Copyright Registration

Copyright registration is an intellectual property right just like a trademark and patent. It is basically a legal right which is provided to the creators for their unique work.

Copyright falls under the auspices of intellectual property law and protects the rights of creators of original works of authorship whether the work in question is published or not.

Original works of authorship include literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and photography.

Copyright works include books, sound recordings, music, artistic work, cinematographic films, dramatic, computer programs, databases, advertisements, and paintings.

Any Individual or business entity can apply for copyright registration. Author, creator, musician, photographer, producer, painter, composer, or a company may safeguard their creatives with using this legal power.

By law, when something is written, drawn, photographed, etc., its copyright is automatically owned by the author. In other words, a copyright exists at the moment the work is created.

Registering a copyright with the Copyright Office is voluntary. Copyright protection exists even without registration;

However, your work must be registered before you can file a copyright infringement legal case in a court.

In addition, registration of copyright makes it easier to prove ownership of your work in the event of an infringement and allows you to collect more in damages from the infringer/theft.

The main a difference between a patent and copyright is on the basis of their objective. The patent protects an invention of a new product or a process, from being stolen by others and to facilitate commercialization of its use by the inventor. On the other side, copyright protects original works, e.g. literary works, videos, music records, artistic works, architecture, software etc. from being plagiarized.

Copyright registration to secure your original work from theft or undue advantage. Having copyright your original work give evidence that this particular work belongs to you only.

• Can use the copyright logo.
• Makes it easier to prove ownership of your work in the event of an infringement and plagiarism.
• Can file a copyright infringement legal case in a court.
• Allows you to collect more in damages from the infringer/theft.
• One time cost, lifetime protection.

Copyright Registration under Indian Copyright Act is valid only within the borders of the country.

However, To secure protection to Indian works in foreign countries, India has become a member of the following international conventions on copyright and neighboring (related) rights:

• Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.
• Universal Copyright Convention.
• Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms against Unauthorised Duplication of their Phonograms.
• Multilateral Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Copyright Royalties.
• Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

Now, Your original work register under India Copyright office shall be protected under 176 countries.