Copyright registration in Pakistan is protected by the copyright ordinance, 1962. The ordinance also gives the exclusive right to the owner to do and authorize the doing to reproduce, publish, copy, broadcast etc. of copyrighted work.
What works are copyrightable in Pakistan?
Copyrightable works include the following categories:
- Literary works
- Musical works, including any accompanying words
- Dramatic works, including any accompanying music
- Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
- Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
- Sound recordings, similar audio.
- Architectural works, designs etc.
Steps for Copyright Registration in Pakistan
Filing of Copyright Application
A copyright application is filed according to the laws of registration.
Examination
Once the application is filed, it is examined by the registrar and accepted for publication in copyright journal to invite oppositions.
Newspaper Advertisement
The applied copyright should be published as a newspaper advertisement. This step is mandatory, hence the applicant should wait for a time duration of 1 month to claim its authorship.
Objections / Oppositions
Objections can be raised by the registrar due to any type of findings which require clarification. In case of opposition by others during publication, a reply of opposition should be submitted in defense of application due to which the registration is halted.
Certificate
Finally, after a satisfactory reply of objection notice, a certificate of registration is issued. Furthermore, copyright registration is valid for a period of fifty (50) years.
Time Duration
Due to large number of registrations, the total time span for registering a copyright in Pakistan is 6 Months.