What is Copyright?
Copyright protects original works of authorship, like music, poetry, movies, novels, songs, software, and art, both published and unpublished. However, it doesn't cover facts, systems, methods, or ideas.
In Pakistan, copyright law grants authors ownership of their creations. When you write a book or poem, you own it as the author. Copyright registration ensures your ownership is protected.
Official Copyright Registration System in Pakistan
Copyright is an intellectual property protection similar to patents and trademarks. In Taxila and across Pakistan, copyright registration follows the IPO Pakistan system and the Copyright Rules, 1967. Once registered, the applicant has legal protection for creative work such as music, books, or websites.
Copying an original work without authorization is not allowed after registration with IPO Pakistan. Using copyrighted material requires the author's permission, and the author may charge for that use.
Copyright registration in Taxila and across Pakistan safeguards creators from infringement and prevents unauthorized use or copying. MAS Law Firm attorneys can handle copyright registration in Taxila and other cities of Pakistan.
Intellectual Property and Your Work
What intellectual property is
Choose the right type of intellectual property protection to prevent others from copying your work:
- Products or brand names
- Inventions you have made
- Product designs
- Things you made, produce or write
Trademark, copyright, patents, and designs are all forms of IP protection. Keep your work confidential until it is properly filed and protected under the relevant rules and regulations in Pakistan.
How Copyright Protects Your Work
Copyright restricts others from:
- Making copies of your work
- Distributing copies of your work, whether free of charge or for sale
- Giving your work on rent or loan
- Performing or playing your work in public
- Creating versions of your work
- Placing your work on the internet
Copyright, Trademark, and Patent Comparison
Copyright registration in Pakistan with the IPO safeguards an author's original work, while a patent protects inventions.
A trademark protects words, phrases, or designs that distinguish the source of goods from one party to another. A service mark differentiates the source of a service instead of goods.
Major Functions of Intellectual Property Organization
- Coordinate and oversee all government structures to enhance protection and support for Intellectual Property (IP);
- Management and strengthening of IP offices in Pakistan
- Working and Creating awareness in Society about their IP Rights;
- Counseling of Federal Government in relation to IP Policy implementation;
- Confirming active implementation of IP rights by designated IP Enforcement Agencies (Police, FIA, and Pakistan Customs).
- Safeguard the Intellectual Property system and regulations in Pakistan.
Things Protected Under Copyright
The following may be protected under Copyright Rules 1967 with IPO in Pakistan:
- Cinematography film and documentaries
- Musical work and Sound recordings
- Artistic work like paintings, maps, charts, photographs, sculptures, Label Designs
- Original literary Books, Dictionaries, Journals, Lectures, Computer Programs, IT Software, Data, etc
- Broadcasts on different channels
- Published editions
- Catalogues
- Research Work, Newspapers, User Manuals, etc
Necessary Details of Copyright Applicants in Pakistan
- Applicant Information: To file a copyright registration application in Pakistan, provide the applicant's name, address, and nationality. For a company or firm, include the incorporation and registration certificates.
- Soft Copies and CDs: Applicant must provide a soft copy of their work in PDF, JPEG, JPG, or GIF format. For computer program copyright registration, CDs or DVDs of the programs must be provided.
- Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney, duly signed by the Applicant, authorizing the firm or advocate is required before filing a Copyright Registration Application in Taxila and other cities of Pakistan.
Documents Required for Copyright Registration in Pakistan
- Name, Address, Business Name and Nationality of the Applicant – Copy of CNIC
- Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the publisher if the work is already published and the applicant for Copyright Registration is not the publisher.
- Search Report from Trade Mark Office if any
- Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the person whose photographs appear on the artistic work
- Power of Attorney in favor of authorized Firm or Advocate signed by Applicant
- 4 Copies of work
- Pay order or Demand Draft in the name of Director General IPO Pakistan
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the author if the applicant is not the author.
Advantages of Copyright Registration in Pakistan
Legal Protection
Legal protection in a court of law
Brand Recognition
Branding and goodwill in the market
Global Protection
Global protection for your creative works
Prevents Infringement
Restricts infringement or reproduction of your work
Intangible Asset
Creation of an intangible asset
Lifetime Protection
Lifetime protection plus 50 years after the author's death
Procedure for How to Register Copyright in Pakistan
Application Submission
An application, including all required details and copyright fees, should be sent to the IPO registrar. Each application must be signed by the applicant and an advocate with a Power of Attorney. Separate applications are needed for multiple works.
Examination
If no objections are received within 30 days, the Examiner will check for application discrepancies. If none are found, the registration will be accepted and sent to the Registrar for entry in the Register and issuance of a Copyright Certificate.
Publication & Notice
The Registrar will issue a Diary No. and publish a Notice of Copyright in the newspaper. After publication, there is a mandatory waiting period for objections.
Objection Handling
If an objection is received, the Registrar notifies both parties and offers them a chance for a hearing. After the hearing, if both parties agree and resolve objections, the Registrar will decide to approve or reject the Copyright Application.
Registration Complete
Upon approval, the copyright registration is finalized and the certificate is issued to the applicant.
Average Processing Time for Copyright Registration in Pakistan
| SR No. | Type of Copyright Registration Cases | Average Time Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acknowledgment Receipt Issuance Document receipt, fee and payment verification, along with system data entry. | One week |
| 2 | Examination of application and Reporting | Nine months |
| 3 | Issuance of the Registration Certificate upon compliance with all legal requirements: processing of replies/amendments, data entry, and certificate issuance. | Two months |
| 4 | Total Time from Application Filing to Copyright Registration | Eleven months |
| 5 | Miscellaneous requests where hearing is NOT required such as:
| One month |
Offices for Filing Application For Copyright Registration in Pakistan
Karachi (Head Office)
Plot # ST 1 & 2, New Broad Casting House (Ground Floor), Behind KDA Civic Center, Block -14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi- 75300, Pakistan.
Lahore (Regional Office)
Basement of Lahore Chamber of Commerce Building, 11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat (Near China Chowk), Lahore.
Islamabad (Regional Office)
3rd Floor, NTC-HQs Building, Attaturk Avenue (East), Sector G-5/2, Islamabad.