Benefits of Copyright Registration

• Legal Protection: Registering your copyright provides a public record of your ownership. This record is crucial if you ever need to prove ownership in court.

• Financial Benefits: It enables you to seek damages and attorney's fees in case of copyright infringement, offering stronger legal grounds to protect your income.

• Global Recognition: Copyright registration in your country often extends protection to many other countries through international treaties, safeguarding your work on a global scale.

• Receive Your Certificate: Once approved, you will receive a copyright registration certificate. This document serves as legal proof of your copyright ownership.

• Enjoy Your Rights: With your copyright registration certificate in hand, you now have exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and modify your work. These rights help protect your creative efforts from unauthorized use and infringement.

Specific Types of Creations

Copyright is a powerful tool for protecting a wide selection of creative works. The Registrar of Copyrights categorizes intellectual property into six distinct categories, each tailored to specific types of creations:

• Literary Works (Excluding Computer Programs): This category encompasses a vast range of written materials, including novels, poetry, essays, articles, and more. Essentially, if it's written down, it can likely be copyrighted.
• Musical Works: Musical compositions, whether in the form of melodies, lyrics, or sheet music, fall under this category. This protection ensures that composers and songwriters retain control over their musical creations.
• Artistic Works: Visual arts such as paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and other artistic expressions are protected by copyright. This category safeguards the originality and artistic integrity of visual creations.
• Cinematography Films: Copyright extends to cinematographic works, including movies, videos, and other audiovisual productions. This protection covers the creative elements within the film, from the storyline to the visual and auditory components.
• Sound Recordings: Audio recordings of music, speeches, lectures, and other sound-based creations are protected under copyright law. This category ensures that the recorded performances and their reproductions are safeguarded against unauthorized use.
• Computer Programs, Tables, and Compilations: In the digital age, copyright also protects computer programs, software codes, databases, and compilations of data or information. This category safeguards technological innovations and organized collections of information.

Each of these categories represents a distinct form of creative expression that copyright law seeks to protect, ensuring that creators have the exclusive right to use, reproduce, distribute, and display their works.

How to file for Copyright Registration in India?

Securing copyright registration follows a methodical process with several key steps:

• Access the Official Website: Visit the Copyright Office's official website and log in with your User ID and Password. If you are a new user, click on "New User Registration" and note down your credentials for future use.
• Submission of Application: Prepare your application in the prescribed format (FORM XIV) containing all necessary details and particulars. After logging in, go to the "Click for Online Copyright Registration" link. Complete the Copyright Registration Form in four steps:
• Fill out Form XIV and save your entries for Step 2.
• Upload a scanned copy of your signature.
• Complete the "Statement of Particulars" and save your entries.
• Fill out the "Statement of Further Particulars" applicable to literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and software works. Save your entries and proceed.
• Make Payment: Pay the required fees outlined in Schedule 2 of the Copyright Act using the Internet Payment Gateway.
• Diary Number Issuance: Upon submission, the registrar issues a Diary Number, marking the start of the registration process. A mandatory 30-day waiting period allows time for objections to be raised.
• Submission by Post: Print one hard copy each of the "Acknowledgement Slip" and the "Copyright Registration Form." Send these by post to the Copyright Division at:

Copyright Division Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Ministry of Commerce and Industry Boudhik Sampada Bhawan, Plot No. 32, Sector 14, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078 Email: copyright[at]nic[dot]in Telephone: 011-28032496

• Objection Handling: If no objections are raised within 30 days, a scrutinizer assesses the application for discrepancies. If none are found, the registration proceeds.

• Objection Resolution: If objections are received, both parties are notified, and a hearing is scheduled to resolve these objections.

• Application Examination: Following resolution, the scrutinizer reviews the application and either approves or rejects it based on the circumstances.

• Copyright Registration Certificate: Upon approval, the copyright registration certificate is issued, typically within 2 to 3 months.

• Checking Application Status: To check the status of your application, visit the Copyright registrar's website, locate the "Status of Application" section, and enter your Diary Number (acknowledgment number) for current updates.

What is Copyright Duration?

Following copyright registration, the protection typically lasts for the author's lifetime plus an additional 60 years after their death. This extended duration ensures that the creator's work remains safeguarded and continues to benefit their heirs or designated rights holders for a significant period of time. This framework not only protects the originality and integrity of creative works but also fosters continued innovation and cultural enrichment by providing incentives for creators and their successors.

Rights Granted by Copyright

Copyright provides several exclusive rights to the creator:

• Reproduction: The right to make copies of the work.
• Distribution: The right to distribute copies to the public.
• Public Performance: The right to perform the work publicly (e.g., in a theater or concert).
• Public Display: The right to display the work publicly (e.g., art exhibitions).
• Derivative Works: The right to create new works based on the original (e.g., adaptations or sequels).

Copyright is not absolute. Certain exceptions allow limited use of copyrighted material without permission under the doctrine of "fair use." This includes uses for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Fair use is determined based on factors such as the purpose of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used, and the effect on the market value of the original work.

Infringement occurs when someone uses copyrighted material without authorization. Creators can enforce their rights through various means, including cease-and-desist letters, litigation, and seeking statutory damages. The enforcement process can be complex and costly, but it is crucial for protecting one's creative work.

Our Support

Choosing our firm means working with dedicated professionals who care about protecting your work

• Expertise: Our attorneys specialize in copyright law and have helped many artists and owners in hearings successfully.
• Client Focus: We believe in clear communication and working closely with you throughout the process to achieve the best outcome.
• Proven Success: We have a strong track record of securing copyright registration for our clients through thorough preparation and strong advocacy.