# Copyright Registration, Assignment & Licensing

> Copyright in original literary (including software), artistic, musical, dramatic and cinematographic works exists automatically, but registration with the Copyright Office gives you a certificate that is prima facie evidence in a dispute. Applications are filed online; after a 30-day period for objections the work is examined and entered in the Register of Copyrights. For most works, copyright lasts for the author's lifetime plus 60 years.

Practice: Trademark, Copyright & Patents — https://www.industax.com/services/trademark-ip/

Software companies register source code as a literary work; content businesses register books, courses and videos; brands register logos as artistic works in addition to trademarks.

Ownership needs care: work created by employees in the course of employment usually belongs to the employer, but work by freelancers or founders before incorporation needs a written assignment. Under Section 19 an assignment must be in writing; if it doesn't state the duration or territory, it is presumed to be five years and India only.

## Key facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Law | Copyright Act, 1957 |
| Registration | Online with the Copyright Office; 30-day objection period |
| Duration (most works) | Author's life + 60 years |
| Assignment | In writing; default 5 years and India if not specified (Section 19) |

## Who needs this

- Software and SaaS companies
- Authors, creators, musicians and designers
- Businesses commissioning work from freelancers

## What's included

- Work classification and application
- Responses to objections
- Assignment and licence agreements

## Documents

- Copy of the work (or source code extract)
- Author and owner details
- Assignment / NOC from the author if different from the applicant

## Process

1. **Prepare** — Work, authorship and ownership documented.
2. **File** — Application filed online.
3. **Examine** — Objections handled; registration issued.

## Also covers

- **Copyright assignment** — Written assignment deeds that transfer ownership.
- **Copyright licensing** — Licences for use without transferring ownership.

## FAQs

### Is copyright registration mandatory in India?

No. Copyright exists automatically, but registration gives strong evidence of ownership in disputes.

### Can software be copyrighted in India?

Yes, as a literary work; the algorithm or idea itself is not protected, only its expression.

### Who owns work created by a freelancer?

The freelancer, unless the contract assigns copyright to you in writing.

## Official sources

- Copyright Office, Government of India: https://copyright.gov.in/

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Canonical page: https://www.industax.com/services/trademark-ip/copyright-registration
Publisher: Indus Tax — CA-led tax and compliance firm (https://www.industax.com). Contact: info@industax.com, 9059139258.
This is general information, not advice for your specific facts.