Copyright

The copyright registration means works literary, dramatic, musical, artistic works, fashion designs, paintings, cinematography films, sound recordings, and other works including computer software/computer programs, tables and compilations, including computer databases, photographs, and other electronically disseminated information, as well as sculptures and engraving. ‘Source Code’ and “Object Code” have also to be supplied along with the application for registration of copyright for software products. Copyright protects the expression of such works and not the ideas behind them.

To get the protection of copyright a work must be original. Copyright does not ordinarily protect titles by themselves or names, short word combinations, slogans, short phrases, methods, plots, or factual information. Copyright does not protect ideas or concepts.

A registered copyright legally protects your work and prevents its unauthorized usage. Infringement of copyright of once registered copyright work shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to three years and with a fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees :

The copyright is owned by the author for up to a lifetime and also after 60 years of his/her death.

Benefits of getting copyright registered for your work:

• Copyright registration provides branding and goodwill to the owner.
• Copyright registration creates a public record. It tells the world that your work is protected by copyright and also enables a person who wants to license your work to find you.
• It enables the protection from unauthorized use – to file a lawsuit and take legal actionagainst someone who infringes your copyright, say by selling copies of your work without your permission. 
• It provides you with economic benefitsby entitling you to use your work in various ways like making copies, performing in public, broadcasting your work, etc. and availing appropriate rewards for it. Thus, it provides you with a reward for your creativity.
• It allows you to sell or pass the rights of your work.
• It allows you to getlegal evidence of your ownership. So if someone prevents you from using your work, you can just use your copyright to prove that it’s your work and you have a right to use it.
• It allows you tochange the form of your work. For example, it allows you to make a sequel or revise or update the work.
• It provides global protection– If the copyright is registered in other countries as well then the owner would have similar privileges as it has in India.
• It provides licensing the right to the owner- The owner of the copyright has the right to provide licensing easily to others.
• It provides remuneration and royalty to the owner- The protected work when gets translated or adapted or edited, the owner has a right to claim remuneration or royalty over such translation, adaptation, or editing. The relevant examples are the music industry and YouTube where the content is copied or the songs are used and remixed or videos are made on that music.