Copyright Registration

Copyright is a legal right that grants creators of original works such as literary, artistic, musical, dramatic works, cinematographic films, and computer software, exclusive rights to use, reproduce, and distribute their creations. In India, copyright protection is governed by the Copyright Act, 1957.

Copyright automatically subsists upon creation which means that you have the right on your own work even if the registration is not done. However, registration provides conclusive evidence of ownership and simplifies the enforcement of rights in case of disputes. Thus, it is wise to obtain the registration to make things easier, organized and documented.

Why Register Your Copyright?

• Legal Evidence: Registered copyright serves as prima facie evidence in court.
• Public Record: It establishes your claim to ownership on a public record.
• Protection Against Infringement: Easier to enforce your rights and seek remedies.
• Commercial Benefits: Licensing, selling, or franchising becomes more streamlined with formal registration.

Our Copyright Registration Services

We offer end-to-end services including:

• Consultation: First of all, we will discuss with you regarding the work for which you intend to obtain copyright registration. The requirements for submitting the application are different for different types of works.
• Eligibility Test: After taking all the details from you, we will check the eligibility of obtaining copyright for your work. If your work qualifies for registration, we will initiate the process.  
• Documentation: We will collect all the necessary documents and details from you as per the nature of your work. After receiving all the details, we will start preparing for the application.
• Application Filing: After documentation process, we will procced for filing copyright applications with the Copyright Office in India. Once the application is filed, the office will provide us the Diary Number for the application. This can be used to check the status of application in the future.
• Follow-up: At regular intervals, we check the status of applications file by us. In case any objection or query is raised by the department, we will submit the formal reply. The reply generally contains additional documents or information in support of our application. If there is any deficiency in application, it is taken care of in the reply.
• Enforcement Support: We are always there to support you if you found someone using your copyrighted work without your permission. We will advise you on how to collect evidence and take action against the infringer.

Copyrightable Works

A work which is original creation of the author and is not copied or inspired from another existing work qualifies for copyright registration. The list of works for which protection is provided under the Copyright Act is provided below:

• Books, articles, and other literary works
• Paintings, sculptures, photographs
• Music compositions and sound recordings
• Cinematographic films and web series
• Computer programs, apps, and software
• Architectural designs

Non-Copyrightable Works

The Indian Copyright Act protects original expressions but it does not cover ideas, concepts, facts or procedures. Non-copyrightable material refers to content that cannot be protected by copyright law because it does not meet the necessary criteria. A list of works that are not eligible for registration is provided below:

• Works that Lack Originality: The first and foremost test is that of originality. If a work is the copy of another work or is inspired by work of someone else, it is not eligible due to lack of originality.
• Ideas, Procedures and Concepts: Copyright protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves. For example, a book or a manual explaining a procedure can be copyrighted but the procedure itself cannot be registered.  
• Facts and Data: The facts or data cannot be copyrighted as they are not creations of authorship. They are mere discoveries or collection of data and not original work.
• Works in the Public Domain: The work that is commonly known information such as historical events, scientific methods etc. are not copyrightable. However, the specific way in which these facts or events are presented or arranged can be copyrightable.
• Short Phrases, Slogans, and Titles: Copyright does not protect short phrases, slogans, or titles in isolation. For instance, is a book has been copyrighted the content of the book gets protection but not necessarily its title. Book titles can be protected under trademark law if they meet the requirements, such as being distinctive and capable of distinguishing the book from others.

Why Choose Exemplar IP Attorneys?

• Expertise: Specialized team of copyright attorneys with in-depth industry knowledge.
• Efficiency: Streamlined processes to ensure timely registration.
• Personalized Service: Tailored advice based on your specific needs.
• Enforcement Support: Guidance on infringement actions and dispute resolution.