Copyright Registration in India

Copyright is the legal process of safeguarding any form of intellectual or artistic creations from illegal imitation or usage. Grounded on the Copyright Act, 1957, the creators/producers of any original works like literature, music, cinematography, sound records, can look after their intellectual properties. Following the latest amendment, computer-related programming, content, a database can also be protected by obtaining a copyright license.

Copyright Act

The Copyright Act, 1957 is a law in India that protects the original work of creators like authors, musicians, artists, filmmakers, photographers, and software developers. It gives them the legal right to control how their work is used.

The Register of Copyrights is divided into six categories:

  • Part A. Literary works other than computer Programs.
  • Part B. Musical Works.
  • Part C. Artistic Works.
  • Part D. Cinematography Films.
  • Part E. Sound Recording.
  • Part F. Computer Programs, tables & Compilations.

Benefits of Copyright Registration:

  • Legal Protection
  • Branding or Goodwill
  • After The Creators Death
  • Prima Facie Evidence
  • Owner publicity
  • Restricts Unauthorized Reproduction
  • Creation of Asset
  • Copyright helps in establishing credibility in Market

FAQs on Copyright Registration

Have questions about the Copyright Registration? This section answers common queries about Copyright Registration and what compliance involves for IP in India.

Copyright registration is an intellectual property right just like a trademark and patent. It is basically a legal right which is provided to the creators for their unique work. Copyright falls under the auspices of intellectual property law and protects the rights of creators of original works of authorship whether the work in question is published or not. Original works of authorship include literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and photography.

Copyright works include books, sound recordings, music, artistic work, cinematographic films, dramatic, computer programs, databases, advertisements, and paintings.

No, one cannot apply for Copyright registration in respect of ideas or mathematical concepts. Copyright does not provide protection to the ideas or concepts.

Copyright protection cannot be given to a website as a whole. For this, an applicant has to submit a separate application in respect of each component appearing on a website.

Any Individual or business entity can apply for copyright registration. Author, creator, musician, photographer, producer, painter, composer, or a company may safeguard their creatives with using this legal power.

By law, when something is written, drawn, photographed, etc., its copyright is automatically owned by the author. In other words, a copyright exists at the moment the work is created. Registering a copyright with the Copyright Office is voluntary. Copyright protection exists even without registration; However, your work must be registered before you can file a copyright infringement legal case in a court.

The main a difference between a patent and copyright is on the basis of their objective. The patent protects an invention of a new product or a process, from being stolen by others and to facilitate commercialization of its use by the inventor. On the other side, copyright protects original works, e.g. literary works, videos, music records, artistic works, architecture, software etc. from being plagiarized.

Copyright registration to secure your original work from theft or undue advantage. Having copyright your original work give evidence that this particular work belongs to you only. What are the benefits of Copyright Registrat.