Copyright Act, 1957 · Chapter V: Term of Copyright
Section 22: Term of copyright in published literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works
Except as otherwise hereinafter provided, copyright shall subsist in any literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work *** published within the lifetime of the author until [sixty years] from the beginning of the calendar year next following the year in which the author dies.
Explanation.—In this section the reference to the author shall, in the case of a work of joint authorship, be construed as a reference to the author who dies last.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 22
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