1. 🎤 Introduction
In the music, podcasting, and digital audio world, sound recordings are valuable intellectual properties. Whether you’re a musician, label owner, or audio producer, copyrighting your sound recordings ensures exclusive ownership and protects your work from duplication or theft.
Under the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, sound recordings are treated as an independent copyrightable work.
🔒 Protect your voice, music, podcast, or jingle—ownership begins with registration!
2. 📝 Types of Licenses Offered
When you register a sound recording copyright, you are securing rights such as:
- 🎶 Right to reproduce the audio
- 📢 Right to perform it publicly
- 📀 Right to distribute the recording
- 🛒 Right to sell/licence the audio
- 🌍 Right to stream on digital platforms
🎧 This applies to songs, instrumental tracks, audiobooks, podcasts, jingles, interviews, and more.
3. 👥 Who Needs These Services?
If you’re in any of the following categories, you must copyright your recordings:
- Music producers
- Independent artists
- Podcast creators
- Recording studios
- Ad agencies (for jingles)
- Audiobook publishers
- Voice-over professionals
🎵 Case Study: A Delhi-based indie artist successfully removed their pirated song from YouTube and Spotify using their copyright certificate as proof.
4. 🧑⚖️ Why Choose a License Registration Service Provider?
A professional copyright agent can help you:
- Choose the right category under “Sound Recording”
- Format and submit audio evidence properly
- Handle legal objections
- Monitor status and expedite errors
💼 Bonus: Legal drafting of declaration and consent letters (required if multiple contributors are involved).
5. 🛠️ Registration Process
Step-by-Step Process (Online – 2025):
- Go to https://copyright.gov.in
- Register/Login to your user account
- Select Sound Recording as the category
- Fill Form XIV
- Upload the sound file (in mp3/wav format)
- Attach Statement of Particulars & Statement of Further Particulars
- Pay Govt Fee (₹2,000)
- Wait for 30-day objection period
- Receive digital Certificate of Registration if no objection
🔊 Optional: Submit lyric sheet & composer/performer NOCs for additional protection.
6. 📃 Required Documents
To register a sound recording, you will need:
- Identity proof of the applicant
- Audio file (MP3 or WAV, under 20MB)
- Title & duration of the track
- Lyricist/Composer/Performer NOCs (if not the same person)
- Declaration of originality
- Address proof
- Payment receipt
🔖 Optional: Upload artwork/cover or album concept if applicable.
7. 💰 Cost Involved
| Type | Government Fee |
| Sound Recording Copyright | ₹2,000 |
| Professional Help (Optional) | ₹2,000–₹5,000 |
💡 You only need to register once, and copyright lasts for 60 years from the year of publication.
8. ⏱️ Time Taken
- 🕐 Objection Period: 30 days
- ⚙️ Processing & Approval: 15–25 days
- 📜 Total Timeline: Approx. 45–60 days
🚀 Pro tip: Keep a copy of the email acknowledgement—it acts as interim proof.
9. ⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Uploading incomplete or draft audio files
- Not obtaining NOC from lyricist or producer
- Forgetting to watermark metadata (Track name/Artist)
- Incorrect category selection (e.g., Literary Work instead of Sound Recording)
- Leaving metadata fields blank (ISRC, composer name, etc.)
🚫 Don’t skip this process—oral claims won’t hold up legally.
10. 📞 Call-to-Action (CTA)
Need help with copyrighting your music or audio recordings?
📧 Email: opriyatrendingpvtltd@gmail.com
📲 WhatsApp: +91 7588756518
🌐 Website: https://www.opriyatrending.in
We assist with documentation, NOC drafting, and tracking your copyright application end-to-end.
11. ❓ FAQs
Q1. Can I copyright just one song?
✅ Yes. You can copyright even a single song or jingle.
Q2. Can I include multiple tracks in one application?
No, each track or compilation must be registered separately unless it’s an album submitted as one collective work.
Q3. What if I composed the music but someone else sang it?
Get a performer NOC or file a joint application.
Q4. Can I copyright a podcast episode?
Absolutely! Podcast episodes are protected under sound recording.
Q5. Do I need to upload the full song?
Yes, but limited file size (20MB) is allowed. Use high-quality compressed formats like MP3 (320 kbps).
