Copyright Registration In India

What if you are writing a new book? It is a literary masterpiece that can earn you a lot of money, but you are afraid and wonder what will happen if you release it, people copy it and sell it under their own name? What do you need to do to prevent this and protect your rights?

The answer is simple. You need to register your work with the copy registrar.

Copyright Registration is actually the right not to copy someone else's work. Copyright gives the exclusive right to the owner of the subject over his or her work. If the work is protected by copyright, no one duplicates, copies, or reproduces the original work in any other way.

What type of work can be registered using copyright?

Copyright may be obtained for the following works:

1.Fashion Designs

2.Software

3.Music

4.Books

5.Manuscripts

6.Movies

7.Training Manuals

8.Literary Work

9.Performance

10.Drawings etc.

However, it should be remembered that copyright does not protect names, ideas, concepts, slogans, titles, methods, and short phrases.

The Registrar of Copyright Register is divided into 6 sections:

SECTION 1: Literary works other than computer Programs

SECTION2: Music Works

SECTION 3: Artwork

SECTION4: Cinematography Films

SECTION 5: Sound Recording

SECTION 6: Computer programs,Compilations ,tables.

Why Should You Register Your Work Under Copyright?

It is not compulsory to obtain copyright protection but it is always advisable to do so as it will give the owner a certain set of limited rights for his work and protection that no one will be able to copy his work for a short period of time. This satisfaction will always motivate the owner to do more work and create more things.

Benefits Of Copyright Registration

Copyright Registration is as beneficial as Shop Act Registration, Trademark Registration, ISO Registration.

1.Copyright registration creates a public record. It tells the world that your work is protected by copyright and also enables a person who wants to license your work to find you.

2.It gives you the power to sue and take legal action against anyone who infringes on your copyright, that is, by selling copies of your work without your permission.

3.It gives you economic benefits by allowing you to use your work in a variety of ways such as performing in public, making copies, broadcasting your work, etc, and availing appropriate rewards for it. Therefore, it provides rewards for your creativity.

4.Allows you to sell or transfer your work rights.

5.It allows you to get legal proof of your ownership. So if someone is preventing you from using your work, you can simply use your copyright to prove that it is your work and you have the right to use it.

6.It allows you to change the form of your work. For example, it allows you to make a sequel or revise or update the work.

What documents are required to register copyright

Personal Details

1.Name, address, and nationality of the applicant

2.The name, address, and nationality of the author of the work

3.Nature of applicant's interest in copyright - whether the applicant is the author of the work or the author's representative

4.Copies of the original work

5.ID proof of the owner and Incorporation certificate if it is for business

Nature of the work

1.Class & Description of the Work

2.Work title

3.Work Language

4.Publication Date - Publication in internal magazines, like a company magazine or a research paper submitted to a professor does not count as publication.

Copyright Registration Process

To obtain a copyright registration the following procedure must be followed:

The procedure for registration of copyright is provided in sections 44-50A of the 1957 copyright act which is as follows.

1.The application is made on form XIV.

2.Each work must have a separate application for registration.

3.The applicant must sign the application and, where applicable, must be signed by an attorney and accepted by an advocate.

4.A specified fee should be paid in any form prescribed by the registrar of copyrights.

Fees for different work have been provided by the government in this link: http://copyright.gov.in/frmFeeDetailsShow.aspx

5. Dairy No. will be provided by the registrar to the applicant, after which the applicant will have to wait 30 days.

6.If no objection is received after 30 days, the application will be investigated to ensure that it is free from any discrepancy and if none is found, the registration will be perfected while a copy will be sent to the copyright office to be entered in the register of copyrights.

7.If any objections are received, the officer will write a letter to each party and arrange for a hearing with them.

8.The decision of the look- over to either approves or reject the application will depend on the outcome of the hearing.