Service
Copyright Registration
Copyright protects your original creative work — writing, music, art, film, sound recordings, and software — giving you exclusive control over how it is reproduced, distributed, displayed, and commercialised.
Start Your Copyright Enquiry Is This For You?
Who Needs Copyright
- You are a writer, musician, artist, designer, filmmaker, or software developer.
- You want provable proof of ownership and creation date.
- You license, sell, or want to enforce rights over your work.
- You want a stronger position against plagiarism or piracy.
What You Get
What's Included
Guidance on the correct work category.
Preparation and filing of the application (Form XIV).
Handling of objections/clarifications during examination (scope depends on package).
Tracking through to the registration certificate.
Governing law
Copyright Act, 1957 and Copyright Rules, 2013 — processed via copyright.gov.in
Protection
Arises automatically on creation; registration adds legal proof and easier enforcement (not mandatory but strongly advised)
Typical timeline
2–4 months
Starting cost driver
Work type/category — roughly ₹500–₹5,000 per work (varies by category). See Pricing.
Types & Categories
Types & Categories
Six protected categories: literary (including software source code), dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematograph films, and sound recordings. Examples — literary: novels, articles, blogs, software, training material; dramatic: scripts, plays, choreography; musical: compositions and notation; artistic: paintings, drawings, photographs, architectural designs, logos.
Process
The Full Copyright Registration Process
Draft the application
Using Form XIV with a statement of particulars.
Complete details
Title, author/creator name, creation date, brief description; attach copies of the work.
Pay the fee
Varies by work type.
Submit
Online via the e-filing portal or by post to the Copyright Office, Delhi; a diary number is issued on receipt.
Waiting period for objections
The application proceeds only after this window closes.
Deadline: 30-day mandatory waiting period
Examination
The office reviews and may issue objections or request clarifications.
Certificate
On successful registration, a copyright registration certificate is issued as proof of ownership.
Checklist
Documents & Inputs Required
- Two copies of the work.
- Proof of identity (Aadhaar, Passport, PAN).
- Proof of ownership (NOC, assignment deed, or publishing agreement).
- Power of Attorney (if filing through an agent).
- For published works: NOC from the publisher.
- Where a person's photograph appears: NOC from that person.
Timeline
How Long It Really Takes
Typically 2–4 months end to end: Form XIV filing → diary number → 30-day mandatory waiting period → examination → certificate. Some categories (e.g. software source code, artistic works tied to goods) can take longer if additional documents are needed.
Cost Drivers
What Affects the Price
Work category is the primary driver; published works and certain artistic/software works carry additional document requirements.
See Pricing Related
Explore Further
FAQ
Copyright Registration — Common Questions
Is copyright registration mandatory?
No — protection is automatic on creation — but registration is strong, dated proof of ownership that makes enforcement much easier.
Is software copyrightable?
Yes, source code is protected as a literary work.
What's the difference between copyright and trademark for a logo?
A logo can be both: copyright protects it as an artistic work (the drawing itself); trademark protects it as a brand identifier used in commerce. Many logos qualify for both.
How long does registration take?
Typically 2–4 months, including the mandatory objection waiting period.
What's the 30-day mandatory waiting period?
After filing, the application must sit for this window before examination proceeds, giving third parties a chance to raise an objection.
What proof of ownership do I need for published vs unpublished work?
Unpublished work generally needs proof of creation/authorship; published work additionally needs an NOC from the publisher.
Get Started
Start Your Copyright Enquiry
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