Your lyrics, melodies, and recordings are separate copyrightable works under Indian law. Whether you're an independent artist, composer, lyricist, or music producer — register each layer of your music to secure exclusive rights, collect royalties, and stop unauthorised use across all platforms.
The Indian Copyright Act does not treat a song as a single work. It protects each creative contribution as a distinct copyright owned by a different person. Understanding this is critical before filing.
Literary Work — Section 2(o)
The written words of a song are protected as a literary work. The lyricist is the author and holds independent copyright in the text, separate from the music.
Musical Work — Section 2(p)
The melody, harmony, and rhythm — the actual musical notes and arrangement — are protected as a musical work. This exists independently of any recording.
Sound Recording — Section 2(xx)
The studio-recorded or live-recorded version of a song is a separate copyright — a derivative right built on top of the lyrics and composition.
If you write, compose, and record your own music, you can register all three copyrights in your own name — lyrics as literary work, composition as musical work, and your recording as sound recording.
Your written lyrics are an independent literary copyright belonging exclusively to you. Register them separately — even if you've handed them to a composer or producer, you retain royalty rights.
The musical notation, melody, and arrangement you create are your copyright. File for musical work registration to protect your composition from unauthorised covers, remixes, and adaptations.
As the producer of a sound recording, you are the author under Section 2(d)(v). Register the recording to hold exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and communicate it to the public.
Even when composing for a film producer, the 2012 Amendment protects your right to receive equal royalties for non-film uses (radio, streaming). Register to enforce these rights effectively.
Podcasts, audiobooks, jingles, background scores, and sound effects are all protectable as sound recordings. Register to stop unauthorised use on streaming platforms and in commercial productions.
Once registered, you hold these exclusive rights — any third party using your work without permission is infringing, and you can take legal action.
Exclusive right to copy, duplicate, or reproduce your lyrics, composition, or recording in any form — physical, digital, or broadcast.
Right to control how your music is distributed — physical CDs, digital downloads, streaming platforms, or any commercial sale.
Right to perform or broadcast your work in public — concerts, radio, television, YouTube, OTT platforms, or any public venue.
Exclusive right to make remixes, cover versions, translations, or any derivative of your musical work. Others need your permission for any adaptation.
Right to earn royalties every time your music is performed, broadcast, streamed, or used commercially. This right cannot be waived under the 2012 Amendment.
Right to claim authorship and object to distortion, mutilation, or modification of your work that damages your reputation — these rights are perpetual and cannot be transferred.
File online at copyright.gov.in. The process is the same for lyrics, musical composition, and sound recordings — but each requires a separate application and fee.
Decide which copyright(s) you are filing for — lyrics only, musical composition only, sound recording only, or all three. Each requires a separate Form XIV application and separate fee payment. A song may require up to three separate registrations.
Prepare two identical copies of the work in the prescribed format:
If multiple people contributed to the work — lyricist, composer, singer, music director, producer — each co-contributor who is not listed as applicant must provide a written No Objection Certificate (NOC). There is no prescribed format; the NOC must simply state that the contributor is aware of the registration and does not object.
Register at copyright.gov.in and complete Form XIV. Fill in the title of the work, language, nature of work (literary/musical/sound recording), name and address of author and applicant, date of creation and publication (if published), and ownership declarations. Attach the Statement of Particulars and Statement of Further Particulars.
Upload two digital copies of the work, identity proof (Aadhaar/Passport/PAN for individuals; Certificate of Incorporation + Company PAN + Board Resolution for companies), all required NOCs, and Power of Attorney if filing via advocate. Pay the government fee online.
A Diary Number is issued immediately upon submission — this is your tracking reference. Print and post one hard copy of the Acknowledgement Slip and Form XIV to the Copyright Office, Boudhik Sampada Bhawan, New Delhi — 110 048.
The Copyright Office waits a mandatory 30 days for any third party to file a written objection claiming prior ownership of the work. During this period your application is published for public inspection. If an objection is received, the Registrar schedules a hearing for both parties.
After examination and scrutiny by the Copyright Examiner, the Registrar enters the work in the Register of Copyrights and issues the official Certificate of Registration. This certificate is prima facie evidence of your copyright ownership in all courts.
| Work Type | What It Covers | Individual / Startup | Company / Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyrics | Written words of a song (Literary Work) | ₹500 | ₹2,000 |
| Musical Composition | Melody, notes, arrangement (Musical Work) | ₹500 | ₹2,000 |
| Sound Recording | Recorded version of the song (per track) | ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Full Song (all three) | Lyrics + Composition + Recording (3 apps) | ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
Above figures are government fees only and subject to revision — verify at copyright.gov.in before filing. Professional / advocate fees are charged separately. Payment accepted online via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or by Demand Draft / Indian Postal Order payable to "Registrar of Copyrights, New Delhi". Each track of an album requires a separate application and separate fee.
Completed application form signed by the applicant and advocate (if filing through one). Separate Form XIV for each work being registered.
Lyrics: PDF of lyrics. Composition: PDF of sheet music / notation. Sound Recording: MP3 file of the track. Two identical copies required.
Individuals: Aadhaar Card, Passport, or PAN Card. Companies: Certificate of Incorporation + Company PAN + Board Resolution or authorisation letter.
Detailed declaration of the work — nature, date of creation, publication details, ownership. Required for all work types including music.
Written No Objection Certificate from every person who contributed to the work and is not listed as applicant — lyricist, composer, singer, music director, producer.
Specific POA or Vakalatnama duly signed by the applicant and accepted by the advocate. Must accompany the application if not filing personally.
If the work has already been published and the applicant is different from the publisher, a No Objection Certificate from the publisher is required.
If rights in the work have been assigned or licensed to the applicant, the original assignment deed or licence agreement must be attached.
Registered copyright gives you legally enforceable rights across all platforms. Without registration, proving ownership in court requires independent evidence — making enforcement slow and expensive.
File a DMCA takedown or Content ID claim to have infringing content removed. For Indian platforms, a cease and desist notice backed by your registration certificate is sufficient to compel removal.
Broadcasters must obtain a licence from a Copyright Society (IPRS for musical works, PPL for sound recordings). If broadcast occurs without licence, civil and criminal remedies are available.
Sue for injunction to stop further infringement, damages or account of profits, delivery up of infringing copies, and legal costs. Registration is prima facie evidence — no need to separately prove ownership.
Intentional copyright infringement is a criminal offence. Punishment: minimum 6 months to 3 years imprisonment + fine of ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000. Repeat offences carry higher penalties under Section 63B.
India is a signatory to the Berne Convention (181+ countries) and WIPO Treaties (WCT and WPPT). Your Indian registered copyright is automatically recognised internationally without re-registration.
Register with IPRS (Indian Performing Right Society) for musical work royalties and PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) for sound recording royalties. These societies collect and distribute royalties on your behalf from broadcasters and streaming platforms.
Your song, your melody, your recording — each is a separate copyright that deserves legal protection. Our experts guide you through every application, NOC, and filing step.