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.
Copyright registration application stuck at Copyright Office? File an RTI under §6(1) RTI Act 2005. Free template, Copyright Act 1957.
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.