Copyright Registration in India

Copyright Registration in India

Copyright registration is the process of registering a creative work with the government in order to obtain additional legal protection for that work. In most countries, including India, copyright protection is automatically granted to original works as soon as they are fixed in a tangible form, such as being written down or recorded. This means that the creator of the work has certain exclusive rights to that work, including the right to reproduce, distribute, and publicly perform or display the work.

However, while automatic copyright protection is a valuable tool for creators, registering a copyright can provide even more legal benefits. For example, in India, registering a copyright allows the creator to file a lawsuit for infringement of their work, which is necessary in order to seek damages or other remedies. It also allows the creator to seek statutory damages and attorney’s fees in the event of an infringement, which can be significant and can provide a financial incentive for others to respect the creator’s rights.

Benefits of Copyright Registration In India

There are several benefits to registering a copyright in India, including:

• Legal protection: Registering a copyright provides additional legal protection for the work, allowing the creator to enforce their rights and seek damages or other remedies if the work is infringed.
• Public record: Registration creates a public record of the work and the creator’s ownership of it, which can be useful in proving ownership and defending against infringement.
• Licensing and selling: Registered copyrights can be licensed or sold to others, providing potential financial benefits for the creator.
• Statutory damages: In the event of an infringement, registered copyrights can allow the creator to seek statutory damages and attorney’s fees, which can provide a financial incentive for others to respect the creator’s rights.

How to Check Copyright Status in India?

1. Go to official website of Indian Copyright Office https://copyright.gov.in/.
2. Click on Status of the Application in Left Menu.
3. Enter Diary Number then click on the View Status button.
4. Status of your application will be shown there.

Different status of Copyright Application

There are various status of a copyright application depending on their registration stages:

• Work Awaited: Work yet to be received.
• Waiting: Payment Accepted,Application in mandatory waiting period of one month(Copyright Act 1957).
• Documents not received, formality check failed: Documents/works not received only after making payment.
• Abandoned: Reply to Discrepancy letter issued not received/works not received after filing.
• Scrutiny: Application  is under process.
• Re-Scrutiny: Application is under process .
• Pending for Hearing: Pending for Hearing process.
• Hearing: Hearing process.
• Sub-Judice: Pending decision of the competent court of law.
• Registered: ROC is Generated.

Documents Required for Copyright Registration in India

In India, you can register your work for copyright protection by submitting a copyright application to the Copyright Office of India.

To know the Work-wise dcouments requirements, Download the below mentioned file:

What Can Be Protected by Online Copyright Registration?

The types of works that can be protected by online copyright registration are generally the same as those that can be protected through traditional copyright registration. Some specific examples of works that can be protected by online copyright registration include:

• Literary works, such as books, poems, plays, and other written works
• Musical works, such as songs and other musical compositions
• Artistic works, such as paintings, sculptures, and other works of visual art
• Dramatic works, such as plays and other stage productions
• Films and other audiovisual works
• Sound recordings, such as recordings of music or other audio
• Computer programs and other software
• Websites and other online content

Copyright Registration Validity in India

In India, copyright protection is generally valid for the life of the creator of the work, plus an additional 60 years after their death. This means that the copyright in a work remains in effect for a total of 60 years after the death of the creator.

FAQs on Copyright Registration in India