Copyright Registration in India — Process, Cost, Timeline (2026)
Copyright registration in India 2026: Form XIV online, govt fee ₹500 per work (₹2,000 sound, ₹5,000 film), 30-day objection wait, documents. From ₹3,599.
Copyright registration in India is done online on copyright.gov.in by filing Form XIV (Rule 70 of the Copyright Rules, 2013) with the government fee: ₹500 per literary, dramatic, musical, artistic or software work, ₹2,000 for a sound recording or for artwork used on goods, and ₹5,000 for a film. After a diary number is issued, there is a 30-day window for objections before the Registrar examines the work and enters it in the Register of Copyrights.
Copyright protects original literary, musical, artistic, and software works. In India, copyright is automatic upon creation, but registration gives you stronger legal protection: the Register of Copyrights is prima facie evidence in court. In this guide, updated for October 2026, we cover the copyright registration process, official fees, documents, timeline, common objections and benefits.
What is Copyright?
Copyright is a legal right that protects original creative works. In India, copyright is governed by the Copyright Act, 1957. Copyright is automatic upon creation — no registration required. But registration gives you stronger evidence + legal recourse.
What Can Be Copyrighted?
- Literary works — books, articles, scripts, lyrics, software code, databases
- Musical works — compositions and notation (a recording of the music is a separate sound recording)
- Artistic works — paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, maps, charts
- Dramatic works — plays, choreography
- Cinematographic films + sound recordings
- Computer software + programs
- Websites (as a compilation)
- Architectural works and plans (artistic works)
What Cannot Be Copyrighted?
- Ideas (only the expression is protected)
- Facts (only the compilation is protected)
- Names, titles, slogans (use trademark for these)
- Methods, processes, systems (use patent for these)
- Works that are not original, or copied from someone else
- Government works (some exceptions)
Benefits of Copyright Registration
- Strong legal evidence of ownership + creation date (the Register of Copyrights is prima facie evidence under Section 48)
- Right to sue for infringement + claim damages
- Easier criminal enforcement: knowing infringement is punishable under Section 63 with 6 months to 3 years' imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000
- Deterrent to potential infringers
- Makes infringement suits and takedown requests faster to prove, since the certified entry is admissible without further proof
- May be required for licensing + assignment
- Can be used as collateral for loans (in some cases)
- Global recognition (Berne Convention)
Copyright Registration Process
Step 1: Prepare Application
Apply on the Copyright Office portal (copyright.gov.in). Fill Form XIV with: work details, author details, date of creation, publication status.
Step 2: Upload Work Sample
Upload a copy of the work. For software, file under the Software category and include at least the first 10 and last 10 pages of source code. For an unpublished work, two copies of the work accompany the application. PDF / DOC preferred. One application covers one work.
Step 3: Pay Fee
Pay online: ₹500 per work (literary / dramatic / musical / artistic, including software). ₹2,000 for a sound recording or for a literary or artistic work used in relation to goods or services. ₹5,000 for a cinematograph film.
Step 4: 30-Day Objection Window, Then Examination
Once the diary number is issued, interested persons have 30 days to object. If no objection is received, the Copyright Registrar examines the application. Examination: 6-12 months typically. If the examiner raises a discrepancy, you reply in writing, and the Registrar must give a hearing before rejecting an application.
Step 5: Registration Certificate
If no objections, the Registrar enters the work in the Register of Copyrights and issues the extract (registration certificate). Copyright in literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works lasts for the author's lifetime + 60 years. For films and sound recordings it lasts 60 years from the year after publication.
Cost
| Work Type | Government Fee (per work) | Our Service Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Literary / Artistic / Musical | ₹500 | From ₹3,599 |
| Software / Computer Program | ₹500 | From ₹3,599 |
| Literary or artistic work used on goods or services (e.g., logo artwork) | ₹2,000 | From ₹3,599 |
| Sound Recording | ₹2,000 | From ₹3,599 |
| Cinematograph Film | ₹5,000 | From ₹3,599 |
| Drama / Choreography | ₹500 | From ₹3,599 |
Government fees are as listed by the Copyright Office under the Second Schedule to the Copyright Rules, 2013, and are paid at actuals. Our fee excludes GST.
Documents Checklist
- Copy of the work (two copies if unpublished); for software, the first and last 10 pages of source code
- Applicant's identity and address proof; for a company or LLP, its incorporation certificate and PAN
- No-objection certificate from the author if the applicant is not the author
- Assignment deed or employment/commission agreement if the work was bought or made for you
- Publisher's NOC if the work is published and the publisher is a different person
- For artwork used on goods or services (such as logo art): a certificate from the Trade Marks Registry that no identical or deceptively similar mark is registered or applied for, as required by the proviso to Section 45(1)
- Power of attorney if an agent files for you
Common Objections and How to Avoid Them
- Applicant is not the author and no NOC or assignment is attached
- Logo artwork filed without the Trade Marks Registry search certificate
- Wrong category chosen (for example, software filed as a plain literary work)
- Work sample does not match the title or description in Form XIV
- Third-party content (photos, music, code libraries) used without a licence
Timeline
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application filing | 1 day |
| Diary number (acknowledgment) | 1-3 days |
| Examination | 6-12 months |
| Mandatory objection window | 30 days from the diary number |
| Discrepancy letter (if any) | Reply within the time given in the letter, usually 30 days |
| Registration | 1-2 months after clearance |
| Total | 8-18 months (typical) |
Difference between Copyright and Trademark
| Parameter | Copyright | Trademark |
|---|---|---|
| Protects | Original creative works | Brand names, logos, taglines |
| Duration | Author lifetime + 60 years | 10 years (renewable) |
| Registration | Optional (but recommended) | Strongly recommended |
| Government fee | ₹500 per work (₹2,000 for artwork used on goods) | ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises; ₹9,000 for others |
| Symbols | © (unregistered) / © (registered) | ™ (unregistered) / ® (registered) |
| Examples | Books, music, software, art | Nike®, Apple®, Zomato® |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is copyright registration mandatory in India?
A: No. Copyright is automatic upon creation. But registration gives stronger evidence + legal recourse. We recommend registration for any commercial work.
Q: How long is copyright valid?
A: For literary, musical, artistic works: lifetime of the author + 60 years. For films, sound recordings: 60 years from publication. After expiry, the work enters the public domain.
Q: Can I copyright a website?
A: Yes, as a compilation. The individual elements (text, images, code) are copyrighted separately. The compilation (the way they are arranged) is also copyrighted.
Q: Can I copyright a logo?
A: Logos can be protected by both trademark and copyright. Trademark protects the brand identity (used commercially). Copyright protects the original artistic creation. Because a logo is used on goods or services, the copyright application costs ₹2,000 and needs a search certificate from the Trade Marks Registry showing no identical or similar mark is registered or pending.
Q: What is the copyright registration fee in India in 2026?
A: The government fee is ₹500 per work for literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, including software. It is ₹2,000 for a sound recording or for artwork used on goods or services, and ₹5,000 for a cinematograph film. CorporateWalla's professional fee starts at ₹3,599 plus GST, with government fees at actuals.
Q: How long does copyright registration take in India?
A: The diary number is issued on filing. Then there is a mandatory 30-day window for objections, after which the application is examined. In practice examination and registration take several months, commonly 6 to 12, and longer if the examiner raises a discrepancy that needs a reply or hearing.
Q: What is the 30-day objection period?
A: After the diary number is issued, anyone with an interest in the work has 30 days to object to the registration. If no objection is received, the Registrar moves to examination. If an objection is filed, both sides are heard before the Registrar decides, which adds time to the process.
Q: Can software be copyrighted in India?
A: Yes. A computer programme is a literary work under the Copyright Act, but it is filed under the Software category. You submit at least the first 10 and last 10 pages of the source code with Form XIV, and pay ₹500 per programme. Each separate programme needs its own application, since one application covers one work.
Q: Can a company register copyright?
A: Yes. A company, LLP or firm can apply as owner where the work was made by employees in the course of employment or was assigned to it in writing. The application then needs the author's NOC or the assignment deed, and is signed by an authorised signatory of the company.
Q: How do I check my copyright application status?
A: Use the diary number issued when you filed. On copyright.gov.in, the status search shows whether the application is in the 30-day objection window, under examination, has a discrepancy letter pending or has been registered. Discrepancy letters are also emailed, so check the inbox given in Form XIV and reply within the time stated.
Q: Can I use the © symbol without registering?
A: Yes. Copyright exists from the moment an original work is created, and Indian law does not require registration before you mark a work with ©, your name and the year. Registration adds evidence: the certified entry in the Register of Copyrights is prima facie proof of the particulars recorded in it under Section 48.
Worked Example: What a Startup Pays
A startup wants to register three works: the artwork of its logo, which is used on its products and packaging; the source code of its app; and its product brochure. Government fees: ₹2,000 for the logo artwork (used on goods, with the Trade Marks Registry search certificate), ₹500 for the software and ₹500 for the brochure as a literary work, so ₹3,000 in all. Each is a separate Form XIV application with its own diary number. The brand name itself is not protected by copyright; it needs a trademark application.
Protecting a brand name or logo as well? Read the trademark registration guide or compare the three rights in trademark vs copyright vs patent. To protect the brand itself, see trademark registration.
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