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The Copyright Act, 1957 · The Copyright Rules, 2013Copyright — a public record for your original works
Copyright arises automatically on creation, but a registration certificate is the evidence that turns your claim of ownership into something a court, an investor or a marketplace takedown team will accept quickly.
Works we register
- Literary works — including computer softwareSource code, manuals, books, content, compilations; software may be filed with source-code extracts.
- Artistic worksLogos, illustrations, product artwork, packaging, photographs, drawings.
- Musical & sound recordings · Cinematograph filmsCompositions, recordings and audiovisual works.
- Dramatic worksScripts, screenplays and choreographic works.
Our copyright services
- Application preparation & filingStatement of particulars, work samples and filing before the Copyright Office (Form XIV).
- NOC & trademark-interface handlingFor artistic works used on goods, the required searches and certificates at the trademark interface (Section 45 proviso).
- Discrepancy replies & hearingsResponses to objections and discrepancy letters through to registration.
- Assignment & licensingCopyright assignments compliant with Section 19, and licence drafting for commercialization.
- Enforcement supportInfringement notices and online takedown coordination.
Copyright at a glance
| Aspect | Position in India |
|---|---|
| When it arises | Automatically on creation of an original work — registration is evidentiary, not constitutive |
| General term | Lifetime of the author + 60 years (literary, dramatic, musical, artistic works) |
| Software | Protected as a literary work under Section 2(o) |
| Ownership caution | Work made for hire and commissioned works need clear contracts — the default rules surprise many founders |
Frequently asked questions
If copyright is automatic, why register at all?
The certificate is prima facie evidence of ownership and the date of the work. It shortens disputes, satisfies investor due diligence, supports marketplace and platform takedowns, and strengthens litigation. It is the difference between asserting ownership and proving it.
Should I protect my logo by copyright or trademark?
Ideally both: copyright protects the artwork itself; trademark protects its use as a brand identifier for your goods or services. Note that artistic works capable of use on goods require the trademark-interface certificate before copyright registration — a step we handle routinely.
Who owns the code my freelance developer wrote?
Without a written assignment, ownership may remain with the developer even though you paid for the work. We draft assignment clauses that vest ownership where the business needs it — before the relationship sours.
Created something original?
From source code to brand artwork, a registration certificate is inexpensive insurance for the day someone copies your work.