Register your creative work and hold clear proof of ownership
Copyright registration in India for books, software, music, art and films, with the application filed by professionals in the Vibence partner network.
- Fixed, itemised price
- Partner CA / CS / advocate
- Free Ambition Pro for 12 months
Copyright Registration at a glance
- Professional fee
- Quote on request, confirmed before you pay
- Typical timeline
- Filing typically takes a few working days once documents are ready, and registration usually takes several months depending on the Copyright Office's processing.
- Who handles it
- A qualified professional from the Vibence partner network
- Documents
- Copy of the work (manuscript, source code extract, audio, image or video), Applicant's PAN and identity proof, Address proof of the applicant and more
- Included free
- Free Ambition Pro for 12 months and domains at cost
Last reviewed October 2026
Copyright protects original creative work such as writing, software code, music, artwork, photographs and films. In India copyright exists from the moment a work is created, so registration is not compulsory. Registration does, however, give you a public record and a certificate that courts treat as prima facie evidence of the details recorded in it. That record becomes very useful if someone copies your work or disputes who created it.
Vibence helps you apply to the Copyright Office. Qualified professionals from our partner network check which category your work falls under, prepare the application and supporting statements, and file them online. After filing there is a mandatory waiting period for objections before the application is examined. The office may raise discrepancies that need a response. Timelines depend on government processing, but you receive a diary number as soon as the application is filed.
Who this is for
- Authors, writers and publishers
- Software developers and app founders
- Musicians, composers and producers
- Artists, designers and photographers
- Filmmakers and content creators
Evidence of ownership
The registration certificate is treated as prima facie evidence of the particulars recorded in it.
Easier enforcement
A registered work makes it simpler to act against copying and piracy.
Licensing ready
Clear ownership records help when you license, assign or sell rights in your work.
Public record
Your claim is entered in the Register of Copyrights for anyone to see.
What's included
- Guidance on the correct category of work
- Drafting of the copyright application and statement of particulars
- Preparation of no-objection or authorisation documents where needed
- Online filing with the Copyright Office
- Sharing the diary number and filing receipt
- Support with replies to discrepancy letters
- Status tracking until the outcome
We confirm an itemised fixed price for your exact case before any payment.
Get my quote- Free Ambition Pro for 12 months
- Domains at cost
The Copyright Office charges a government fee that varies with the type of work, payable in addition to the professional fee and GST.
Documents you'll need
- Copy of the work (manuscript, source code extract, audio, image or video)
- Applicant's PAN and identity proof
- Address proof of the applicant
- Details of the author, if different from the applicant
- No-objection certificate from the author or other right holders, where applicable
- Signed authorisation in favour of the filing professional
- Trademark search certificate, if an artistic work is also used as a trademark
Filing typically takes a few working days once documents are ready, and registration usually takes several months depending on the Copyright Office's processing.
The Copyright Office charges a government fee that varies with the type of work, payable in addition to the professional fee and GST.
Qualified professionals from the Vibence partner network, with certification wherever the law requires it.
The process
- Assess the workA professional confirms the category of work and who should be named as owner and author.
- Prepare applicationThe application, statement of particulars and supporting documents are drafted.
- File onlineThe application is filed with the Copyright Office and a diary number is issued.
- Waiting and examinationAfter the waiting period for objections, the office examines the application.
- RegistrationAny discrepancies are answered and, if approved, the work is entered in the register.
Copyright Registration: FAQs
Is copyright registration compulsory in India?
No. Copyright arises automatically when an original work is created and fixed in some form. Registration is optional. However, a registration certificate is treated as prima facie evidence of the particulars entered in the Register of Copyrights. That makes it much easier to prove ownership and the date of creation if your work is copied or a dispute arises.
What kinds of work can be registered?
You can register literary works including books and computer software, dramatic works, musical works, artistic works such as paintings, drawings and logos, cinematograph films and sound recordings. Ideas, names, titles and short slogans are generally not protected by copyright. A brand name or slogan is better protected through trademark registration.
How long does copyright last?
For most literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, copyright lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 60 years. For works such as films, sound recordings and photographs, and works where the owner is an organisation, the term is generally 60 years from publication. Registration does not change the term. It simply records your ownership.
Can I register a logo under copyright as well as trademark?
Yes. A logo can be protected as an artistic work under copyright and as a brand identifier under trademark law. The two give different rights. Copyright protects the artwork from being copied, while a trademark protects its use as a brand for particular goods or services. When a logo is used as a trademark, the Copyright Office may ask for a trademark search report.
What happens after I file a copyright application?
After filing you receive a diary number. There is then a mandatory waiting period during which anyone can object. If no objection is received, an examiner reviews the application and may issue a discrepancy letter that needs a reply. Once everything is in order, the work is entered in the Register of Copyrights and an extract is issued.
Related services
Trademark Registration
Trademark registration in India with a search first, the right class and a well-drafted TM-A filing, handled by professionals in the Vibence partner network.
Logo Design
Logo design for Indian startups and small businesses: an original mark created by partner designers and made suitable for trademark filing with Vibence.
Patent Filing
Patent filing in India with a prior-art search and a provisional or complete specification, drafted by a registered patent agent in the Vibence network.