Copyright Registration in India

Copyright registrations in India are governed by the Copyright Act, 1957. Copyright is a legal right granted by the law to creators of literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, as well as producers of cinematograph films and sound recordings. This legal right provides creators with safeguards to ensure the protection of intellectual work, rewarding creativity. Copyright includes a bundle of rights such as reproduction, communication to the public, adaptation, and translation of the work. It is an intellectual property that adds value to the entity or user, serving as an intangible asset that can be sold or transferred for consideration.

Benefits of Obtaining Copyright Registration in India:

1. Acts as legal protection for creators and serves as evidence in a court of law.
2. Enhances the market for products or services, increasing the goodwill of the entity or user.
3. Provides protection against copyright infringement, impeding unauthorized reproduction.
4. Represents an intangible asset for the entity.

Procedure for Obtaining Copyright Registration in India:

1. Application Submission:
   • Fill and sign the application (FORM IV).
   • Submit it to the registrar along with the prescribed fees.
2. Power of Attorney (POA):
   • Establish a Power of Attorney between the applicant and lawyer.
3. Dairy Number Issuance:
   • The registrar will issue a Dairy Number.
   • A mandatory waiting period of 30 days is observed for any objections to be received.
4. Scrutiny and Registration:
   • If no objections are received within 30 days, the scrutinizer checks the application for discrepancies.
   • If no discrepancies are found, registration is done, and an extract is sent to the registrar for entry in the Register of Copyright.
5. Objections Handling (if applicable):
   • If objections are received, the examiner sends letters to both parties about the objections and arranges a hearing.
   • After the hearing, if objections are resolved, the scrutinizer approves or rejects the application.

Details Required for Copyright Registration in India:

1. Identity and address of the applicant.
2. Nature of the interest of the applicant in getting copyright.
3. Nature of the work:
   • Class and description of the work.
   • Title of the work.
   • Language of the work.
   • Date of publication if published.

General FAQs – Copyright Registration in India:

1. Difference between Copyright and Trademark:
   • Trademark: Intellectual property assigned to a word, logo, or brand.
   • Copyright: Protection given to unique content like books, music, videos, songs, and artistic content.
2. Validity of Copyright:
   • Valid for 60 years from the year following the death of the author or from the date of publication for certain works.
3. Geographical Boundaries for Validity:
   • Valid in India; evidence can be used in other countries.
4. Difference between Copyright and Patent:
   • Patent: Given for invention.
   • Copyright: Given for content.