opyright is a form of legal protection granted to original works of authorship such as literary works, music, films, software, photographs, artistic creations, and cinematographic works. In Pakistan, copyright is governed by the Copyright Ordinance, 1962, and is administered by the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan).
Copyright gives the creator the exclusive legal right to reproduce, distribute, perform, or publicly display the work. While copyright protection is automatic upon the creation of the work in a tangible form, registration is highly recommended in Pakistan to enforce rights through legal proceedings, especially in cases of infringement.
Determine Eligibility
To be eligible for copyright protection in Pakistan, the work must be original and expressed in a fixed, tangible form. Eligible works include:
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Books, articles, poetry, and other literary works
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Music compositions and sound recordings
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Paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other artistic works
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Films, dramas, documentaries, and video content
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Computer software, databases, and applications
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Photographic and architectural works
Copyright does not protect ideas, methods, or concepts—only their tangible expressions.
Prepare and File the Copyright Application
To register your copyright with IPO-Pakistan, you must complete and file a copyright application form (Form C-1).
The application must include:
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Full name and address of the applicant (creator or owner)
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A clear and concise description of the work
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Nature and category of the work (e.g., literary, artistic, musical, software)
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The date and place of creation or publication
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Name of the publisher, if applicable
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Copies of the work (hard or digital formats depending on the medium)
You can file the application manually at the IPO regional offices in Islamabad, Lahore, or Karachi, or through IPO-Pakistan’s online e-filing system introduced in recent years to streamline submissions.
Pay the Required Fee
As of 2025, the government fee for copyright registration in Pakistan remains nominal:
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PKR 1,000 per application per work
Payment can be made through:
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Bank Challan at designated National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) branches
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IPO’s e-payment system (available for online submissions)
Keep the payment receipt or challan as part of your application documentation.
Wait for the Registration Certificate
Once submitted, the IPO-Pakistan’s Copyright Office reviews your application and examines the contents to ensure eligibility and completeness. This process can take two to three months, depending on the complexity and backlog.
During this time, IPO may:
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Request clarifications or additional documents
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Raise objections if the work is found to be plagiarized or ineligible
If no objections are raised or all issues are resolved, the application proceeds to registration.
Obtain the Copyright Registration Certificate
Once approved, IPO-Pakistan issues a Copyright Registration Certificate, which serves as legal proof of ownership and authorship.
Key features of copyright registration in Pakistan:
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Valid for the lifetime of the author plus 50 years after death
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For works with joint authorship, the protection extends until 50 years after the last surviving author’s death
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For corporate-owned or anonymous works, the protection extends for 50 years from publication
This certificate becomes critical evidence in case of legal action against copyright infringement.
Required Documents for Copyright Registration in Pakistan
• Completed Copyright Application Form (Form C-1)
• Two copies of the original work
• A description and classification of the work
• Proof of payment (challan or e-payment receipt)
• Power of Attorney (if filed through an attorney or representative)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from publisher or co-authors, if applicable
• Identity documents of the applicant (CNIC or company registration)
How to Search for a Copyright in Pakistan
IPO-Pakistan provides a public access database for searching registered copyrights.
Steps to conduct a copyright search:
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Visit https://ipo.gov.pk
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Go to the “Copyright Search” option under the “Services” section
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Enter details such as the copyright owner’s name, title of the work, or registration date
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Click “Search” to view the list of works that match your criteria
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Review the search results for registration details, including date, status, and work description
This search helps verify ownership, check for duplicates, and confirm the legal status of existing copyrights.
Additional Considerations in 2025
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IPO-Pakistan has digitized a large portion of its copyright records, allowing for faster processing and certificate delivery
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Pakistan is a signatory to the Berne Convention, which ensures copyright protection for Pakistani authors in all member countries
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Moral rights such as the right of attribution and the right to object to distortion of the work are also protected under Pakistani copyright law
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Software, websites, and apps are increasingly being registered under literary works due to growing demand from the IT sector
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Infringement cases can be filed in civil courts, and remedies include damages, injunctions, and seizure of infringing materials
Why You Should Register Your Copyright
• Legal ownership confirmation to protect your work
• Essential for licensing, publishing, and monetization deals
• Helps enforce rights in court and prevent unauthorized use
• Establishes a public record of your authorship
• Enhances your credibility as a content creator or company
