Right of author to relinquish copyright
Section 21 of the Copyright Act, 1957 deals with right of author to relinquish copyright. The author of a work may relinquish all or any of the rights comprised in the copyright in the work by giving notice in the prescribed form to [the Registrar of Copyrights or by way of public notice] and thereupon such rights shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), cease to exist from t The Act came into force on 21 Jan 1958.
(1) The author of a work may relinquish all or any of the rights comprised in the copyright in the work by giving notice in the prescribed form to 1[the Registrar of Copyrights or by way of public notice] and thereupon such rights shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), cease to exist from the date of the notice.
(2) On receipt of a notice under sub-section (1), the Registrar of Copyrights shall cause it to be published in the Official Gazette and in such other manner as he may deem fit.
2[(2A) The Registrar of Copyright shall, within fourteen days from the publication of the notice in the Official Gazette, post the notice on the official website of the Copyright Office so as to remain in the public domain for a period of not less than three years.]
(3) The relinquishment of all or any of the rights comprised in the copyright in a work shall not affect any rights subsisting in favour of any person on the date of notice referred to in sub-section (1).
Section 21, The Copyright Act, 1957 (Act 14 of 1957).
Made under this section, and citing it
2 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 21
What does Section 21 of the Copyright Act deal with?
Section 21 of the Copyright Act is headed "Right of author to relinquish copyright". The author of a work may relinquish all or any of the rights comprised in the copyright in the work by giving notice in the prescribed form to [the Registrar of Copyrights or by way of public notice] and thereupon such rights shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), cease to exist from t
How do I find court cases under Section 21 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 21, section 21 Copyright Act, section 21 of the Copyright Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 21 of the Copyright Act, and has it changed?
2 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently The Copyright Rules, 2013 (2013), then The Copyright Rules, 1958 (1958).
When did Section 21 of the Copyright Act come into force?
Section 21 of the Copyright Act, cited as Copyright Act 21, 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 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.