Copyright Registration

Introduction

Copyright is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their original works. These rights include the right to reproduce the work, distribute it, perform it, display it, and make derivative works from it. Copyright protection is automatic in India, meaning that it is not necessary to register a work in order to be protected. However, registration does offer several advantages, including:

• It provides a public record of ownership of the work.
• It can help to deter copyright infringement.
• It can be used as evidence in court if there is a dispute over copyright ownership.

 

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The Copyright Act of 1957 is the primary legislation governing copyright in India. The Act defines copyright as "the exclusive right to do or authorize to do any of the following acts in respect of a work, namely:

• To reproduce the work in any material form including storing it in any medium by electronic means.
• To issue copies of the work to the public not being copies already in circulation.
• To perform the work in public, if it is a literary, dramatic or musical work.
• To make any cinematograph film or sound recording in respect of the work in any substance.
• To communicate the work to the public by any means of electronic communication."

 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

The following documents are required for copyright registration in India:

• Form XIV: Application for Copyright Registration
• Statement of Further Particulars (Form XIV-A)
• Copies of the work to be registered
• Treasury Challan or NEFT/RTGS receipt for the prescribed fee

 

PROCEDURE

The following steps are involved in copyright registration in India:

• Fill in Form XIV and Form XIV-A. The forms can be downloaded from the website of the Copyright Office.
• Attach copies of the work to be registered.
• Pay the prescribed fee.
• Submit the application form, statement of further particulars, copies of the work, and proof of payment to the Copyright Office.

 

FEATURES

The following are some of the key features of copyright registration in India:

• Copyright registration is valid for a period of 60 years from the date of publication of the work.
• Copyright registration can be renewed for a further period of 60 years.

Copyright registration is not mandatory, but it offers several advantages, including a public record of ownership of the work, deterrence of copyright infringement, and use as evidence in court.