During the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024, India saw a record number of new copyright registration certificates issued by the country’s Copyright Office – 38,002 to be exact. In the same FY, 36,729 new applications were filed to India’s Intellectual Property Office.
Of these 38,002 copyright registration certificates, 24,752 were for literary and dramatic works. Artistic works accounted for the second largest number of certificates issued at 8,224 followed by computer software with 2,429 and sound recording with 2,007. One hundred thirty-five copyright registration certificates went to musical works while 455 went to cinematograph films.
According to Aditi Verma Thakur, senior partner at Ediplis Counsels in Bengaluru, this milestone appears to be a result of initiatives taken by the Copyright Office.
“As per the official data released by the IP Office, around 36,000 copyright applications were received by the office, and this is notably less than the approximate number of 45,000 copyright applications that were finally disposed of,” revealed Thakur. “This discrepancy highlights that the office has been taking initiatives to streamline the registration process and clear backlogs, thereby accelerating the disposal of cases.”
She added: “The proactiveness and efforts of the IP Office definitely support the country’s vibrant IP ecosystem and ongoing innovation activities, which is also reflected through the substantial number of applications submitted to the Office. This shows the Office's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for IP owners and other stakeholders.”
- Espie Angelica A. de Leon