The Copyright Act protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, along with cinematograph films and sound recordings, giving creators exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform and adapt their work, forming the legal basis for India’s creative and entertainment industries.
Section 14 defines the bundle of exclusive rights a copyright owner holds, including reproduction, issuing copies, public performance, and adaptation. Under Section 22, copyright in literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works generally lasts for the author’s lifetime plus 60 years.
Section 51 defines infringement, and Section 63 makes it a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years and fine ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh, with enhanced punishment for repeat offenders. Section 52 carves out fair dealing exceptions for research, criticism, review, and reporting of current events.
The Act also allows for copyright registration (though not mandatory for protection, which arises automatically on creation) through the Copyright Office, providing a public record useful as evidence in infringement disputes.