Understanding Copyright with Aims Associates

Copyright is a form of protection provided by copyright laws for original works of authorship, including musical compositions, poetry, films, novels, songs, software, computer programs, and other artistic works, covering both published and unpublished works. However, copyright does not protect facts, operational methods, or ideas.

In Pakistan, copyright law provides legal ownership over the work an author creates. For example, if you write a book or a poem, copyright law ensures your ownership when you register under copyright law.

Official Copyright Registration System in Pakistan

Copyright is an intellectual property (IP) protection similar to patents and trademarks. Copyright registration in Lahore and across Pakistan is regulated by the official system of the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) Pakistan and governed by the Copyright Rules, 1967. After completing copyright registration, the applicant becomes the lawful owner of their creative work, protecting it from unauthorised copying or use without permission. The author can also charge others for using their copyrighted material.

Aims Associates offers copyright registration services across all major cities in Pakistan, 

Intellectual Property and Your Work

What Intellectual Property Is

Choosing the appropriate type of intellectual property (IP) protection can serve as a valuable tool to prevent others from copying your:

• Product or brand names
• Inventions and designs
• Written works and artistic creations

Trademarks, copyright, patents, and design registrations are all forms of IP protection. It’s advisable to keep your creations confidential until they’re officially registered under Pakistan’s IP regulations.

Major Functions of the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) in Pakistan

The IPO’s main functions include:

1. Organising and managing government structures to protect IP rights.

2. strengthening IP offices and raising public awareness about IP rights.

3. Advising the federal government on IP policy implementation.

4. Ensuring enforcement of IP rights through designated agencies like police, FIA, and Pakistan Customs.

5. Safeguarding the IP system under Pakistan’s regulations.

How Copyright Protects Your Work

Copyright protects original works by restricting others from:

• Copying your work.
• Distributing your work, either for free or for sale.
• Renting or lending your work.
• Performing or displaying your work publicly.
• Modifying or creating adaptations of your work.
• Publishing your work online.

Copyright vs. trademark and patent

Copyright protects an author’s original work, while a patent protects inventions. A trademark, meanwhile, safeguards a name, phrase, or design that identifies and differentiates a product or service’s origin from others.

Works Protected Under Copyright

The following works are eligible for copyright protection under the Copyright Rules, 1967, with the IPO in Pakistan:

• Films and documentaries.
• Musical compositions and sound recordings.
• Artistic works like paintings, maps, photographs, and sculptures.
• Original literary works, dictionaries, software, and data compilations.
• Broadcasts on TV and radio.
• Published editions of books, research work, newspapers, manuals, and catalogues.

Requirements for Copyright Registration in Pakistan

Necessary details of the applicant

• Applicant’s Name, Address, and Nationality: Include company incorporation and registration certificates for business entities.
• Copies in Soft Format: Submit a soft copy of the work in PDF, JPEG, or GIF format. For computer programs, CDs or DVDs must be provided.
• Power of Attorney: Signed by the applicant, appointing Aims Associates or an authorised advocate to handle the registration process.

Documents Required for Copyright Registration

• The applicant’s identity details, including a copy of the CNIC.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the publisher if the work is already published.
• Search report from the trademark office, if applicable.
• NOC from individuals whose images appear in the artistic work.
• Power of Attorney signed by the applicant.
• Four copies of the work.
• Payment via pay order or demand draft to the Director-General of IPO Pakistan.
• NOC from the author, if the applicant differs from the author.

Advantages of Copyright Registration

• Legal Protection: Protects in case of disputes.
• Market Goodwill: Increases brand recognition.
• Global Protection: offers international recognition.
• Intangible Asset Creation: Adds value to your IP.
• Extended Protection: lifetime protection plus 50 years after the author’s death.
• Increased market credibility: strengthens brand identity.

How to Register Copyright in Pakistan

An application with all the required documents and fees is filed with the IPO. After submission:

1. The application is reviewed, and if no objections arise within 30 days, it proceeds to examination.

2. If no discrepancies are found, the registration is approved, and the registrar issues a copyright certificate.

3. The IPO publishes a copyright notice in the newspaper. If no objections are raised within the specified period, the registration is finalised.

If any objections arise, both parties are given a chance to resolve the matter. The registrar then issues a decision based on the outcome.

Average Processing Time for Copyright Registration in Pakistan

Process Step	Average Time
Acknowledgement Receipt Issuance	1 week
Application Examination	9 months
Certificate Issuance	2 months
Total Processing Time	11 months
Miscellaneous Requests (No Hearing Required)	1 month