Copyright Registration in India
You create a book. Write a song. Design something. And then one day, you see it on the internet—used without your consent. It’s infuriating. You’re helpless. Your work, your time, and your creativity are all worth more.
Now you’re asking yourself, “How do I protect what’s mine?”
That is where India’s copyright registration comes in. It gives your work legal protection and stops others from copying or using it without your permission.
Let Jitendra Consulting Group India (JCI), a top IP service provider in India, help you register your precious works in India.
What Is Copyright?
Copyright is a legal right. It belongs to the person who creates something original, like a story, a song, a painting, or software. When you hold the copyright, you control how that work is used. You can decide who can copy, share, or change it.
In India, this right is protected by The Copyright Act, 1957, which has been updated over time to stay relevant to today’s creative industries.
What Can You Copyright in India?
Many types of creative work are eligible. The Copyright Office of India divides them into six groups:
Literary Works
(like books, articles, poems – not computer programs)
Musical Works
(music notes, lyrics)
Artistic Works
(paintings, sketches, designs)
Cinematographic Films
(movies, video content)
Sound Recordings
(audio clips, songs, voice recordings)
Software and Data
(computer programs, compilations, databases)
Why do you need Copyright Registration in India?
Registration isn’t mandatory in India—but it’s smart. Here’s why:
- Legal Proof: It’s official evidence that you created the work.
- Exclusive Rights: You get the right to reproduce, share, translate, adapt, and perform your work.
- Economic Value: You can sell or license your copyright.
- Public Listing: Your work is searchable in public records.
- International Protection: India is a member of international treaties, so your copyright can be respected in other countries too.
- Symbol Use: Once registered, you can use the © symbol to mark your work.
Rights You Get as a Copyright Holder
After registration, you gain several legal rights:
- Claim authorship of your work
- Reproduce or store it in any format
- Decide how and where it gets published
- Translate or adapt it into another form
- Perform or display it publicly
- Transfer or sell the copyright to someone else
- Take legal action if someone misuses your work
These rights help you control how your work is used and protect its originality.
Duration of Copyright Protection in India
Your copyright stays valid for your lifetime plus 60 years after your death. This means your family or those you assign it to can benefit from it long after you’re gone.
File Formats for Application
To apply, you need to upload your work in specific formats:
- Artistic works – PDF or JPG
- Sound recordings – MP3
- Literary work, music, or software – PDF (file must be under 10 MB)
- Software source code – First and last 10 pages or full code if under 20 pages
Step-by-Step Process for Copyright Registration in India
Create an Account
Draft the Patent Application
Pay the Fees
Get Dairy Number
Refute Objections (if any)
Application Review
Get the Certificate
How can Jitendra Consulting Group India Help?
Copyright registration in India helps protect your creative work and gives you legal rights over it. JCI helps you register your creative works in India. If you’re a writer, musician, artist, or developer—your work deserves protection, and JCI promises to get you that protection. Our experts will make sure that your application is readily approved and will also help you with cases. Choose our extensive trademark registration, enforcement and litigation services in India.