First Schedule 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.
The First Schedule of the Copyright Rules, 2013 holds sixteen forms, Form I to Form XVI. Rule 2(1)(d) says "Form" means a form set out in the First Schedule, so every rule that says "in Form ..." points here. This article lists each form, the rule and section it serves, who files it and who it is addressed to, so you can pick the right one.
There are sixteen forms. Form I is for relinquishment; Forms II to VII are applications for compulsory and other licences and a termination notice; Forms VIII to XII are for copyright societies and performers' societies; Form XIII is the Register's own form; Form XIV is the application for registration of copyright and Form XV for changes; Form XVI is the notice to Customs. Forms II to VII are addressed to the "Intellectual Property Appellate Board" in the text, which the 2021 Act abolished at Act level.
The Board caution
Forms II, III, V, VI and VII are addressed to "The Registrar of Copyrights/Secretary, Intellectual Property Appellate Board" and say the applicant applies "to the Copyright Board". Form IV is addressed to the licence holder. That is the text as notified in 2013. The Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 abolished the Board at Act level and moved its functions to the Commercial Court or the High Court, as each amended section provides (see the Appellate Board provisions after 2021). These Rules have not been checked here for a matching amendment, so the printed addressee on those forms should not be treated as current; check the current form and the forum the amended section gives. Our rule-wise articles give the details for each form. If you are not sure which form or forum applies, our copyright registration team can confirm the route for a registration filing.
The forms at a glance
The text has no heading "First Schedule"; the Forms run in sequence after rule 86 and before the Second Schedule of fees.
| Form | Title in the text | Rule | Section | Filed by and addressed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Notice of relinquishment of copyright | 4 | 21 | Author, to the Registrar of Copyrights |
| II | Application for compulsory licences for works withheld from public | 6 | 31 | Applicant, to the Registrar/Secretary, Intellectual Property Appellate Board |
| III | Application for compulsory licence for publication, communication to the public or translation | 11 | 31A (the form says 31) | Applicant, same addressee |
| IV | Notice for termination of licence | 15, 22, 43 | 32B | Owner, to the licence holder |
| V | Application for a compulsory licence for disabled persons | 17 | 31B | Applicant, same addressee as Form II |
| VI | Application for licence for translation | 32 | 32 | Applicant, same addressee |
| VII | Licence for publication, translation and reproduction of work (an application) | 38 | 32(1A), 32A | Applicant, same addressee |
| VIII | Application for permission to carry on copyright business and for registration as a copyright society | 44 | 33 | Society applicant, through the Registrar for the Central Government |
| IX | Application for re-registration or renewal of registration of a copyright society | 47 | 33 | Society, to the Registrar for the Central Government |
| X | Certificate of registration under section 33(3) | 49 | 33(3) | Issued by the Registrar of Copyrights |
| XI | Application for permission and registration as a performer's society | 68 | 39A | Performers' society, through the Registrar |
| XII | Application for re-registration or renewal as a performer's society | 68 | 39A | Performers' society |
| XIII | Form of Register of Copyrights | 69 | 44 | The Register itself |
| XIV | Application for registration of copyright | 70 | 45 | Applicant, to the Registrar of Copyrights |
| XV | Application for registration of changes in particulars | 70(1), 71 | 45, 49 | Applicant, to the Registrar of Copyrights |
| XVI | Notice under section 53 | 79 | 53 | Owner or agent, to the Commissioner of Customs |
Group by group
Relinquishment: Form I
An author gives up rights under section 21 by a notice to the Registrar with an affidavit and statement, affirmed before a Magistrate. See our article on rules 4 and 5.
Licences: Forms II to VII
These forms follow a common pattern: a letter applying under the relevant section, an undertaking to abide by the licence terms, a statement describing the applicant and the work, the proposed price and royalty, fee particulars and the evidence of request and refusal. Form IV is different: it is the owner's notice to the licence holder that copies of a translation or reproduction have been published by the owner or with the owner's authority, for termination under section 32B. See our articles on rules 6 to 10, rules 11 to 16, rules 17 to 22, rules 32 to 34 and rules 38 and 39.
Form VI has no printed verification clause; Forms II, III, V and VII do. The printed Form III cites section 31 although rule 11 serves section 31A, and Form V reads "Copyright ct" for "Copyright Act".
Societies: Forms VIII to XII
Forms VIII and IX are for copyright societies (registration, then re-registration or renewal) and ask for the legal personality certificate, the Governing Body, the office address and chief executive officer, and financial position. Form X is the Registrar's certificate of registration; it refers to the "copyright Rules, 1958", a slip in the 2013 text. Forms XI and XII are the performers' society counterparts. The plan description that groups Form XII with rules 47 and 49 is not borne out by the text: Form XII's own heading says "See rule 68". See our articles on rules 44 and 45 and rule 68.
Registration: Forms XIII to XV
Form XIII lists the fifteen entries of the Register; it is not something you file. Form XIV is the application for registration, with a Statement of Particulars and a Statement of Further Particulars, followed by General Instructions and filling-in instructions; the text prints "Form XIV" twice because the second occurrence introduces those instructions. Form XV is the application for changes, with a table of the existing entry, the proposed entry and reasons. Form XV is marked "See rule 71", while rule 70(1) is the rule that actually names it. See our articles on rule 69, rule 70 and rules 71 and 72, and our how-to guide on filing Form XIV.
Customs: Form XVI
The owner or authorised agent notifies the Commissioner of Customs of expected infringing imports, with an affidavit, a statement and evidence. See our article on rule 79.
Which form for which task
| If you want to | Use |
|---|---|
| Give up a right in your work | Form I |
| Apply for a licence of a work withheld from the public, an unpublished or untraceable work, a translation or an accessible format | Forms II, III, VI, V or VII, according to the section |
| End a translation or reproduction licence | Form IV |
| Set up or renew a society | Forms VIII and IX (copyright society); XI and XII (performers) |
| Register a copyright | Form XIV |
| Change a registered entry | Form XV |
| Stop infringing imports | Form XVI |
For fees on each, see our article on rule 83 and the Second Schedule.
What the First Schedule does not say
- No heading "First Schedule" is printed in the text; the grouping follows rule 2(1)(d).
- No form for several notices and complaints, for example the cover version notice, the broadcasting notice and the rule 75 takedown complaint.
- Fees are in the Second Schedule, not on the forms.
Need help choosing and filling the right form?
The right form, the right addressee and the right enclosures decide whether a filing is accepted. Our copyright registration team can prepare Form XIV or XV and guide you on the others.
Key takeaways
- The First Schedule has sixteen forms; rule 2(1)(d) ties every "Form" to it.
- Forms II to VII relate to licences and are addressed in the text to the Intellectual Property Appellate Board, abolished at Act level by the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021.
- Forms VIII to XII relate to copyright societies and performers' societies; Form XIII is the Register; Form XIV registers, Form XV changes.
- Form XVI is the Customs notice under section 53.
- The text is as notified in 2013 with the 2016 amendment; check the current forms.
Read next
- Rule 70: application for registration of copyright
- Rules 84–86: right of audience, costs and repeal of the 1958 Rules
- Copyright registration process step by step
Disclaimer: Based on the Copyright Rules, 2013 as notified (with the 2016 amendment), read with the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Later amendment rules, forms and fees should be checked in their current form. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.