Sections 67 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.
These three sections are the minor offences of Chapter XIII. Section 67 punishes false entries in the Register of Copyrights and the use of false entries as evidence. Section 68 punished false statements made to deceive or influence an authority or officer, but the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 omits it. Section 68A punishes publishing a sound recording or video film in contravention of section 52A. If you face a charge or a Register dispute, legal dispute resolution advice is advisable.
Section 67: making a false entry in the Register, a writing falsely purporting to be a copy of an entry, or producing such an entry or writing as evidence knowing it to be false, is punishable with imprisonment up to one year, or fine, or both. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 provides for the omission of section 67; check whether that amendment has been brought into force. Section 68 (false statements to authorities) is omitted by the 2023 Act. Section 68A: publishing a sound recording or video film in contravention of section 52A is punishable with imprisonment up to three years and liability to fine.
Section 67: false entries in the Register
The section as printed reads: "Any person who,— (a) makes or causes to be made a false entry in the Register of Copyrights kept under this Act, or (b) makes or causes to be made a writing falsely purporting to be a copy of any entry in such register, or (c) produces or tenders or causes to be produced or tendered as evidence any such entry or writing, knowing the same to be false, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both."
| Clause | Act |
|---|---|
| (a) | Makes, or causes to be made, a false entry in the Register of Copyrights |
| (b) | Makes, or causes to be made, a writing falsely purporting to be a copy of any entry in the Register |
| (c) | Produces or tenders, or causes to be produced or tendered, as evidence any such entry or writing, knowing the same to be false |
The punishment is imprisonment up to one year, or fine, or both; no minimum and no amount of fine is stated. The words "knowing the same to be false" sit at the end of clause (c). On their position they most clearly qualify clause (c); the text does not say expressly whether clauses (a) and (b) require knowledge. Check the official text.
Status after the 2026 Act. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 provides for the omission of section 67; check whether that amendment has been brought into force. The 2026 Act takes effect on the date or dates notified by the Central Government, and the sources consulted do not show a notification for this item. Until you confirm, treat the section as it is printed above.
Why it matters. Section 48 makes the Register prima facie evidence and makes certified, sealed copies admissible in all courts. Section 67 backs that trust by penalising false entries and false copies; see sections 46 to 48.
Example. Kabir Saxena prepares a typed page headed as an extract from the Register, showing himself as owner of a song, and files it in a suit knowing it is false. Clause (b) (making a writing falsely purporting to be a copy) and clause (c) (tendering it as evidence knowing it to be false) are both in point.
Section 68: false statements (omitted)
The section as printed in the Act text reads: "Any person who,— (a) with a view to deceiving any authority or officer in the execution of the provisions of this Act, or (b) with a view to procuring or influencing the doing or omission of anything in relation to this Act or any matter thereunder, makes a false statement or representation knowing the same to be false, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both."
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, in item 13 of its Schedule for the Copyright Act, 1957, says: "Section 68 shall be omitted." Section 68 therefore stands omitted, and the old text above is given only so that older documents and notices can be understood. The printed Act text consulted pre-dates that omission and still shows it. This article does not state a commencement date for the 2023 Act, as the item read does not give one.
Section 68A: penalty for contravening section 52A
Section 68A was inserted by Act 65 of 1984 (w.e.f. 8-10-1984), and the words "sound recording" replaced "record" by Act 38 of 1994 (w.e.f. 10-5-1995), as the footnotes state.
"Any person who publishes a sound recording or a video film in contravention of the provisions of section 52A shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine."
| Element | Text |
|---|---|
| Who | "Any person who publishes" |
| What | A sound recording or a video film |
| Contravention | Of section 52A (the particulars to be displayed) |
| Imprisonment | May extend to three years (no minimum) |
| Fine | "Shall also be liable to fine" (no amount stated) |
Section 68A has no "knowingly" requirement on its face. What section 52A requires (the maker's and owner's names and addresses, the year of first publication, the certificate and declaration for video films) is explained in section 52A.
Example. Moonbeam Records publishes a CD without the copyright owner's name and address or the year of first publication on the disc and the container. That is a publication in contravention of section 52A(1), and section 68A provides the penalty.
The three sections compared
| Section 67 | Section 68 | Section 68A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct | False entry, false copy, tendering as evidence | False statement to deceive or influence authorities | Publishing sound recording or video film in breach of s.52A |
| Imprisonment | Up to one year | Up to one year (old text) | Up to three years |
| Fine | Alternative or additional | Alternative or additional (old text) | In addition (liable to fine) |
| Status | 2026 Act provides for omission; check if in force | Omitted by the 2023 Act | In force on the text consulted |
For offences by companies and who may try them, see sections 69 and 70.
Need help with a charge or a Register issue?
If a false entry or a section 52A lapse is alleged against you, or you suspect a forged extract has been filed against you, our legal dispute resolution team can examine the document trail and advise on the next step.
Key takeaways
- Section 67 punishes false entries in the Register, false copies and tendering them as evidence, with up to one year, or fine, or both.
- The 2026 Act provides for the omission of section 67; check whether that amendment has been brought into force.
- Section 68 (false statements to authorities) stands omitted by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.
- Section 68A punishes publishing a sound recording or video film in breach of section 52A: up to three years and liability to fine.
Read next
- Section 52A: particulars on sound recordings and video films
- Sections 69–70: offences by companies and cognizance
- Sections 46–48: indexes, inspection and the Register as prima facie evidence
- Criminal penalties for copyright infringement: section 63
Disclaimer: Based on the Copyright Act, 1957 as amended up to 2012, read with the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Acts of 2023 and 2026, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Forms, fees and procedure are set by the Copyright Rules, 2013 as amended from time to time. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.