Protect your song, lyrics, composition or recording. Under the Copyright Act, 1957 a song can carry three separate rights: the musical work, the lyrics and the sound recording. A dedicated IP expert identifies each right, prepares the applications, files them online with the Copyright Office and follows them through to registration.
Free call & custom quote · Professional fee + government fee
Music copyright in India is the exclusive right over an original song under the Copyright Act, 1957. A song usually holds three works: the musical composition, the lyrics (a literary work) and the sound recording. Copyright exists automatically once the work is created, and registration with the Copyright Office gives you an official certificate as evidence of ownership.
Last updated: October 2026. Forms, fees and time limits can change and every case depends on its facts, so we confirm the current position before filing. No outcome can be guaranteed.
Section 13 of the Copyright Act, 1957 recognises copyright in original literary and musical works and in sound recordings. A musical work is the composition itself: melody, harmony and notation. Lyrics are protected as a literary work. A sound recording is the recorded audio, and its first owner is generally the producer. The composer, lyricist and producer can be different people, so one song often has several owners.
Registration under Section 45 records your claim in the Register of Copyrights. It does not create the right, since copyright already exists from creation, but it gives official evidence of who claims the work and when. Ideas, chords, genres, song titles and band names alone are not protected. For film songs, ownership depends on the contract and the Act's provisions on assignment and royalties.
For official forms and notices, visit copyright.gov.in, the website of the Copyright Office, Government of India. For other works, see our copyright registration in India page. If you have received a letter on your application, see our copyright objection reply service.
Important points every music creator should know.
A single song can hold several works, each with its own author and owner. Copyright covers original expression, not ideas or style.
The melody, harmony and arrangement.
Words of a song are a literary work.
The recorded audio of a performance.
Music made for a cinematograph film.
Related rights that sit alongside the song.
Some subject matter falls outside copyright.
Not sure how your song splits across composition, lyrics and recording? Share it with us and our experts will review it free of charge.
Why singers, composers, labels and creators register their music.
The certificate is public, official evidence of your claim to the song.
Supports a legal notice, injunction and damages against unauthorised copying.
A registered song is easier to license, assign or show to labels and investors.
Helps when reporting copied songs to streaming and video platforms.
Creates a record of your claim with the Copyright Office from the date of application.
India is a Berne Convention member, so Indian works generally receive protection in other member countries.
Share your audio files and documents from anywhere in India. No office visit is needed.
From splitting the song into its works to the registration certificate, here is how a music copyright application proceeds.
Timelines depend on Copyright Office schedules and whether any discrepancy or objection is raised. Not to scale.
We separate the composition, lyrics and sound recording, and confirm each is original and registrable.
We establish who the composer, lyricist, producer and applicant are, and whether an assignment, licence or NOC is needed.
We draft the application and statement of particulars and guide you on the audio file, lyrics or notation to submit.
The application is filed on the Copyright Office portal with the prescribed fee, along with a Power of Attorney if we file for you.
If a third party objects or a discrepancy is raised, we draft the reply and support you at a hearing, if called.
Once the Registrar is satisfied, the work is entered in the Register of Copyrights and the certificate is issued.
Keep these ready to avoid delays. Our expert will confirm the exact list for your case.
The total cost depends on how many works you register (composition, lyrics, recording), the number of songs and whether a discrepancy or objection needs a reply. It generally has three parts:
Depends on the class of work, such as literary, musical or sound recording. The schedule can change, so we confirm the current fee before filing.
Depends on the number of works and the work involved. Call free for a custom quote before you pay anything.
Assignment deeds, notarisation, discrepancy replies and hearings are charged separately where they arise.
We share a clear, itemised quote before you begin – no hidden charges. Get your free quote →
Choose the situation that matches your case, or call free for a custom quote.
One song, composition, lyric or recording.
An album, EP or several songs filed together.
Letter or objection received on your application.
Our professional fee is quoted per matter after a free call. Government fee is separate. Not sure which option fits? Ask for a free song review.
If your music is original and valuable to you, a certificate gives you proof when it matters.
Artists releasing original songs and recordings.
Creators who want proof of authorship for their music and words.
Owners of sound recordings and catalogues.
Teams commissioning music or needing clear rights before release.
Creators of original tracks, remixes and instrumentals.
For a band, label or artist name, see our trademark registration online service.
Each layer of a song is protected differently. Ask us which applies to yours.
| Right | What it protects | Usual first owner | Term | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musical work | Melody, harmony and notation | Composer | Life of author plus 60 years | Filed as a musical work |
| Lyrics | Words of the song | Lyricist | Life of author plus 60 years | Filed as a literary work |
| Sound recording | The recorded audio | Producer | Generally 60 years from publication | Separate from the composition |
| Trademark | Artist, band or label name and logo | Applicant | 10 years, renewable | See trademark renewal |
Correct particulars and a clear ownership position decide most applications.
Registration is the start of protecting and managing your music.
The Copyright Office enters the work in the Register of Copyrights and issues the certificate.
Public performance and broadcast rights are often managed through copyright societies and bodies such as IPRS (authors and composers) and PPL (sound recordings). Check which suits your catalogue.
Monitor streaming and video platforms. If your song is copied, a legal notice, takedown request and court remedies may be available.
State the rights, duration and territory in a written agreement. Splits between composer, lyricist and producer should be clear.
Register the band, label or artist name as a trademark. See our trademark registration online and wordmark registration services.
For local support, see our pages for trademark registration in Dwarka and Jaipur. If issues arise on a brand name, see trademark objection and trademark opposition.
Quick answers on copyright music in India.
Copyright in music is the exclusive legal right over an original song or recording under the Copyright Act, 1957. A song usually contains separate works: the musical composition, the lyrics (a literary work) and the sound recording. Each can have a different author and owner.
Yes. Copyright arises automatically when an original musical work, lyric or sound recording is created and fixed. Registration is optional, but the certificate is useful evidence of ownership if the song is copied, used without a licence or disputed.
Yes. Register the musical work (composition), the lyrics as a literary work and the sound recording. These are generally filed as separate applications, because each is a distinct work with its own author and owner.
A musical work is the composition: melody, harmony and notation. A sound recording is the recorded audio of a performance. Lyrics are a separate literary work. A song can therefore carry three layers of copyright, each owned by a different person.
The author is usually the first owner: the composer for the music and the lyricist for the words. For a sound recording it is generally the producer. Employment, commissioned work, film use and written assignments can change this, so the contract matters.
For musical and literary works (composition and lyrics), copyright generally lasts for the life of the author plus 60 years. For sound recordings it generally runs for 60 years from publication. The exact term depends on the type of work.
Usually identity and address proof of the applicant, a copy of the work (audio file, lyrics or notation), title, language and publication details, author details, an assignment or NOC if the applicant is not the author, and a Power of Attorney if a professional files for you.
After a diary number is issued there is generally a 30-day waiting period for objections. If there is no objection or discrepancy, the application moves to registration. A discrepancy letter or objection adds time, so we cannot promise a fixed timeline.
Generally yes. Using copyrighted music in a video, film, advertisement, event or cover version usually needs permission from the owners of the composition, lyrics and sound recording, or a licence through a copyright society. The Act has specific statutory provisions in some cases, so check before use.
Not freely. A cover version or background track can infringe the rights in the composition, lyrics and original recording. Check the platform's licence terms and the copyright owner's permission before posting. Fair dealing exceptions are narrow and fact specific.
Registration does not physically prevent copying, but the certificate is strong evidence of your claim. It supports a legal notice, a platform takedown and court remedies such as an injunction and damages, subject to the facts of the case.
File a written reply with supporting documents within the time stated in the letter. If another person objects, the Registrar may call a hearing. Missing the deadline can lead to refusal, so reply early.
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