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Term of Copyright

Term of Copyright in Posthumous Works

For literary, dramatic, or musical works, or engravings, copyright subsists at the time of the author's death. In the case of joint authorship, it subsists at or immediately before the death of the last surviving author. If such a work (or its adaptation) was not published before the author's death, copyright will remain in effect for 60 years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year the work is first published. If an adaptation is published in an earlier year, copyright lasts for 60 years from the start of the following calendar year.

As per Section 24(2), a literary, dramatic, or musical work (or its adaptation) is considered "published" when it is performed publicly, or a sound recording of the work is made, sold, or offered for sale to the public.

Term of Copyright in Cinematograph Films

The copyright validity period for cinematograph films is 60 years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year in which the film is first published.

Term of Copyright in Sound Recordings

The copyright validity period for sound recordings is 60 years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year in which the sound recording is first published.

Term of Copyright in Government Works

For government works, where the government is the first owner of the copyright, the copyright validity period is 60 years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year the work is first published.

Term of Copyright in Works of Public Undertakings

For works created by public undertakings, where the public undertaking is the first owner of the copyright, the copyright validity period is 60 years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year the work is first published.

Term of Copyright in Works of International Organizations

For works created by international organizations, where the provisions of Section 41 apply, the copyright validity period is 60 years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year the work is first published.

Copyright Discrepancy and Objection Clearance

If you have applied for copyright protection through another source and have received a discrepancy or objection, feel free to contact us for clearance. You can simply call or email us, and we will resolve the issue for you.

About Performer's Rights

Under copyright law, any person who transcribes a lecture, story, or performance (for example, in shorthand) or records music in a material form becomes the copyright owner of that material. This was further addressed in the Copyright (Amendment) Act of 1994, which introduced the concept of Performer's Rights.

Performer's rights grant special rights to individuals who perform. A performer may include actors, singers, musicians, dancers, acrobats, jugglers, conjurers, snake charmers, lecturers, or any other person making a live visual or acoustic performance, as per Section 2(qq) and Section 2(q) of the Copyright Act.