Copyright Registration —
Protect Every Creative
Work You Create
Copyright subsists automatically in original creative works — but registration with the Copyright Office creates an official public record, serves as prima facie evidence of ownership in court, and is essential for enforcing rights against infringers. TaxClue files copyright registrations for all categories of works with the Copyright Office, New Delhi.
Register Your Copyright
Application filed within ✅ 3–5 working days
3 Reasons to Register Copyright — Even Though It Exists Automatically
Copyright subsists automatically on creation under Section 13 of the Copyright Act, 1957 — but automatic protection is not the same as enforceable protection.
Prima Facie Evidence in Court
A registered copyright certificate is prima facie evidence of ownership in any legal proceeding. Without registration, you must independently prove creation, authorship, and date of first publication — often difficult and expensive in infringement litigation. Registration shifts the burden of proof to the infringer.
Section 48, Copyright ActEnables Enforcement & Notice
Registration creates a public record in the Copyright Register — putting the world on notice of your ownership. Many online platforms (YouTube, social media, stock agencies) require copyright registration details for DMCA / takedown notices. Registered works also qualify for statutory damages in infringement suits without needing to prove actual loss.
Public Record · Takedown NoticesCommercial & Licensing Value
Registered copyright is a tangible IP asset that can be licensed, assigned, and used as collateral for financing. Publishers, film studios, and investors require copyright registration certificates before entering licensing agreements. Startups building on creative IP need clean, registered ownership for due diligence.
Licensing · Assignment · Financing6 Categories of Copyrightable Works Under the Copyright Act, 1957
Section 13 of the Copyright Act specifies the categories of works in which copyright subsists. TaxClue handles registrations across all six.
Literary Works
Books, articles, blogs, poems, song lyrics, and non-dramatic textual works
Artistic Works
Paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, logos, and architecture
Musical Works
Compositions — notes, melody, harmony — separate from lyrics and sound recording
Dramatic Works
Plays, scripts, screenplays, choreography, and recitation pieces
Cinematographic Films
Movies, documentaries, web series, and any visual recording
Software & Computer Programmes
Source code, object code, applications, and databases
What the Copyright Registration Application Contains
Copyright registration in India is filed with the Copyright Office, New Delhi on Form XIV under Rule 70 of the Copyright Rules, 2013. The application is examined by the Registrar of Copyrights — a 30-day mandatory waiting period applies for third-party objections.
The application is examined for completeness and compliance. If no objection is received during the 30-day window and the application is in order, the Registrar issues an entry in the Register of Copyrights and a registration certificate is issued to the applicant.
Form XIV — Key Information Required
Registration Process — Step by Step
TaxClue handles the entire process — from application preparation to certificate delivery.
Work Details & Documents Collected
TaxClue collects author and owner details, title, category, publication details, and a copy of the work. NOC from the author if applicant is not the author.
Day 1Form XIV Prepared
Form XIV filled accurately with all required information. Power of Attorney / Authorisation letter prepared for applicant signature.
Day 1–2Filed with Copyright Office
Application filed online on the Copyright Office portal with copies of the work and all supporting documents. Government fee paid. Filing receipt received.
Day 3–530-Day Objection Window
Mandatory 30-day waiting period — any third party can file an objection. TaxClue monitors the diary entry. If an objection is filed, TaxClue responds on your behalf.
Day 5–35Examination by Registrar
Registrar examines the application for completeness and compliance. If discrepancies found, objection letter issued — TaxClue responds within the stipulated period.
1–3 monthsCertificate Issued
Entry made in the Register of Copyrights. Registration certificate issued — unique copyright registration number assigned. Certificate is prima facie evidence of ownership.
3–6 months totalAutomatic Copyright vs Registered Copyright — What's the Difference?
| Feature | Automatic Copyright (Unregistered) | Registered Copyright |
|---|---|---|
| When does it arise? | On creation of the work | On filing + certificate issuance |
| Evidence of ownership | Circumstantial — difficult to prove | Prima facie evidence (Sec. 48) |
| Court enforceability | Possible — but burden of proof on you | Strong — certificate is presumptive proof |
| Public record / notice | No public register | Entered in Register of Copyrights |
| DMCA / takedown notices | Possible but weaker | Certificate number cited — stronger |
| Licensing / assignment | Possible — title uncertain | Clean title — commercially bankable |
| Investor due diligence | Often insufficient | Satisfies IP due diligence requirement |
| International recognition | Berne Convention — automatic in 180+ countries | Berne + Indian registration certificate |
💰 Government Fees — Copyright Registration (Form XIV)
Copyright registration fees in India are among the lowest of any IP right. E-filing is available through the Copyright Office portal.
| Category of Work | Govt. Fee (per work) |
|---|---|
| Literary, Dramatic, Musical, or Artistic Work | ₹500 |
| Cinematographic Film | ₹5,000 |
| Sound Recording | ₹2,000 |
| Computer Programme / Software | ₹500 (treated as literary work) |
* Fee is per work. Joint works with multiple authors / owners — same fee. TaxClue's professional fee is quoted separately based on number of works and complexity.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
While copyright in India arises automatically on creation of an original work, the registered copyright certificate issued by the Copyright Office serves as prima facie evidence of ownership under Section 48 of the Copyright Act. Without registration, in an infringement proceeding you must prove independently: (1) that you created the work, (2) when you created it, and (3) that the infringing work is derived from yours — all of which can be expensive and uncertain. With a registration certificate, the court presumes you are the owner unless the other party proves otherwise. For commercial exploitation — licensing, publishing contracts, streaming deals — counterparties often require a certificate before entering into agreements.
For literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works: copyright lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 60 years from the year following death. For works of joint authorship, the 60-year period runs from the death of the last surviving author. For cinematographic films and sound recordings: 60 years from the year of publication. For government works and works of international organisations: 60 years from publication. Registration does not extend the term of copyright — it simply creates the public record and evidentiary advantage during whatever term applies to the work.
Yes — computer programmes are explicitly included in the definition of "literary work" under Section 2(o) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Source code, object code, and the overall structure and architecture of a programme can all be protected by copyright. The registration process is identical to literary works — Form XIV, ₹500 fee, and two copies of the code submitted (portions may be redacted for trade secret protection). Many software companies register their core codebases to create a dated public record of ownership, which is valuable in employee/contractor disputes and competitive copying situations. TaxClue advises on what portions of the code to include in the submission to balance protection and confidentiality.
India is a signatory to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Universal Copyright Convention. Under the Berne Convention, copyright automatically applies in all 180+ member countries without registration or any formality. This means your Indian-registered copyright provides protection in the US, UK, EU, Australia, and virtually every major country automatically. The Indian registration certificate is useful as evidence of ownership in foreign proceedings and for enforcement purposes — many foreign copyright lawyers recommend having a domestic registration certificate as part of an international enforcement strategy.
⚠️ Copyright Registration Mistakes to Avoid
These errors cause delays, objections, or certificates that don't adequately protect your work:
- Incorrectly identifying the owner — if the work was created by an employee or contractor, the employer / commissioning party may be the owner, not the individual creator
- Submitting an incomplete copy of the work — partial code submissions that omit key functional components may limit what the registration protects
- Mislabelling the work category — a software UI is an artistic work in addition to the underlying code being a literary work; registering only one leaves the other unprotected
- Not obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the author when the applicant is a different person or company — required for non-author applications
- Registering a work before it is finalised — registration protects the work as submitted; updates and new versions may need separate registration
- Assuming registration = no infringement risk — registration strengthens enforcement, it does not prevent copying
Complete IP Protection with TaxClue
Copyright Objection Reply
Received an objection to your copyright application? We respond and defend.
Learn More →Patent Prior Art Search
Protect inventions embedded in software and creative technology.
Learn More →Your Creative Work Deserves a Certificate — Not Just Automatic Protection
Automatic copyright is real but invisible. A registered certificate is evidence — in court, in licensing negotiations, and in investor due diligence. TaxClue files copyright registrations for all categories of creative work with the Copyright Office, typically within 3–5 working days.
🔒 Confidential · 4.9★ · All 6 Work Categories · Form XIV · ₹500 Govt. Fee (Literary) · Official Certificate · Berne 180+ Countries