The Copyright Act, 1957

Sections

Chapter I
PRELIMINARY

  1. Short title, extent and commencement
  2. Interpretation
  3. Meaning of publication
  4. When work not deemed to be published or performed in public
  5. When work deemed to be first published in India
  6. Certain disputes to be decided by Copyright Board
  7. Nationality of author where the making of unpublished work is extended over considerable period
  8. Domicile of corporations

    9. Chapter II
    COPYRIGHT OFFICE AND COPYRIGHT BOARD

  9. Copyright Office
  10. Registrar and Deputy Registrars of Copyrights
  11. Copyright Board
  12. Powers and procedure of Copyright Board

    13. Chapter III
    COPYRIGHT

  13. Works in which copyright subsists
  14. Meaning of copyright
  15. Special provisions regarding copyright in designs registered or capable of being registered under the Designs Act, 1911
  16. No copyright except as provided in this Act

    17. Chapter IV
    OWNERSHIP OF COPYRIGHT AND THE RIGHTS OF THE OWNER

  17. First owner of copyright
  18. Assignment of copyright
  19. Mode of assignment

    20. 19A. Disputes with respect to assignment of copyright

  20. Transmission of copyright in manuscript by testamentary disposition
  21. Right of author to relinquish copyright

    22. Chapter V
    TERM OF COPYRIGHT

  22. Term of copyright in published literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works
  23. Term of copyright in anonymous and pseudonymous works
  24. Term of copyright in posthumous works
  25. Term of copyright in photographs
  26. Term of copyright in cinematograph films
  27. Term of copyright in sound recording
  28. Term of copyright in Government work
    28A. Term of copyright in works of public undertakings
  29. Term of copyright in works of international organisations

    30. Chapter VI
    LICENCES

  30. Licences by owners of copyright
    30A. Application of sections 19 and 19A
  31. Compulsory license in works withheld from public
    31A. Compulsory license in unpublished Indian works
  32. Licence to produce and publish translation
    32A. License to reproduce and publish works for certain purposes
    32B. Termination of licences issued under this Chapter

    33. Chapter VII
    COPYRIGHT SOCIETIES

  33. Registration of copyright society
  34. Administration of rights owned by copyright society
    34A. Payment of remunerations by copyright society
  35. Control over the copy right society by the owner of rights
  36. Submission of returns and reports
    36A. Rights and liabilities of performing rights societies

    37. Chapter VIII
    RIGHTS OF BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS AND OF PERFORMERS

  37. Broadcast reproduction right
  38. Performers right
  39. Acts not infringing broadcast reproduction right or performers right
    39A. Other provisions applying to broadcast reproduction right and performer's right

    40. Chapter IX
    INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT

  40. Power to extend copyright to foreign works
  41. Provisions as to works of certain international organisations
  42. Power to restrict rights in works of foreign authors first published in India
  43. Orders under this Chapter to be laid before Parliament

    44. Chapter X
    REGISTRATION OF COPYRIGHT

  44. Register of Copyrights
  45. Entries in Register of Copyrights
  46. Indexes
  47. Form and inspection of register
  48. Register of Copyrights to be prima facie evidence of particulars entered therein
  49. Correction of entries in the Register of Copyrights
  50. Rectification of Register by Copyright Board
    50A. Entries in the Register of Copyrights, etc., to be published

    51. Chapter XI
    INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT

  51. When copyright infringed
  52. Certain acts not to be infringement of copyright
    52A.     Particulars to be included in records and video films
    52B.     Accounts and audit
  53. Importation of infringing copies
    53A.     Resale share right in original copies

    54. Chapter XII
    CIVIL REMEDIES

  54. Definition
  55. Civil remedies for infringement of copyright
  56. Protection of separate rights
  57. Author's special right
  58. Rights of owner against persons possessing or dealing with infringing copies
  59. Restriction on remedies in the case of works of architecture
  60. Remedy in the case or groundless threat of legal proceedings
  61. Owner of copyright to be party to the proceeding
  62. Jurisdiction of Court over matters arising under this Chapter

    63. Chapter XIII
    OFFENCES

  63. Offence of infringement of copyright or other rights conferred by this Act
    63A. Enhanced penalty on second and subsequent convictions
    63B. Knowing use of infringing copy of computer programme to be an offence
  64. Power of police to seize infringing copies
  65. Possession of plates for purpose of making infringing copies
  66. Disposal of infringing copies or plates for purpose of making infringing copies
  67. Penalty for making false entries in register, etc., for producing or tendering false entries
  68. Penalty for making false statements for the purpose of deceiving or influencing any authority or officer
    68A. Penalty for contravention of section 52A
  69. Offences by companies
  70. Cognizance of offences

    71. Chapter XIV
    APPEALS

  71. Appeals against certain orders of Magistrate
  72. Appeals against orders of Registrar of Copyrights and Copyright Board
  73. Procedure for appeals

    74. Chapter XV
    MISCELLANEOUS

  74. Registrar of Copyright and Copyright Board to possess certain powers of Civil Courts
  75. Orders for payment of money passed by Registrar of Copyrights and Copyright Board to be executable as a decree
  76. Protection of action taken in good faith
  77. Certain persons to be public servants
  78. Powers to make rules
  79. Repeals, savings and transitional provisions