Income accrued in India - royalty receipt - As noted that the...

Income accrued in India - royalty receipt - As noted that the definition of royalty under the ITA, prior to amendment in 2012, as well as the DTAAs under consideration [which are similar/identical to the OECD Model Convention (MC)], necessarily requires grant of a copyright in software to the licensee for the payment to qualify as royalty. Since the payment made by end users and distributors did not involve payment for grant of any right specified under the ICA, payments made by the distributors and end users do not qualify as royalty under the DTAA, as well as the pre-amended provisions of the ITA. Such payments qualify as business income not taxable in India under the DTAA. - AT

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