Transmission of copyright in manuscript by testamentary disposition
Section 20 of the Copyright Act, 1957 deals with transmission of copyright in manuscript by testamentary disposition. Where under a bequest a person is entitled to the manuscript of a literary, dramatic or musical work, or to an artistic work, and the work was not published before the death of the testator, the bequest shall, unless the contrary intention is indicated in the testator's will or any codicil thereto, The Act came into force on 21 Jan 1958.
Where under a bequest a person is entitled to the manuscript of a literary, dramatic or musical work, or to an artistic work, and the work was not published before the death of the testator, the bequest shall, unless the contrary intention is indicated in the testator's will or any codicil thereto, be construed as including the copyright in the work in so far as the testator was the owner of the copyright immediately before his death.
Explanation.--In this section, the expression "manuscript" means the original document embodying the work, whether written by hand or not.
Section 20, The Copyright Act, 1957 (Act 14 of 1957).
Questions about Section 20
What does Section 20 of the Copyright Act deal with?
Section 20 of the Copyright Act is headed "Transmission of copyright in manuscript by testamentary disposition". Where under a bequest a person is entitled to the manuscript of a literary, dramatic or musical work, or to an artistic work, and the work was not published before the death of the testator, the bequest shall, unless the contrary intention is indicated in the testator's will or any codicil thereto,
How do I find court cases under Section 20 of the Copyright Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Copyright Act 20, section 20 Copyright Act, section 20 of the Copyright Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 20 of the Copyright Act come into force?
Section 20 of the Copyright Act, cited as Copyright Act 20, came into force on 21 Jan 1958, having been enacted on 04 Jun 1957. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 16 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.