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What Copyright Protects
Under the Copyright Act, 1957, copyright subsists automatically upon creation — registration provides prima facie evidence of ownership.
Literary Works
Books, articles, software code and other written works.
Artistic Works
Paintings, drawings, logos, photographs and sculptures.
Musical Works
Original musical compositions, including notations.
Dramatic Works
Scripts, screenplays and choreographic works.
Cinematograph Films
Films, videos and other audio-visual works.
Sound Recordings
Original audio recordings, regardless of the medium.
Copyright vs Trademark vs Patent
Three distinct forms of intellectual property, each protecting a different kind of asset.
| Basis | Copyright | Trademark | Patent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A legal right that protects original literary, artistic, musical and other creative works from unauthorised use. | A distinctive word, symbol or design that identifies and distinguishes a business's goods or services from its competitors. | A form of intellectual property that guards a new invention for a limited period, letting the owner exclude others from using it. |
| Protection Given For | Books, music, films, software, paintings, photographs and other original creative works. | Brand names, logos, taglines, colours, fonts and designs that identify a business. | New inventions, processes, machines and technical improvements with industrial application. |
| Significance | Expression of Ideas | Identification of Brand | Protection of Invention |
| Governed By | Copyright Act, 1957 | Trade Marks Act, 1999 | Patents Act, 1970 |
| Requirements of Registration | The work must be original, creative and fixed in a tangible form. | The mark must be distinctive and capable of graphical representation. | The invention must be new, non-obvious and industrially applicable. |
| Exclusions | Others cannot copy, distribute or reproduce the work without the creator's permission. | Others cannot use an identical or deceptively similar mark for related goods or services. | Others cannot make, use, sell or import the invention without authorisation. |
| Validity Term | Lifetime of the author plus 60 years. | 10 years from registration, renewable indefinitely. | 20 years from the date of filing. |
| Rights Provided | Right to reproduce, distribute, license and prevent unauthorised copying of the work. | Exclusive right to use the mark and stop infringing use by any third party. | Exclusive right to stop others from producing, selling, using or importing the patented invention. |
How Copyright Registration Works
From application to certificate, in five simple steps.
Fill the Form & Make the Payment
Share your work details and complete the registration payment online.
Call From a Dedicated Copyright Expert
Our expert calls you to understand your work and requirements.
Experts Receive Your Details & Documents
We collect your concept details and the necessary supporting documents.
Copyright Experts File Your Application
Our team files Form XIV with the Copyright Office on your behalf.
Congratulations! Your Copyright Is Applied
Your copyright application is successfully submitted and under process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Copyright registration is governed by the Copyright Act, 1957 and administered by the Copyright Office, Government of India.