Copyright is special right given to the creator of an original work for a stipulated period of time. In India Copyright registration is in effect after the enactment of The Copyright Act, 1957 with five amendments till 1999. The Copyright Act in India is drafted in compliance with many International treaties and convention, especially ‘THE BERNE CONVENTION’.

Importance of Copyright Registration: This is the most beneficial & advantageous feature of copyright is that, even though the right is territorial, due to the International treaties it has become an International right. If an author or owner registers his work in India will get right against all the 164 countries. Other Intellectual Property rights such as Trademark and patent do not have this aspect of Copyright.

TIME PERIOD FOR REGISTRATION – Varies from 2 to 3 years based on various factors. Process is mostly delayed as there is only one Copyright Registry for all over India.

VALIDITY OF COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION – Life time of the author plus sixty years from the date of death of the author.

Authorship and Ownership of Copyrights are two distinct concepts.

Each person has its own right. As regarding ownership of the Copyright, the author of a work, the person who creates it shall be the author as well as the owner.

If a work is done in the course of employment, the ownership will pass on to the employer.  Under a contract of service or apprenticeship, the person at whose organization the work is done is the owner of the copyright.

If a work is done for the Government authority, the copyright ownership will be with the Government.

• Right to reproduce the work, issue copies
• Right to make translation and adaptation
• Right to Perform in Public
• Right to sell or rent the work
• Right to assign and relinquishment
• Right to sue the infringer and claim damages
• The other advantages are economic right and moral right.