Section 46 of the Copyright Act, 1957 - Indexes

Section 46 forms part of Chapter X of the Copyright Act, 1957, dealing with registration of copyright. It requires the Copyright Office to maintain prescribed indexes of the Register of Copyrights.

Text of Section 46 - Indexes

There shall be also kept at the Copyright Office such indexes of the Register of Copyrights as may be prescribed.

Meaning and scope of Section 46

Section 46 is an administrative provision connected with the statutory Register of Copyrights. In simple terms, the provision requires the Copyright Office to keep indexes relating to that Register in the manner prescribed under the applicable copyright rules.

The provision should be read with Section 44, which provides for the Register of Copyrights, Section 45, which deals with entries in the Register, and Section 47, which concerns the form and inspection of the Register.

What is the Register of Copyrights?

The Register of Copyrights is the statutory register maintained by the Copyright Office under the Copyright Act, 1957. It records prescribed particulars concerning registered works. Section 46 supplements that registration framework by requiring indexes of the Register to be maintained as prescribed.

Copyright Rules and present registration framework

The registration procedure is governed by the Copyright Rules, 2013, as amended from time to time. The official Copyright Office currently provides online services for copyright registration, change in particulars, application status, the E-Register and searches of registered works. Applicants should use the current forms, procedures and fee information published by the Copyright Office.

Practical point: Section 46 itself does not create copyright or prescribe an application procedure. It concerns maintenance of indexes connected with the Register of Copyrights. Registration applications are dealt with principally under Section 45 and the applicable Copyright Rules.

Related provisions

Section 44 - Register of Copyrights establishes the statutory register. Section 45 - Entries in Register of Copyrights deals with applications and entries. Section 47 - Form and inspection of Register deals with its form and inspection. Section 48 addresses the evidentiary effect of the Register.

Official copyright resources

For current forms, rules, registration services and the E-Register, refer to the official Copyright Office, Government of India. Official resources are preferable for checking procedural changes, notifications and current filing requirements.

This page is an informational summary of Section 46 of the Copyright Act, 1957. For a specific dispute, filing or legal opinion, the Act, current rules, notifications and relevant judicial decisions should be examined together.