Copyright Registration in India — Form XIV, Second Schedule Fees and the 30-Day Objection Window
Quick answer: Copyright exists from creation, but registration on the Copyright Office register is the evidence that wins disputes, marketplace takedowns and investor diligence. You file Form XIV with a Statement of Particulars on copyright.gov.in, one application per work: ₹500 for a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (software counts as literary), ₹2,000 for an artistic work used on goods or services (a logo — with the Trade Marks Registry's TM-C no-objection) and for a sound recording, ₹5,000 for a cinematograph film. A diary number issues on filing, a mandatory 30-day objection window follows, then examination; discrepancy letters must be answered within 30 days. We file, clear discrepancies and pair the logo with the trademark.
Last verified 4 October 2026 — rules on this page checked against the current notifications. We update it the day a rule changes.
Fees — Second Schedule, Copyright Rules 2013 (per work)
| Work | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Literary (books, scripts, articles, course material) | ₹500 | One application per work |
| Computer programme / software / app code | ₹500 | Classified as a literary work — pages quoting ₹5,000 for software are wrong |
| Dramatic / musical work | ₹500 | Lyrics and composition can be separate works |
| Artistic work (painting, photograph, design, logo not used on goods) | ₹500 | — |
| Artistic work used or capable of use on goods or services (brand logo, label) | ₹2,000 | Needs a TM-C search certificate / NOC from the Trade Marks Registry (s.45 proviso) |
| Sound recording | ₹2,000 | Separate from the underlying musical/literary work |
| Cinematograph film (incl. ad films, web series episodes) | ₹5,000 | Separate from script and music |
| Change of particulars / corrections | ₹400–₹2,000 by category (confirmed at filing) | Form XV |
Process and timeline
- Form XIV + Statement of Particulars (and Further Particulars) on copyright.gov.in; upload copies of the work (source code excerpt for software — first and last 10 pages or full, as prescribed); NOC of the author/publisher where the applicant differs
- Diary number issues on filing
- 30-day mandatory objection window for third parties
- Examination; a discrepancy letter must be answered within 30 days (extendable by 30); a hearing follows if an objection is lodged
- Registration certificate — typically 2–6 months in all, longer with objections
Term and what registration does for you
- Term: author's life + 60 years for literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works; 60 years from publication for films, sound recordings, photographs and government/anonymous works
- Registered certificates are prima facie evidence in infringement suits (s.48), accepted by Amazon/Flipkart brand registries and app stores for takedowns, and demanded in investor and acquisition diligence
- A logo gets both protections: copyright as an artistic work and a trademark in the right class — file them together
What we do
- Work classification (one filing or several), Statement of Particulars drafting, author/publisher NOCs, TM-C for logos
- Discrepancy and objection replies; hearings at the Copyright Office, New Delhi
- Portfolio planning with trademark classes, design registration and software licensing terms
Talk to us before you file anything
Frequently asked questions
What is the copyright registration fee in India?
₹500 per literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (software included); ₹2,000 for an artistic work used on goods or services and for a sound recording; ₹5,000 for a cinematograph film — Second Schedule, Copyright Rules 2013.
How much does software copyright registration cost?
₹500 per work — software is a literary work under the Act; pages quoting ₹5,000 have confused it with films.
Why does a logo cost ₹2,000?
An artistic work used or capable of use in relation to goods or services pays ₹2,000 and needs a TM-C no-objection from the Trade Marks Registry before the Copyright Office registers it.
How long does copyright registration take?
A diary number issues on filing, a mandatory 30-day objection window follows, then examination — typically 2–6 months in all, longer if a discrepancy or objection arises.
Is copyright registration mandatory?
No — copyright arises on creation; registration is evidence (s.48) that matters in court, marketplace takedowns and diligence.
How long does copyright last?
Author's life plus 60 years for literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works; 60 years from publication for films, sound recordings and photographs.
Can I register a book and its cover in one application?
No — the text (literary) and the cover (artistic) are separate works and separate ₹500 applications.
What if the Copyright Office sends a discrepancy letter?
Reply within 30 days (extendable by 30) with the corrected particulars or documents; unanswered letters lead to the application being treated as abandoned.