List of documents required for a copyright registration

by Bizopedia · Published February 16, 2021 · Updated December 24, 2021

Meaning of copyright (symbol ©)

Copyright(symbol ©) is a right given to the holder which protects its work from being copied by others. Copyright is usually given to the creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works and the producers of cinematograph films and sound recordings.

Copyright act

The copyright act, 1957 governs the subject of copyright (symbol ©) in India. This act has been applicable since 21st January, 1958. The copyright act, 1957 protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works and cinematograph films and sound recordings from unauthorized uses.

Copyright (symbol ©) registration

Though it is not mandatory to register a copyright in India. But, it is always advisable to do the same as it helps in prevention of monetary loss arising out of copied products in future and also provides a legal safeguard for a registered copyright.

Filing of copyright application
Inspection of trademark application
Registration of copyright

In our previous article on the copyright registration process in India, we have discussed in detail about each step to be followed for a copyright registration in India. In this article, we would discuss various documents that are required to be sent along with a copyright application.

Documents required for copyright application

Copyright application can be filed mainly in 3 ways. These are either filing physically at the copyright office, sending a copy of application through speed post or filing application online on the official copyright(symbol ©) portal .

Let us look at various documents required with each class of work-

Documents required for a artistic work copyright registration

2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
NOC from author if applicant is different from author.
NOC from publisher if work published and publisher is different from
applicant.
Search Certificate from Trade Mark Office (TM -60) if the work is being
used on goods or capable of being used on the goods.
NOC from the person whose photograph appears on the work.
If the application is being filed through attorney , a specific Power of
Attorney in original duly signed by the applicant and accepted by the
attorney

Documents required for a cinematograph film copyright registration

2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
NOC from various copyright holders or copy of agreement (deed of
assignment).
NOC from publisher if work published and publisher is different from
applicant.
If the application is being filed through attorney , a specific Power of
Attorney in original duly signed by the applicant and accepted by the
attorney

Documents required for a musical work copyright registration

2 Copies of work (Graphical Notes)
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
NOC from publisher if work published and publisher is different from
applicant.
NOC from author if applicant is other than author.
If the application is being filed through attorney, a specific Power of
Attorney in original duly signed by the applicant and accepted by the
attorney

Documents required for a literary/dramatic work copyright registration

2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
NOC from publisher if applicant is other than publisher and work is
published.
NOC from author if applicant is other than author.
If the application is being filed through attorney , a specific Power of
Attorney in original duly signed by the applicant and accepted by the
attorney

Documents required for a sound recording copyright registration

2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
NOC from various copyright holders or copy of agreement (deed of
assignment).
NOC from publisher if work published and publisher is different from
applicant.
If the application is being filed through attorney , a specific Power of
Attorney in original duly signed by the applicant and accepted by the
attorney

2 Copies of work
DD/IPO of Rs. (as applicable) per work
NOC from author if author is different from applicant.
NOC from publisher if work is published and publisher is different from
applicant.
If the application is being filed through attorney , a specific Power of
Attorney in original duly signed by the applicant and accepted by the
attorney
Source code and object code of work for verification.

In this article, we have discussed in detail about different documents that are required for a copyright (symbol ©) registration in India. It is to be noted that registration of copyright (symbol ©) is not mandatory in india. However, a registered copyright offers many advantages over an unregistered one.

You have to keep in mind that registration for a copyright (symbol ©) is a lengthy and time consuming process. It has been seen that a sample copyright registration process usually takes anywhere between 6 to 12 month on average. Your copyright application would be examined by a copyright examiner.

Examiner would go through each and every part of your application detail and would raise a letter of discrepancy if any defects are found in the application. It is observed that lack of proper documents are one of the main reasons for getting a letter of discrepancy. This risk can be reduced by carefully evaluating and vetting all documents before submitting your copyright application to the authority.

There is no harm in consulting a professional copyright expert in filing a copyright application on behalf of you. You can take their advice even if you want to file a copyright (symbol ©) application yourself. As we have seen earlier, how conducting an external trademark search has many advantages over conducting an internal trademark search. Similarly, a copyright application prepared by a professional company would offer a huge advantage over doing it all by yourself.

Moreover, it is always advisable to visit the official copyright portal hosted by the government to get the latest information about recent developments in the field of copyright in India.

If you are also interested in trademark and trademark search for your products and services then you don’t need to go anywhere else. We have curated a list of educational articles for you-