Copyright Registration

Validity: Literary / artistic / dramatic / musical works: lifetime of author + 60 years. Software / cinematographic / sound recording: 60 years from publicationHandled by verified compliance experts. 100% online process.

What is Copyright Registration?

Establish legal proof of ownership for your software code, website, content, music, or creative work by registering with the Copyright Office under the Copyright Act 1957. Registration is not mandatory but creates an invaluable legal presumption of ownership.

Copyright in India is governed by the Copyright Act 1957. Protection is automatic from the moment of creation — you do not need to register to own a copyright. However, registration with the Copyright Office creates a public record and a legal presumption of ownership that is invaluable in court. Software code, including source code and object code, is protected as a literary work under Indian copyright law.

Who Needs Copyright Registration?

Software companies, SaaS startups, content creators, music producers, authors, designers, filmmakers, and anyone who creates original work that could be copied or monetised should register copyright.

What's Included

Copyright Registration Certificate from the Copyright Office
Form XIV (Statement of Particulars) and Form XIII preparation
Public record of your ownership (dates of creation and registration)
Legal presumption of ownership in court disputes
Protection as literary work for software source code

⚠️ Penalty for Non-Compliance

Copyright infringement in India carries imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years and fines of ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh for the first offence. An unregistered copyright owner faces difficulty proving priority and originality in court.

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How It Works

1
Prepare Application and Work Copy
We prepare Form XIV (Statement of Particulars) and Form XIII (Application for Copyright), along with 3 copies of the work (or source code for software).
2
File with Copyright Office
Application is filed online via copyright.gov.in or physically at the Copyright Office in New Delhi.
3
Mandatory Waiting Period
The Copyright Office gives a 30-day mandatory waiting period for any objections from third parties claiming prior ownership.
4
Examination
If no objection is received, the examiner reviews the application. If objected, a hearing is scheduled.
5
Registration Certificate
The Registration Certificate (Diary Number confirmed as Registration) is issued. This takes 30–60 working days in total.

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Documents Required

Items marked Required are mandatory; others are situational.

Work Details

Title of the workRequired
Exact title as it appears on the work
Description / nature of the workRequired
E.g., software, logo, literary work, song, film
Copy of the work to be registeredRequired
2 copies required — for literary work, an electronic version suffices
Year and country of first publication
For published works only

Author & Owner Details

Name, address, and nationality of author(s)Required
All co-authors if it is a joint work
Name and address of the copyright owner (if different from author)
E.g., the company that owns software written by an employee

Authorisation

Power of Attorney or authorisation letterRequired
Authorises SGI to file the application on your behalf

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Fees & Pricing

Government Fees

Literary / dramatic / musical / artistic work

Per work; fee as per Copyright Rules 2013

500

Computer program / database / software

Per work under the Software category

2,000

Cinematograph film

Per film

5,000

Sound recording

Per sound recording

2,000

Professional Fees

Form XIV drafting, digital submission, mandatory wait support, certificate follow-up

Varies

Total (approx.)9,500

* Government fees may vary. GST applicable on professional fees. Final pricing confirmed after review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register to own a copyright?

No. Copyright is automatic from the moment of creation under the Copyright Act 1957. Registration creates a public record and legal presumption of ownership, but is not a prerequisite for copyright protection.

Can I copyright source code?

Yes. Computer software (source code, object code, and associated documentation) is protected as a 'literary work' under Indian copyright law. Registration is strongly recommended for commercial software.

How long does copyright last in India?

For original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works: the lifetime of the author plus 60 years. For cinematograph films and sound recordings: 60 years from the date of publication.

Can I copyright an idea or concept?

No. Copyright protects the expression of an idea — not the idea itself. You cannot copyright the concept of a task management app, but you can copyright the specific code, design, and content of your app.

Is Indian copyright valid internationally?

Yes. India is a signatory to the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention, which means Indian copyright is automatically recognised in 180+ member countries without any additional registration.