®
What we do
- Copyright registration for software, literary and artistic works, sound recordings and films
- Ownership reviews: employee, freelancer and agency work
- Assignments and licences that meet the Copyright Act's requirements
- Open-source licence reviews for software products
- Content licensing for media, education and SaaS businesses
Points worth knowing
- Registration is optional, but the Register of Copyrights is prima facie evidence of its entries, which helps in disputes.
- An assignment must be in writing. If it does not state its duration, it is treated as five years; if it does not state the territory, it is treated as India only.
- Works first published in Berne Convention countries are protected in India through the International Copyright Order, 1999.
- For most works, copyright lasts for the author's lifetime plus 60 years.
Common questions
Can software be registered for copyright in India?
Yes. Computer programs are literary works under the Copyright Act and can be registered, usually with extracts of source code.
Is our foreign copyright valid in India?
Generally yes. Works from Berne Convention and WTO member countries are protected in India without registration, although registration can still help with enforcement.
Why does the duration of an assignment matter?
If an assignment does not say how long it lasts, Indian law treats it as five years. Many template agreements drafted abroad miss this.
Work with us
Tell us what you are working on. We reply within one business day with next steps and a fixed-fee or retainer proposal where possible.
Jurisdiction: IndiaLast reviewed: 26 October 2026General information, not legal or investment advice