Copyright

Copyright Protection under Indian Law and Astrea’s Services

Copyright is a form of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) granted by law to creators of literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, as well as to producers of cinematograph films and sound recordings. It grants a bundle of rights to the creators, including:

• Rights of reproduction of the work.
• Communication to the public of the work.
• Adaptation and translation of the work.

The specific composition of these rights may vary slightly depending on the type of work. According to the Copyright Act, 1957, copyright subsists in original works in the following categories:

• Literary works.
• Dramatic works.
• Musical works.
• Artistic works.
• Cinematograph films.
• Sound recordings.

The Copyright Act, 1957 is one of the oldest and most significant pieces of intellectual property legislation in India. Over the years, it has undergone five amendments to keep up with both national and international developments, specifically in 1983, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1999, and most recently in 2012.

Astrea’s Copyright Services

At Astrea, our Copyright Team, as part of our Intellectual Property Law Practice, assists businesses in India and globally to obtain and enforce copyright protection. Our services cover the entire spectrum of copyright law, including registration, prosecution, licensing, valuation, and handling infringement issues. The following are the key services we offer:

• Copyright Registration: Assisting clients with the process of registering their literary, musical, or artistic works, cinematograph films, and sound recordings to ensure legal protection.
• Deed of Assignment: Drafting and executing assignments of copyright to transfer ownership or grant rights to others.
• Legal Action Against Copyright Infringement: Representing clients in cases of copyright infringement, including issuing legal notices, filing lawsuits, and seeking injunctions.
• Copyright Protection for Computer Programs and Software: Providing legal advice and protection for software and computer programs under copyright law, ensuring their unique code and structure are safeguarded.
• Legal Opinion and Consultation: Offering expert legal opinions on copyright matters, including questions of infringement, ownership, and rights management.
• IPR Due Diligence: Conducting thorough assessments of intellectual property portfolios to identify risks, value assets, and ensure proper legal compliance.

 Copyright Law, Astrea helps clients secure and defend their creative works in a rapidly evolving digital environment. Whether you need assistance with registering a work, enforcing your copyright rights, or licensing intellectual property, Astrea is committed to providing tailored, strategic advice and representation.