Copyright Registration
Register copyright for your literary, artistic, musical or software work — while copyright exists automatically, registration gives you strong legal evidence and easier enforcement. We handle classification, filing, examination support and your registration certificate.
Starting at ₹2,999**Professional fee only — the government filing fee (which varies by category of work) is additional and quoted upfront before you proceed.
What Is Copyright Registration?
Copyright is a bundle of exclusive rights that arises automatically the moment an original literary, artistic, musical or dramatic work — including software and sound recordings — is created, under the Copyright Act, 1957. You don't need to register to own copyright, but registration creates an official public record of your ownership and the date of creation, which becomes powerful evidence if you ever need to enforce your rights against infringement, license the work, or prove ownership in court or before a platform's takedown process. Registration is done under Section 45 of the Copyright Act, 1957, with the specific category of work (literary, artistic, musical, sound recording, or cinematograph film) determining the applicable rules and term of protection.
Who Should Register Copyright?
Authors & writers — books, articles, blogs and other written works you want documented proof of ownership for.
Artists & designers — paintings, illustrations, logos and other visual works at risk of being copied.
Software developers & companies — proprietary source code and applications that need protection with confidential handling.
Musicians & composers — original compositions, lyrics and sound recordings.
Businesses licensing creative content — companies that want clean, documented ownership before licensing a work to others.
What's Included in Our Copyright Service
Literary & Artistic Work
Books, articles, paintings, illustrations and other creative works.
Software/Source Code Copyright
Registration for computer programs, with confidential source code handling.
Musical & Sound Recording
Copyright for compositions, lyrics and sound recordings.
Objection Handling
We respond to any objection raised during examination.
Documents Required for Copyright Registration
Copy of the work — the manuscript, artwork, source code excerpt, or recording being registered.
Author & applicant identity proof — PAN and Aadhaar of the creator and the applicant, if different.
Statement of authorship & date of creation — details of when and how the work was created.
NOC from co-authors or publishers (if applicable) — where the work involves multiple contributors or has been published.
Power of Attorney — authorising our team to file and follow up on the application.
How It Works
Work Classification
We identify the correct category for your work.
Application Filing
Filed online with the Copyright Office along with the work sample.
Examination
A mandatory 30-day window for objections, followed by scrutiny.
Registration Certificate
Certificate issued once the examiner is satisfied.
Estimated Processing Time
Copyright registration typically takes 6-12 months, including the mandatory 30-day window during which any objections can be raised. Once registered, protection generally lasts for the author's lifetime plus 60 years, though the exact term varies by category of work.
For the official filing procedures and forms, you can also refer to the Copyright Office website, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming registration is mandatory for protection — copyright actually arises automatically the moment an original work is created.
Not preserving dated proof of authorship and creation (drafts, timestamps, correspondence) to support a claim if challenged.
Missing proper assignment or co-author documentation when multiple people contribute to the work.
Filing without checking for substantially similar prior published works, which can invite objections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is copyright and what does it protect?
Copyright is a legal right granted under the Copyright Act, 1957 that protects original literary, artistic, musical and dramatic works, along with software and sound recordings, giving the creator exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform and adapt the work.
Is copyright registration mandatory?
No, copyright exists automatically on creation, but registration provides strong evidentiary proof of ownership, useful in disputes.
How long does copyright registration take?
Typically 6-12 months, including the mandatory 30-day objection window.
How long does copyright protection last?
Generally for the author's lifetime plus 60 years, though the term varies by category of work.
What types of work can be registered for copyright?
Literary works (books, articles, code), artistic works (paintings, illustrations, logos), musical works (compositions and lyrics), sound recordings, and cinematograph films can all be registered for copyright.
Can software or source code be copyrighted?
Yes, computer programs are protected as literary works under the Copyright Act, and registration can be done with confidential handling of the source code excerpt submitted.
What happens if someone objects to my copyright application?
Any objection raised during the mandatory 30-day window is examined by the Copyright Office, and a reply is prepared and filed to address the specific grounds raised before registration proceeds.
You May Also Need
Trademark Registration
Protect your brand name, logo or tagline.
Design Registration
Protect the visual appearance of a product.
Patent Registration
Protect a functional invention or technical process.
Is copyright registration mandatory for protection?
No — copyright protection exists automatically from the moment of creation under the Copyright Act, 1957; registration is optional but provides strong, dated evidence of ownership if disputed.
How long does copyright protection last?
For most literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, protection lasts for the author's lifetime plus 60 years.