Copyright law in India, governed by the Copyright Act, 1957, protects the rights of creators over their original literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works. With the digital revolution making copying and distribution easier than ever, copyright infringement has become widespread, requiring effective legal enforcement. At Panchanand, our copyright infringement lawyers in Kolkata provide comprehensive legal services for copyright protection, registration, licensing, and enforcement.

Whether you are an author, musician, filmmaker, software developer, photographer, artist, or publisher, protecting your copyrighted works from infringement is essential to your creative and commercial interests.

Understanding Copyright Law in India

• Section 2 — Definitions: Defines key terms including 'author', 'work', 'literary work', 'artistic work', 'musical work', 'dramatic work', 'cinematograph film', 'sound recording', and 'computer programme'
• Section 13 — Works in Which Copyright Subsists: Original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works; cinematograph films; and sound recordings
• Section 14 — Meaning of Copyright: Exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, communicate to the public, adapt, and translate the work
• Section 17 — First Owner of Copyright: The author is the first owner, with exceptions for works made during employment or commissioned works
• Section 22-29 — Term of Copyright: Duration of copyright protection varies by work type
• Section 30 — Licences: Copyright owner can grant licences for use of the work
• Section 44-50 — Registration: Registration of copyright with the Copyright Office
• Section 51 — When Copyright Infringed: Infringement occurs when any person does anything exclusive to the copyright owner without a licence
• Section 52 — Not Infringement: Fair dealing for research, criticism, review, education, news reporting, and judicial proceedings
• Section 53 — Importation of Infringing Copies: Copyright owner can prevent importation of infringing copies
• Section 55 — Civil Remedies: Injunction, damages, accounts of profits, delivery of infringing copies
• Section 63 — Offence of Infringement: Criminal penalties for knowing infringement

Our Copyright Services

Copyright Registration

We assist in: copyright registration for all types of works, preparation of application and work copies, filing with Copyright Office, responding to objections, and obtaining registration certificates. Registration provides prima facie evidence of ownership and is required for certain enforcement actions.

Copyright Licensing and Assignments

We draft and negotiate: copyright licences (exclusive and non-exclusive), assignment agreements, publishing agreements, synchronization licences, and collective administration through copyright societies.

Copyright Infringement Enforcement

We pursue enforcement through: cease and desist notices, civil suits for injunction and damages before the City Civil Court or High Court, criminal complaints under Section 63 before the Magistrate Court, Anton Piller orders for search and seizure of infringing materials, and takedown notices under the IT Act for online infringement.

Defence Against Infringement Claims

We defend clients facing copyright infringement claims using defences including: fair dealing under Section 52, lack of originality in claimed work, absence of substantial copying, ownership or licence from the copyright owner, and limitation period (3 years).

Online Copyright Protection

We handle: DMCA takedown notices, complaints to hosting platforms and ISPs, blocking of infringing websites, and action against digital piracy networks.

Why Choose Us for Copyright Matters?

• Specialised expertise in copyright law, registration, and enforcement
• Experience in civil and criminal copyright litigation
• Track record of successful infringement claims and defences
• Understanding of creative industries and digital copyright issues
• Network of forensic experts for digital evidence
• Strategic advice on copyright portfolio management

Need a Copyright Infringement Lawyer in Kolkata?

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