first step is to register on the website. For registration, you need to provide some general details like name, address, nationality, email ID, and phone number, and then you will be required to provide your User ID and Password.
After registration, the second step is to fill out Form XIV, which requires details about the work, its creator, and the applicant. In the six pager form, you will be required to answer some questions Along with this form, you need to submit two copies of the work and the necessary supporting documents as mentioned above. Once the form is completed, you need to submit it to the Copyright Office.
It is advisable to seek help from a professional who can help you fill out the form accurately.
After filing the details, pay the fees along with the application. The fee structure depends on the type of work, and it is mentioned below for your reference:
The fee shall be submitted online to the Registrar of Copyrights, New Delhi, by postal order, demand draft, or online payment.
Once you submit the application on the portal, the Copyright Office will review it to verify that all requirements are met. The Office will check the originality of the work to ensure that the applicant has the legal right to apply and confirm that all necessary documentation has been provided.
If the Copyright Office passes the application and all requirements are met, the Copyright Office will issue a Registration Certificate. The Registration Certificate is a proof of ownership and grants the creator exclusive rights over their work.
Copyright protection lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 60 years after their death. In the case of cinematographic films, sound recordings, etc., the copyright lasts for 60 years from the year of publication.
There is no requirement to renew copyright in India for any type of work, including cinematograph films and sound recordings; protection continues for the full term fixed under the Copyright Act, 1957. However, if the work is sold, licensed or otherwise transferred, the change in ownership can be recorded with the Copyright Office.