Copyright explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
For films the Office looks closely at two things: whether the recording really is a cinematograph film, and whether everyone who contributed has agreed to the applicant holding the rights. The Cinematograph Films Manual spends its Parts 2 and 3 on both. The definition is in section 2 of the Act, explained in our post on section 2, Part 1.
Status. The Manual was published by the Copyright Office in 2018 after public comments on a draft. It is the Copyright Office's guidance and does not have the force of law; the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Copyright Rules, 2013 as now in force prevail. The Office may revise its practice, so check the current position on copyright.gov.in.
Every recorded work with moving visuals counts as a cinematograph film. The application needs Form XIV and the Statement of Particulars, two copies (one if published), a power of attorney where used, and an NOC or agreement from every right-holder unless the applicant is the sole creator, who files an affidavit. The producer is the author, so the Statement must name the original producer in Column 7. The Statement of Further Particulars is not needed.
What the Manual counts as a film
A cinematograph film is any work of visual recording, including accompanying sound, and includes video films (section 2(f)). "Visual recording" is recording of moving images in any medium, including electronic storage (section 2(xxa)). The Manual concludes that every recorded work with moving images is a film, and that includes videos, short films, movies, animated films, documentaries, video-game recordings, animations, and recordings of dance, choreography or lectures. Stills and drawings become a film when recorded as moving images. A script is a different matter, taken up in our article on commonly observed issues. The Manual states the term as 60 years from the year after first publication; our post on sections 26 to 29 covers it. If you want the filing done for you, see our copyright registration service.
What the application needs
The Manual's list: Form XIV, Statement of Particulars, two copies of the work (one if published), a power of attorney if filed by an advocate or anyone other than the applicant, a NOC or agreement from the persons involved in the creation (not needed for a sole creator, who files an affidavit), and a NOC or agreement from the publisher if the publisher is not the applicant. Form XIV and the Statement are signed by the applicant, as rule 70(3) provides. The Statement of Further Particulars is not necessary for films.
The fee is INR 5,000 per work in the Manual, which matches the film head in our post on rule 83 and the Second Schedule as notified in 2013; check the current Schedule. A separate application and fee apply to each work, and the Manual says one recorded video is one work; several videos on one disc or drive are several works.
The Formality Check and a minimum thirty-day waiting period, tied to rule 70(9) and (10), work as in every other Manual.
When a film is published
Publication means making a work available to the public by issue of copies or by communicating it to the public (section 3, and section 2(ff) for communication). The Manual's examples include showing the film through cable TV, DTH channels or online video platforms; releasing it on a CD, DVD, flash drive or other storage; and releasing it in cinema halls even if the hall stays empty. Our post on publication gives the section. This decides how Columns 8 to 10 are filled.
NOCs and agreements
A NOC has no prescribed format but must say four things: the author is the creator of the film; the author knows that the application is being made in the applicant's name; the author has no objection; and the author has received full and final consideration, if any, for his services. It goes in original or notarised copy with the author's details and signature.
An agreement is a section 19 assignment or licence. It should show the work, the rights assigned, the duration and territory (neither mandatory) and the royalty or consideration payable to the author or his heirs, and carry all parties' names and signatures. An assignment must be in writing and signed by the assignor or his authorised agent. "Various right-holders" means lyricists, music directors, composers, script writers, performers, singers, dancers, actors and others, each with rights to the extent of contribution. Our post on NOCs from publishers and producers gives the wider guide.
The three columns that get extra attention
For films and sound recordings, the Manual picks out Columns 2, 7 and 11. Our table of the scenarios it describes:
| Scenario | Column 2 | Column 3 and 7 | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| The original producing company applies | That company | Author or owner; original producer as author in Col 7 | NOCs or agreements from the right-holders |
| A second producing company takes an assignment and applies | The assignee | Interest "owner"; the original producer (assignor) stays the author in Col 7 | Agreements with right-holders and between the two companies |
| An individual who created the work applies | Individual | Same person in Cols 2, 7 and 11 | Affidavit of sole creation |
| An individual applies but someone else made the work | Individual | Interest "owner"; creator's details in Col 7 | NOC or agreement from the creator |
Column 11 lists the persons who hold the various rights and the extent of each, with particulars of assignments or licences. If the right-holders have assigned their rights to the applicant, the applicant may show his own particulars, or say the entry is the same as Column 2. If the publisher differs from the author or owner, the publisher goes in Columns 9 and 10 and a NOC or agreement from the publisher in favour of the author or owner is filed.
Author, owner and publisher
The producer, the person who takes the initiative and responsibility for making the work (section 2(uu)), is the author of a film. The owner is the person who owns, or by agreement is entitled to own, the copyright. The publisher makes the work available to the public. A solo creator who publishes is author, owner and publisher unless an agreement says otherwise.
A worked example
Lakshmi Pictures, a regional producer, assigns all rights in its documentary to Ganga Studios in writing. Ganga Studios applies as owner in Column 3. In Column 7, the Statement names Lakshmi Pictures, because the assignor remains the author. The application includes the Lakshmi–Ganga agreement and the agreements with the director, composer and narrator. An examiner who sees Ganga Studios in Column 7 would write to ask for the correction and the missing agreements.
Need help with a film registration?
If you are assembling NOCs and agreements for a film, a series or an animated work, we can prepare the Statement and the supporting papers through our copyright registration service.
Key takeaways
- Every recorded moving-image work is a film in the Manual's view.
- The producer is the author, and the Statement must show the original producer in Column 7.
- Every contributor needs a NOC or agreement unless the applicant is the sole creator.
- No Statement of Further Particulars is needed for films.
- One recorded video is one work, with its own application and fee.
Read next
- The five Copyright Office manuals and how an application is examined
- Cinematograph Films Manual: commonly observed issues
- Sound Recordings Manual: definition, publication, NOC and agreements
- Copyright in cinematograph films and sound recordings
Disclaimer: Based on the Practice and Procedure Manuals published by the Copyright Office in 2018 for literary, artistic, musical, cinematograph film and sound recording works, as consulted on 4 October 2026. The manuals are guidance and do not have the force of law; the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Copyright Rules, 2013 as now in force prevail, and current fees, forms and practice should be checked on copyright.gov.in. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.