Copyright arises automatically the moment an original work is created — a manuscript, a piece of software, a design, a song, a photograph. Registration does not create the right, but it creates the evidence. In a dispute, a registration certificate shifts the practical burden and saves you from proving authorship from scratch.
Who needs this
- Software developers and product companies protecting source code
- Publishers, authors, musicians and filmmakers
- Design and content studios
- Businesses licensing their material to others
Documents required
This is the usual list. Depending on your state and your specific facts, an authority may ask for more — we tell you at the scope stage rather than midway through.
- Two copies of the work, in the prescribed form
- Details of the author and the owner, where these differ
- No-objection certificate from the author, if the applicant is not the author
- No-objection certificate from the publisher, where the work is published
- Power of attorney
How we handle it
1. Category and eligibility
We identify the correct category — literary, artistic, musical, cinematograph film or sound recording — since the requirements differ.
2. Application
Form XIV is filed with the work and the required declarations.
3. Waiting period
A statutory period runs during which objections may be filed by third parties.
4. Examination and registration
The examiner reviews the application, and where no objection stands, the work is entered in the Register of Copyrights.
Fees and timeline
Software is registered as a literary work, and the source code listing forms part of the application. Where the code is confidential, portions may be submitted in a redacted manner as permitted.
We quote after a short conversation rather than publishing a single number, because the honest answer depends on your state, your turnover and your category. Call +91 98999 00300 or send the details through the enquiry form.
Common questions
How long does copyright last?
For most works, the author's lifetime plus sixty years. The period is computed differently for films, sound recordings and photographs.
Is copyright the same as a trademark?
No. Copyright protects the expression of a work; a trademark protects a brand identifier. A logo can attract both, and filing both is often sensible.
Can I register a work created by my employee?
Where the work was made in the course of employment, the employer is generally the first owner, subject to the contract. The employment agreement matters here.
This page is general information, not advice on your facts. Rules, rates and due dates change. Government fees are payable to the concerned authority and are separate from our professional fees.