Rules 71 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 71 lets the Registrar of Copyrights amend or alter entries in the Register, on his own motion or on an application, after giving the person affected a chance to show cause, and requires him to rectify entries after an order on a section 50 application. Rule 72 sets up the indexes of the Register: two general indexes and two language-wise indexes for each part.
The Registrar of Copyrights may amend or alter entries specified in section 49, either on his own motion or on application by an interested person, after giving the affected person, wherever practicable, a chance to show cause, and must tell that person what was done. He must rectify entries after an order of the Board on his own application under section 50. A change sought by the owner is filed in Form XV (rule 70(1)). Four indexes are kept for each part, in physical and electronic form.
The Board caution
Rule 71(2) speaks of "an order ... passed by the Board" on an application under section 50. That is the text as notified in 2013. The Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 abolished the Board at Act level and moved the section 50 function to the High Court (see the Appellate Board provisions after 2021). These Rules have not been checked here for a matching amendment, so read rule 71(2) as referring to the court order the amended section 50 provides for. Rule 71(1) and rule 72 do not mention the Board. If an entry is wrong and you need it fixed, our copyright registration team can help with the application.
Which sections the rules serve
Rule 71 serves section 49 (correction of entries) and section 50 (rectification), and rule 72 serves section 46 (indexes). See our articles on sections 49 to 50A and sections 46 to 48.
Rule 71(1): amendment by the Registrar
"The Registrar of Copyrights may, either suo motu or on application of any interested person, amend, or alter the Register of Copyrights for the entries specified in section 49, after giving, wherever practicable, to the person affected by such amendment or alteration, an opportunity to show cause against such amendment or alteration, and communicate to such person the amendment or alteration so made."
| Element | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Who acts | The Registrar of Copyrights |
| Trigger | Own motion, or application by any interested person |
| Scope | The entries specified in section 49 |
| Safeguard | Opportunity to show cause, "wherever practicable", to the person affected |
| After the change | Communicate the amendment to that person |
The scope is tied to section 49. The rule does not list the entries itself; the Act does. The words "wherever practicable" soften the hearing duty, and the text does not say when a hearing is not practicable.
Form XV: the owner's application
Rule 70(1) provides that an application "for registration of changes in the particulars of copyright entered in the Register" shall be made in Form XV, one work only, with the Second Schedule fee. Form XV itself is marked "", although rule 71 does not name the form; the link is through rule 70(1). Form XV:
- is a letter to the Registrar asking for changes in the existing entries as set out in the enclosed statement;
- records that copies were sent by registered post to the other parties concerned (the form refers to columns 7, 11, 12 and 13 of the Register), with date of dispatch;
- records the fee paid, a contact address, a declaration that no one else has a claim, and a verification;
- has a Statement of Particulars giving the registration number and a table with four columns: the Register column number, the existing entry, the proposed entry in its place, and reasons for the change; and
- notes that where the changes follow an assignment or licence, attested copies of the deeds should be enclosed.
Drafting slip. The printed form says "Commissioner on subject may be addressed to" where "Communications" is meant.
Fees (as notified in 2013; check the current Schedule)
| Application for change in particulars (Second Schedule) | Fee |
|---|---|
| Literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (entry 10(a)) | Rs. 200 per work |
| Literary or artistic work used or capable of being used in relation to any goods (entry 10(b)) | Rs. 1,000 per work |
| Cinematograph film (entry 12) | Rs. 2,000 per work |
| Sound recording (entry 14) | Rs. 1,000 per work |
Rule 71(2): rectification after a section 50 order
"The Registrar of Copyrights shall rectify the entries made in the Register of Copyrights after an order is being passed by the Board on an application made by the Registrar of Copyrights in this behalf under section 50."
Read plainly: where the Registrar has applied under section 50 and an order is passed, he must rectify the Register to match it. The rule is a duty to give effect to the order. It says nothing about who else may apply under section 50, nor about timing. The 2016 footnote near this rule belongs to rule 70(11), not rule 71; see our article on rule 70.
Rule 72: indexes
Sub-rule (1). "There shall be kept at the Copyright Office the following indexes both in physical and electronic form for each part of the Register of Copyrights":
- a general Author Index;
- a general Title Index;
- an Author Index of works in each language; and
- a Title Index of works in each language.
Sub-rule (2). "Every Index shall be arranged alphabetically in the form of cards."
So for each of the six parts (see our article on rule 69), four indexes are kept. Sub-rule (2) speaks of "cards" even though sub-rule (1) also requires an electronic form; the text does not say how the card requirement applies to the electronic index. Anyone searching by author or title uses these indexes, and inspection is covered in rules 73 and 74.
An example
Meera Shah registered a musical work with a music company as assignee of the performing right. Later the company assigns that right to another owner. Meera, as an interested person, finds the Register still shows the old owner. She files Form XV, with attested copies of the assignment deed, a proposed entry for item 11 and her reasons, pays the entry 10(a) fee as notified in 2013, and sends notices to the other parties. Separately, if the Registrar considered an entry wrong on his own motion, he would first invite the person affected to show cause where practicable and then communicate the change.
What the rules do not say
- No time limit for the Registrar to decide an application for correction.
- No fee for a Registrar-initiated amendment.
- No definition of "interested person".
- No further detail on the indexes beyond the four listed.
Need help correcting an entry?
An outdated entry in the Register can cloud ownership. Our copyright registration team can prepare the Form XV application and the supporting deeds.
Key takeaways
- The Registrar may amend entries specified in section 49, on his own motion or on application, after a chance to show cause where practicable.
- He must rectify entries after an order on his section 50 application; the Board's role there has moved to the High Court under the 2021 Act.
- Owner changes are filed in Form XV, with attested copies of deeds where assignments or licences are involved.
- Four indexes are kept for each part, in physical and electronic form.
- The text is as notified in 2013 with the 2016 amendment; check later amendments and fees.
Read next
- Rules 73–74: inspection of register and copies and extracts
- Rule 70: application for registration of copyright
- How to cancel or surrender a copyright registration
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.