Copyright is a form of Intellectual Property protection like trademark and patents. A copyright is a legal right given by the law to creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works and producers of cinematograph films and sound recordings. Copyright gives the owner of the work certain safeguard to ensure the intellectual work is protected and creativity is rewarded. Copyright includes a bundle of the right like the rights of reproduction, communication to the public, adaptation and translation of the work.

In India, Copyrights are registered under The Copyright Act, 1957. The Copyright Act, 1957 protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works and cinematograph films and sound recordings from unauthorized uses. The Copyright registration confers a negative right, which means the right to exclude others from using your registered work.

It is noteworthy to mention that ideas, procedures, methods of operation or mathematical concepts cannot be copyrighted. Copyright is a right given by the law to creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works and producers of cinematograph films and sound recordings.

In fact, it is a bundle of rights including, inter alia, rights of reproduction, communication to the public, adaptation, and translation of the work. There could be slight variations in the composition of the rights depending on the work.

WHY YOU SHOULD REGISTER YOUR COPYRIGHT?

Legal Protection

Copyright registration serves as prima facie evidence in the Court of Law over ownership of the work. Therefore, copyright registration gives the owner legal protection for its work.

Asset

Copyright registration creates an intellectual property, an intangible asset. Registered copyrights are intellectual property and the rights can be sold, franchised or commercially contracted.

Goodwill

Registered copyright can be used for marketing and creating a sense of goodwill and quality in the minds of your customer. Registered copyright shows others that you care about your work.

Restraint on Unauthorized Reproduction

Copyright registration is a negative right and gives you the right to exclude others from using your registered work without authority. This will help impede unauthorized reproduction of the work as it provides the owner with a host of legal remedies.

Global Protection

Works that are copyrighted in many other countries are accorded similar privileges here in India as India is a signatory to the Berne Convention. As of 2019, 177 Countries are a signatory to the Berne Convention. Likewise, works copyright registered in India are accorded protection in 177 other countries that are a signatory to the Berne Convention.