Software Copyright, Source Code & Tech Patent Filings
Securing statutory copyright protection for proprietary computer software, source code, APIs, and GUI designs as literary works, and patenting qualifying Computer-Related Inventions (CRIs) that demonstrate technical advancement and technical effect.
Copyright Act, 1957 read with Copyright Rules, 2013 & Patents Act, 1970 read with CRI Guidelines, 2017
Republic of India (Central Portal)
3 to 5 Business Days
Why This Statutory Filing Is Required
Securing statutory copyright protection for proprietary computer software, source code, APIs, and GUI designs as literary works, and patenting qualifying Computer-Related Inventions (CRIs) that demonstrate technical advancement and technical effect.
Who This Service Is For & Statutory Eligibility
Technology startups, SaaS founders, enterprise software houses, app developers, and independent creators seeking to establish prima facie legal ownership over codebases and technological innovations.
Prerequisites & Mandatory Documents Checklist
- Full source code extract (first 10 and last 10 pages for copyright, or complete sanitized repository)
- Software functionality brief, system architecture diagrams, and user interface workflows
- Author/Developer assignment agreements (verifying entity ownership under work-for-hire Section 17)
- Entity incorporation documents, MSME Udyam certificate (for 80% patent fee concession)
- NOC from authors and copyright holders in Form XIV / Statement of Particulars
- Power of Attorney (Form 48 / Form 26) authorizing patent/trademark agent
Step-by-Step Portal Execution Procedure
- Step 1: Review source code and architecture to establish copyrightable expression vs patentable CRI
- Step 2: Prepare Form XIV application for software copyright on the official Copyright Portal
- Step 3: Upload source code PDF, object code specifications, and Statement of Further Particulars
- Step 4: Receive official Diary Number; mandatory 30-day statutory waiting period for public objections
- Step 5: Scrutiny by Copyright Examiner; reply to discrepancies/objections (if raised)
- Step 6: Issuance of official Certificate of Registration of Copyright by the Copyright Office
Transparent Pricing & Statutory Cost Architecture
Software Copyright, Source Code & Tech Patent Filings
Calibrated at 9% below prevailing market fee (₹8,500). Complete professional drafting, compilation, verification, and portal upload.
- Independent Chartered Accountant / Company Secretary Verification
- Electronic Form Pre-Scrutiny & Error Reconciliation
- Digitally Signed Portal Upload with SRN Acknowledgement Delivery
Government Fees & Disbursements
Government Statutory Fee: Software Copyright (Literary Work) fee: ₹500 per work on copyright.gov.in. Patent application fee (Form 1): ₹1,600 (Natural Person / Startup / MSME) or ₹8,000 (Large Enterprise).
Statutory Penalties for Non-Compliance
Operating without copyright registration deprives tech companies of statutory prima facie evidence of ownership under Section 48 of Copyright Act, making it difficult to obtain ex-parte interim injunctions against ex-employees or competitors stealing proprietary source code.