Rule 69 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.
Rule 69 opens Chapter XIII on registration of copyright. It says the Register of Copyrights is kept in physical and electronic form in six parts, one for each family of works, and that it contains the particulars listed in Form XIII. If you have registered a work, this is where your entry sits and what it says.
The Register of Copyrights is kept in physical and electronic form in six parts: literary and dramatic works, musical works, artistic works, cinematograph films, sound recordings, and computer programmes, tables and compilations. It contains the particulars in Form XIII, a fifteen-item list covering the registration number, the applicant, the work, the author, publication, the owners and extent of rights, and remarks. The rule implements section 44.
Which section the rule serves
Rule 69 implements section 44 of the Act, which provides for the Register of Copyrights. See our article on sections 44 and 45. Applications are made under rule 70 in Form XIV; see our article on that rule in this series and our guide on how to file Form XIV. If you want your work entered, our copyright registration team can prepare and file the application.
Rule 69(1): physical and electronic, six parts
"The Register of Copyrights shall be kept in physical and electronic form in six parts, namely:"
| Part | Class of work |
|---|---|
| I | Literary works other than computer programmes, tables and compilations including computer data bases, and dramatic works |
| II | Musical works |
| III | Artistic works |
| IV | Cinematograph films |
| V | Sound recordings |
| VI | Computer programmes, tables and compilations including computer data bases |
Three things to note.
- Dual form. The text requires both a physical and an electronic Register. It does not say which prevails if they differ.
- Literary and dramatic works share Part I. The rule groups dramatic works with literary works, but carves out computer programmes, tables and compilations, which go to Part VI.
- Computer programmes have their own Part. A software application is therefore entered in Part VI, not Part I. For registering software, see our guide on copyright registration for software and computer programs.
The parts match the classes of works named in Form I and the Form XIV statement: literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematograph film and sound recording, with computer programmes handled separately.
Rule 69(2): Form XIII
"The Register of Copyrights shall contain the particulars specified in Form-XIII." Form XIII is headed "Form of Register of Copyrights" and is marked "See rule 69". It lists fifteen entries:
| No. | Entry |
|---|---|
| 1 | Registration number |
| 2 | Name, address and nationality of the applicant |
| 3 | Nature of the applicant's interest in the copyright of the work |
| 4 | Class and description of the work |
| 5 | Title of the work |
| 6 | Language of the work |
| 7 | Name, address and nationality of the author and, if the author is deceased, the date of his decease |
| 8 | Whether the work is published or unpublished |
| 9 | Year and country of first publication, and name, address and nationality of the publisher |
| 10 | Years and countries of subsequent publications, if any, and names, addresses and nationalities of the publishers |
| 11 | Names, addresses and nationalities of the owners of the various rights comprising the copyright and the extent of rights held by each, with particulars of assignments and licences, if any |
| 12 | Names, addresses and nationalities of other persons, if any, authorised to assign or license the rights; for an artistic work, the location of the original work |
| 13 | Architectural work (the year of completion of the work to be shown) |
| 14 | In case of artistic work, whether it is used or capable of being used in relation to any goods or services |
| 15 | Remarks, if any |
What the entries tell a reader
- Items 1 to 3 identify the entry and the applicant, and show whether the applicant is the author or has some other interest.
- Items 4 to 7 describe the work and the author.
- Items 8 to 10 record the publication history.
- Item 11 is the ownership map: who owns which rights, to what extent, and any assignments and licences. This links to the Act's rules on assignments and licences; see our guide on copyright assignment under sections 18 and 19.
- Item 12 names others who may assign or license, and for artistic works records where the original is located.
- Items 13 and 14 apply to architectural works and to artistic works used or capable of being used in relation to goods or services, matching the statement required by rule 70(6).
Who does what
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Supplies the particulars through Form XIV (and Form XV for changes) |
| Registrar of Copyrights | Keeps the Register in the six parts and enters the particulars |
| Public | Can inspect the Register under rule 73 |
An example
Priya Nair composes a Malayalam song and registers it. Her registration is entered in Part II (musical works). The entry shows her registration number, her name, address and nationality, her interest as author, the title and language, publication details if published, the rights she owns, and any assignment to a music company. A software company registering its billing application finds its entry in Part VI. If a work's ownership later changes by assignment, the particulars in item 11 are the ones to update through an application for changes in particulars (Form XV); see our article on rules 71 and 72 in this series.
What rule 69 does not say
- Whether the electronic Register or the physical Register prevails.
- Who maintains the electronic version, or where it can be viewed (rule 73 deals with inspection).
- Any fee; the fees for registration and inspection are in the Second Schedule.
- Any mention of the Board.
- How the Register is divided in practice beyond the six Parts.
Need help with an entry in the Register?
If your work is not yet entered, or an entry needs to be corrected, we can prepare the application and the supporting papers. Speak to our copyright registration team.
Key takeaways
- The Register of Copyrights is kept in physical and electronic form in six parts, by class of work.
- Computer programmes, tables and compilations have their own Part VI.
- Form XIII sets fifteen entries, from registration number to remarks.
- Item 11 records who owns which rights and any assignments and licences.
- The text is as notified in 2013 with the 2016 amendment; check later amendments.
Read next
- Rule 70: application for registration of copyright
- Rules 73–74: inspection of register and copies and extracts
- Sections 46–48: indexes, inspection and the Register as prima facie evidence
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.