How to copyright a song in India: registration, fees and proof (2026)

Owners can assign their rights in writing. Many film and label songs are assigned to the music label, which is why a cover of a film song needs the label's permission.

No. Registration is not needed for copyright to exist, and releasing a song does not depend on it. What registration gives you is a dated, official record: under Section 48 of the Copyright Act the register is prima facie evidence of the details in it. That helps when someone copies your song, claims it on YouTube, or disputes who wrote it.

Register the songs you would fight for: singles you invest in, songs you license to others, and anything with several writers.

1. Go to the Copyright Office's online filing at copyright.gov.in and create a login.
2. File one application per work: the lyrics as a literary work, the music as a musical work, and the master as a sound recording if you want it registered too.
3. Upload a copy of the work (the lyrics text; the music as notation or audio; the recording as audio) and your identity proof.
4. If someone else is a co-author, or a label owns the music, attach their consent (a no objection letter) or the assignment.
5. Pay the fee online: Rs 500 per literary or musical work and Rs 2,000 per sound recording (Copyright Rules, Second Schedule).
6. Note the diary number. There is a waiting period for objections, then examination; answer any discrepancy letter promptly.
7. Keep the registration certificate with the song's files.

• Dated drafts of the lyrics, voice memos and project files with their stems.
• Emails or messages where the song was sent to collaborators.
• Signed split sheets and agreements with the composer, lyricist and producer.
• The release record from your distributor, with the ISRC and release date.

Mailing a copy to yourself, the so-called poor man's copyright, adds little that dated files and messages do not already show.

Copyright registration proves who owns the song. IPRS membership collects publishing royalties for writers (IPRS registration). Distribution puts the recording on the stores and collects recording royalties. A songwriter who releases their own music benefits from all three, and SUF does not take ownership of your songs or recordings; the one exception is a Royalty Advance not recouped within 36 months, as its agreement states. See Do you take rights to my music?.