Section 67 Copyright Act 1957 - Penalty for False Entries in Copyright Register
Section 67 of the Copyright Act, 1957 creates a criminal penalty for knowingly making, creating, producing or tendering specified false material connected with the Register of Copyrights.
What Section 67 covers
The provision protects the integrity of the Register of Copyrights and evidence derived from it. In practical terms, it addresses three categories of conduct involving false register entries or documents represented as copies of such entries.
Text and meaning of Section 67
Section 67 - Penalty for making false entries in register, etc., for producing or tendering false entries.
The section applies where a person:
(a) makes, or causes to be made, a false entry in the Register of Copyrights kept under the Act;
(b) makes, or causes to be made, a writing falsely purporting to be a copy of an entry in that register; or
(c) produces, tenders, or causes to be produced or tendered as evidence such an entry or writing while knowing it to be false.
Punishment: imprisonment which may extend to one year, or fine, or both.
Key elements of the offence
- Register of Copyrights: The provision specifically concerns the statutory Register of Copyrights maintained under the Copyright Act.
- False entry: Clause (a) addresses making or causing a false entry to be made in that register.
- False copy: Clause (b) covers a writing that falsely purports to be a copy of an entry in the register.
- Use as evidence: Clause (c) covers producing or tendering the false entry or writing as evidence where the person knows it is false.
- Penalty: The court may impose imprisonment up to one year, a fine, or both, subject to the facts and applicable law.
Why Section 67 matters
Copyright registration records can be relevant in disputes concerning ownership, authorship and other copyright particulars. Section 67 therefore penalises specified falsification of the statutory register and the knowing use of false register-related material as evidence.
Official legal resources
For the current statutory text and amendments, see the Copyright Act, 1957 on India Code. The Copyright Office - Copyright Act, 1957 provides the Act chapter-wise, and Intellectual Property India - Copyright Acts provides official Act resources.
Related provisions
Section 67 forms part of the offence-related provisions of the Copyright Act. Readers may also consult the related sections listed in the sidebar, including Sections 63 to 70, where relevant.
Disclaimer: This page is a general legal information resource and is not a substitute for professional advice on the facts of a particular case. Always verify the current statutory text and applicable amendments from official sources.