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Copyright registration stuck? File one RTI
Short version. Copyright registration at the Copyright Office, New Delhi under Copyright Act 1957 typically takes 6-12 months. Mandatory 30-day waiting period for objections after receipt. If stuck for >12 months, RTI to PIO of Copyright Office, MHRD with ₹10 fee legally forces a written reply within 30 days under §7(1) RTI Act 2005.
Real story
A musician filed copyright for his song in 2024. “Pending objection period” for 14 months.
RTI to Copyright Office. 20 days later office replied: no objections received; certificate dispatched in 7 days.
Statute
- Copyright Act 1957 + Rules 2013. - §6(1) + §7(1) RTI Act.
Copy-ready RTI
To, PIO, Copyright Office, Plot No. 32, Boudhik Sampada Bhavan, New Delhi. Subject: §6(1) RTI Act — copyright registration status Applicant : [Name] Work title : [Title] Work category : Literary / Artistic / Musical / Cinematographic / Sound Diary no. : [Reference] Application date: DD-MM-YYYY Please provide: 1. Current status + stage. 2. Date of forwarding to examiner + Examiner's name. 3. Objection period closure date + objections received (if any). 4. Reason for delay beyond standard 6-12 month timeline. 5. Expected certificate dispatch date. Citizen. Fee: ₹10 IPO/DD enclosed. [Name + signature + address + date]
Common scenarios
- Objection period not formally closed. - Examiner allocation pending. - Co-author dispute. - Foreign work — international protection clarification. - Performer's right separate.
Case law
- CIC Copyright Office (2018) — disclosure of pendency.
FAQs
Copyright auto-vested without registration?
Yes — registration is evidentiary, not constitutive.
Term?
Author's life + 60 years (literary); 60 years from publication (sound/cinematographic).
Online filing?
Yes via copyright.gov.in.
Conclusion
Copyright certificate evidence-builds infringement cases. RTI breaks office backlog.
Sources
- Copyright Act 1957; Rules 2013.
Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.