Copyright Registration Services
Protect Your Creative Work with Legal Certainty
Copyright protects the rights of creators over their original literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works by granting them exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, adapt, and publicly communicate their creations. In India, these rights are governed by the Copyright Act, 1957, providing a legal foundation to enforce ownership and prevent unauthorized use.
What is Copyright?
Copyright is a legal right that enables the creator of an original work to control how it is used. This includes the right to reproduce, adapt, publish, perform, or communicate the work to the public. Copyright protection begins at creation but formal registration provides stronger enforcement rights and evidentiary value.
Types of Works Eligible for Copyright
The Registrar of Copyrights classifies protected works under the following categories:
- Literary Works: Novels, poems, articles (excluding computer programs)
- Musical Works: Songs, lyrics, compositions
- Artistic Works: Paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs
- Cinematographic Films: Motion pictures and visual recordings
- Sound Recordings: Audio content in any medium
- Computer Programs and Compilations: Software and databases
Each category must be filed for separately, based on the type of creation.
Governing Law
Copyright protection in India is regulated by the Copyright Act, 1957, which has evolved through amendments to address modern developments in intellectual property.
Why Register Copyright?
Although copyright exists from the moment of creation, registration provides:
- Legal evidence of ownership
- Public record of the creator’s rights
- Greater enforceability in disputes
- Eligibility for statutory remedies in court
Key Advantages of Registration
- Exclusive Rights: Control over reproduction, adaptation, distribution, and performance
- Legal Safeguards: Protection against infringement or unauthorized use
- Brand Value: Enhances recognition and establishes ownership
- Global Recognition: Protection across countries under international treaties
- Commercial Value: Treated as an intellectual property asset that can be sold or licensed
- Monetization: Enables revenue generation through lawful licensing
Use of the © Symbol
After successful registration, creators can use the © symbol to publicly assert their rights, serving as a deterrent against infringement.
Legal Rights of Copyright Owners
- Right to claim authorship and prevent unauthorized changes
- Right to reproduce, store, or publish the work
- Right to publicly display, perform, or communicate the work
- Right to adapt or translate the work
- Right to license, assign, or commercially exploit the work
- Right to protect moral interests in case of distortion or misuse
Duration of Copyright Protection
- For literary, artistic, dramatic, and musical works: Lifetime of the author plus 60 years
- For cinematographic films and sound recordings: 60 years from first publication
File Format Requirements for Application
- Artistic Works: JPG or PDF
- Sound Recordings: MP3
- Literary, Musical, Dramatic Works and Software: PDF (max 10MB)
- Software: Include the first and last 10 pages of the source code without redaction
Step-by-Step Copyright Registration Process
- Application Filing
- File Form XIV and Statement of Particulars
- Signed by applicant and authorized representative
- Government fee must be paid
- Issuance of Diary Number
- A diary number is issued post-submission
- A 30-day period follows for any public objections
- Objection Handling
- If objections arise, both parties are notified and a hearing may be scheduled
- If no objections, application is sent for examination
- Examination and Approval
- Registrar reviews the application for legal and procedural compliance
- Upon approval, the work is entered into the official register
- Issuance of Certificate
- Final certificate of registration is issued
- Entire process usually completes within 2 to 3 months
Our Services at Consult Your Counsel
Consult Your Counsel offers comprehensive legal assistance for copyright registration in India. Our services include:
- Drafting and submission of applications
- Reviewing and ensuring documentation compliance
- Responding to objections and appearing before the Registrar
- Managing deadlines and monitoring the entire process
“Protect Your Creativity. Secure Your Rights With Consult Your Counsel.”