A right provided by the law to creators of literary work, dramatic work, musical and artistic works, and producers of cinematography films, compositions, and sound recordings is referred to as Copyright. It is a collection of rights like rights of reproduction, communication to the general public, adaptation, and translation of the work. Depending on the category of work, there might be minor differences in the composition of the rights.

The © symbol is generally used to denote the owner's copyright over the creative work.

A work in copyright acts means a literary work, dramatic work, musical or artistic work, a cinematography film, compositions, or a sound recording.

Yes. Computer Software or programs including applications (popularly called apps) can be registered as 'literary work. As per the copyright act, "literary work" covers computer programs, tables, and code compilations, including computer databases. 'Source Code' and "Object Code" should also be shared along with the application for copyright registration for software products.

A website is a set of web pages hosted together on a particular web address (domain) and each web page contains various elements including texts, computer programs, images, sounds, videos, etc.

Copyright does not commonly protect titles by themselves or names, short word combinations, slogans, short phrases, methods, plots, or any factual information.

No. Acquiring copyright is self-moving, and it is not necessary to do any formality. Copyright comes into existence as soon as your work is created, and no legal process is required to be followed to acquire the copyright for the work. However, registering the copyright certificate of copyright and the entries made in the public record by the copyright registry acts as self-evident in a court of law concerning conflicts relating to copyright ownership.

The standard rule is that copyright lasts for 60 years period. In the case of unique literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, the period of 60 years is counted from the year following the author’s death. Whereas, in the case of cinematography films, sound recordings, photographs, posthumous publications, anonymous and pseudonymous publications, works of government, and works of international organizations, 60 years is counted from the date of publication.

Yes. Any person who knowingly infringes or instigates copyright infringement in any work commits a criminal offense under Section 63 of the Copyright Act of 1957 punishable with imprisonment of a minimum of 6 months and maximum up to 3 years and minimum fine of Rs. 50,000/- which may go up to Rs. 2,00,000/-. Further, in case the said person commits the same offense again, then as per Section 63A the minimum imprisonment shall be increased to 1 year and the minimum fine shall be increased to Rs. 1,00,000/-

The Copyright Office is set up to provide registration facilities for all types of works and is headed by a Registrar of Copyrights. The application for copyright registration and other miscellaneous application related to the matter can be filed online through the e-filing facility on the copyright office’s website www.copyright.gov.in

Yes. both published works and unpublished works can be registered as copyright.

Once the application is filed, a diary number is allotted for the application. Thereafter, a mandatory 30 days waiting period is there during which any person can object to your application. In case the application is objected to by a 3^rd party during this period, the department will give an opportunity of being heard to both the parties and decide the case on merits.

Post passing of the said mandatory 30 days period or clearance of the 3^rd party objection in your favour, as the case may be, the officer at the copyright office will scrutinize the application and if there are no discrepancies, your work will be registered. In case the officer in scrutiny finds any discrepancy, he will issue a discrepancy letter which needs to be replied to.

If no discrepancy is marked by the officer or the deficiency marked has been cleared by your reply, as the case may be, your work will be registered.

All of this process takes 3-4 months if there is no 3^rd party objection and no discrepancy marked by the department.

The office of the Registrar of Copyrights must give an opportunity of being heard to all applicants before rejection of the application. The applicant himself or his authorized representative may appear in the hearing before the office of the Registrar of Copyrights.

It provides creators and content owners around the globe to get the protection of Copyright in countries other than their own country of origin.

The concept of international copyright law does not exist. Copyright law is territorial and regional in its scope and application. Safety against unauthorized use of work in a country will depend on the national laws of that particular country.

However, certain international copyright treaties and conventions have simplified the process of granting protection to foreign copyright holders, which has allowed creators and content owners in different countries to enjoy exclusive rights over their work worldwide.

A copyright society is a registered united administration society. Certain copyright owners form such a society. The minimum number of people required for the registration of a society is seven members. Commonly, only one society is registered to do business in respect of the same class of work. A copyright society can issue or grant licenses in respect of any work in which copyright exists or in respect of any other rights given by the Copyright Act.