How to Protect Your Script in India: Copyright, SWA Registration and Title Registration
By Gireesh Shanbbhag, Actor | Filmmaker | Screen Writer | Editor · Published 2026-10-17
Quick answer: In India, copyright in a screenplay exists automatically as soon as you write it down — registration is not required. Registration creates evidence of ownership: you can register the script as a literary or dramatic work with the Copyright Office (Form XIV, with a government fee of ₹500 per work, as reported by IP practitioners), and members of the Screenwriters Association (SWA) can register scripts with SWA, whose certificate courts have treated as prima facie evidence of ownership. Register before you share the script widely.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For a specific dispute or contract, consult an intellectual property lawyer.
Key takeaways
Copyright protects the expression — your written script — not a bare idea or a one-line concept.
Copyright Office registration and SWA registration are separate; many writers do both.
SWA registration is only available to SWA members.
Keep dated drafts, emails and version history as additional proof of authorship.
Film titles are registered separately, through industry bodies, by producers.
Is my screenplay protected without registration?
Yes. Under India's Copyright Act, 1957, a literary or dramatic work is protected from creation. The challenge is proving that you wrote it, and when, if someone else claims it. Registration and good records solve the proof problem.
What does copyright not protect?
Ideas, themes, plots in general terms and stock situations ("two brothers on opposite sides of the law") are not protected. What is protected is your specific expression: the characters as written, the sequence of scenes, the dialogue. That is why it is safer to share a full treatment or script, registered, than to pitch a loose idea.
Option 1: Copyright Office registration
File an application for a literary/dramatic work (Form XIV) on the Copyright Office's online portal, with the government fee per work.
Upload copies of the work and author details; you receive a diary number.
A 30-day period allows objections; if none are filed and the examination is satisfactory, the work is entered in the Register of Copyrights.
Processing can take time, so file early. Check the official Copyright Office website for current forms and fees.
Option 2: Screenwriters Association (SWA) registration
SWA (formerly the Film Writers' Association) is a trade union for screenwriters and lyricists in India. Members can register synopses, stories, screenplays, dialogues and lyrics, online or at the SWA office in Mumbai. In disputes, the SWA certificate has been treated as prima facie evidence of ownership, and SWA's Dispute Settlement Committee can help members with registered works. Membership has eligibility criteria; check SWA's website for current rules and fees.
Option 3: Film title registration
A film's title is not protected by registering the script. Producers register titles with industry bodies — for Kannada films, typically through the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC); for Hindi films, bodies such as IMPPA. If your title matters, discuss title registration with your producer early.
Practical steps before you share a script
Finish a complete draft — a written work, not just an idea.
Put your name, contact details and date on the title page.
Register with SWA (if a member) and/or the Copyright Office.
Share by email or a tracked link, not by hand, so there is a record.
Keep version history: dated drafts prove the development of your work.
Use a written agreement (option, purchase or collaboration) before any payment or development.
How Kathe Kaara helps you keep evidence
Kathe Kaara keeps named versions with timestamps, a full activity log per project and line-by-line comparison between drafts. You own your scripts — the platform claims no rights in your content and does not use it to train AI models — and you can lock projects with encryption, share via password-protected links and export everything at any time. These records support, but do not replace, formal registration.
Frequently asked questions
Is SWA registration mandatory?
No, but it is widely recommended for writers working in Indian film and television.
Can I copyright a story idea?
No. Copyright protects written expression, not ideas. Develop the idea into a treatment or script first.
How much does copyright registration cost in India?
IP practitioners report a government fee of ₹500 per literary or dramatic work. Check the Copyright Office for current fees.
Does registration protect my script internationally?
India is a member of the Berne Convention, so your copyright is recognised in other member countries, but registration evidence is local. For US deals, writers often also register with the US Copyright Office or the WGA registry.
Cover photo: Signing a script registration or rights agreement — by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash.