QLIKTECH INTERNATIONAL AB,BANGLORE vs. DCIT (INTERNATIONAL TAXATION), NEW DELHI

“The order passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax 1. (Appeals)-43, New Delhi ["CIT(A)"] under section 250(6) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 ("the Act") for the Assessment Year ("AY") 2014-15, in so far as it is prejudicial to the interests of the Appellant, is bad in law and on facts.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT

Treatment of the consideration as payment for use of copyright in a process and for transfer of information of commercial or industrial nature

The learned CIT(A) has erred in law and on facts by treating 2. the consideration received by the Appellant for sale of software as consideration for the sale of a process or for the transfer of information of commercial or industrial nature and therefore treating it as "royalty' under the provisions of section 9(i)(vi) of the Act as well as under Article 12 of the India-Sweden Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement ("DTAA")..

The learned CIT(A) has erred in law and on facts by stating 3. that the sale of software by the Appellant to end-users through distributors/ re-sellers has to be treated same as the supply of software by the Appellant to the end-users directly

The learned CIT(A) has erred in law in relying on evidence 4. (which is unverified) from the internet, some of which are only Analysts' comments.

The learned CIT(A) has erred in law and on facts in coming to 5.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT a completely new conclusion, not canvassed by the Assessing Officer ("AO"). Without prejudice to the above -

The learned CIT(A) has erred in law and on facts in 6. concluding that the consideration received by the Appellant is for the transfer of information of commercial or industrial nature without appreciating the fact that what is being distributed is only a software, as a product, and not any commercial or industrial information as such.

Copyright vs Copyrighted Article

The learned AO and the CIT(A) have erred in law and on 7. facts in holding that the sale of software products by the Appellant to its Indian distributors for further sale to end- users is in the nature of transfer of "copyright" and therefore taxable in hands of the Appellant as 'royalty' under the provisions of section 9(i)(vi) of the Act as well as under Article 12 of the India-Sweden DTAA

The learned AO and the CIT(A) have erred in law and on 8.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT facts in failing to appreciate that the sale of software is in nature of sale of "copyrighted article" and not in nature of transfer of "copyright" and therefore mere transfer of a copyrighted article, without transferring the right in the copyright, shall not be held as payment towards "royalty" and consequently, cannot be taxed in the hands of the Appellant.

The learned AO and the CIT(A) have erred in law and on 9. facts in failing to appreciate that only payments made to use/acquire a right to use a copyright of a literary, artistic, or scientific work is covered within the definition of royalty and that payments made for acquiring the right to use the product itself without allowing any right to use the copyright in the product, patent, secret formula or process, is not covered within the scope of "royalty"

10. The learned AO and the CIT(A) have erred in law and on facts by not following the various rulings of jurisdictional Delhi High Court ("DHC") by stating that the same do not apply to the Appellant.

11. The learned AO and the CIT(A) have erred in law and on Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT

facts in failing to appreciate the fact that the amendments made to section 9(l)(vi) of the Act vide Finance Act 2012 would be rendered inapplicable considering the beneficial provisions under the India-Singapore DTAA which have not been amended.

12. The learned CIT(A) has therefore erred in law by confirming the addition of Rs 69,539,924 as made by the AO on account of consideration received by the Appellant from the resellers by treating the same as 'royalty' under the provisions of section 9(i)(vi) of the Act as well as under Article 12 of the India-Sweden DTAA.

13. T he Learned AO and the CIT(A) have therefore erred in law and on facts in concluding that the Appellant has concealed particulars of income and in initiating penalty proceedings by issuing notice under section 274 read with section 271 of the Act,

Each of the above grounds is independent and without prejudice to the other grounds of appeal preferred by the Appellant.”

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT

5.1 So far as the remaining grounds are concerned the Ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that assessee is a tax resident of Sweden, therefore, in view of Section 90(2) of the Act or the DTAA whichever is more beneficial to the assessee shall apply. He submitted that since the definition of royalty provided under Article 12 of the India-Sweden DTAA is more beneficial as compared to the provisions of Section 9(1)(vi) of the Act, therefore, the DTAA shall apply. He submitted that the Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the immediately preceding asstt. Year i.e asstt. Year 2012-13 and 2013-14 had held that what is being provided by Qlik India to end users is neither the copyright in the software nor the use of the copyright in the software but right to use the copyrighted material or article which is clearly distinct from the rights in a copyright. It has held that the right that is being transferred is not a right to use the copyright but is only limited to the right to use the copyrighted material and the same

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT does not give rise to any royalty income. He submitted that the QlikTech Software product in question in the current year and also in the preceding assessment year is the same, He further submitted that the sale of software in the instant case cannot be held to be “use of process” or “information concerning Industrial, commercial or scientific experience” because the end users do not have any access to the source code and what is available merely for their use is software product as such and not the process embedded in it and all intellectual property rights and other rights relating to the QlikTech products at all times is the exclusive property of the assessee.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT in the instant case cannot be taxed as “Royalty” in view of Article 12 of DTAA.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT to the decision of the Tribunal in assessee’s own case for the immediately preceding assessment years, ie, 2012-13 and 2013- 14, he submitted that the Tribunal has negated the stand of the AO and has held that what has been transferred is neither the copyright in the software nor the use of the copyright in the software, but what is transferred is the right to use the copyrighted material or article which is clearly distinct from the rights in a copyright. He submitted that the amendment in the DTAA unilaterally cannot be enforced, therefore, the provisions of Section 9(1)(vi) are not applicable to the instant case. Relying on various other decisions he submitted that the courts have held that in the case of sale of software the payment is towards the sale of copyrighted article and not towards the copyright and therefore, do not get covered by the definition of royalty as per the DTAA and therefore, not taxable in India. He accordingly submitted that payments received by the assessee during the subject assessment year from the sale of software would not be taxable under section 9(1)(vi) of the Act read with Article 12 of the India-Sweden DTAA.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT

8. Ld. DR on the other hand strongly relied on the order of the Ld. CIT(A). He submitted that Ld. CIT(A) has distinguished the case of the assessee by highlighting that it is not a case of sale of simplicitor software. He submitted that Ld. CIT(A) using the information available in public domain found that the assessee has effectively delivered technology driven process to the end user which was secret process for the user. However, in the cited case by the Ld. Counsel for the assessee, no such distinction was highlighted. He submitted that there are two different level of processes involved in technology driven business solution. At one level, the process is in the context of the manner of writing a computer program. In simpliciter sale of software, the process is used to define the computer program and the same has been dealt with by Tribunal. However, the term “process” at other level is the technology driven process which is available for use by the end user. . The instance of supply of software is distinguishable from the delivery of complete solution where the solution is confirmed as per the specific requirements of the clients. He accordingly submitted that the order of Ld. CIT(A) being in consonance with law should be upheld and the grounds raised by the assessee should be dismissed.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT Act clearly provide the consideration for use of process or consideration for Industrial or commercial knowledge.

10. We find an identical issue had come up before the Tribunal in assessee’s own case in the immediately preceding assessment years. We find in those two years the revenue had come up before the Tribunal challenging the order of the Ld. CIT(A) wherein he had held that receipts of the assessee from sale of software are not taxable as royalty although by selling software assessee has transferred the rights to use to software. Ld. CIT(A) in those two years have held that receipts of the assessee from sale of software are not taxable as royalty even when explanation 4 to section 9(1)(vi) of the Act clearly states that consideration in respect of transfer of all or any rights for use or right to use a computer software irrespective of the medium through which such right is taxable as royalty. We find the Tribunal after considering various decisions including the decision of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in the case of DCIT Vs Infrasoft Ltd. 264 CTR 329 and in the case of DIT Vs M/s Nokia Networks (358 ITR 259) has decided the issue as under :- “6. In this background the points to be adjudicated would be Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT

a) Whether the receipts from sale of software be treated as royalty or not. b) Whether the effect of amendment in Section 9(1)(vi) brought about by the Finance Act, 2012 can be read into the treaty or not. 7. We have heard the arguments of both the parties and perused the material on record.

“85. The Licensing Agreement shows that the license is non-exclusive, non-transferable and the software has to be uses in accordance with the Agreement.Only one copy of the software is being supplied for Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT each site. The licensee is permitted to make only one copy of the software and associated support information and that also for backup purposes. It is also stipulated that the copy so made shall include Infrasoft’s copyright and other proprietary notices. All copies of the Software are the exclusive property of Infrasoft. The Software includes a licence authorisation device, which restricts the use of the Software. The software is to be used only for Licensee‟s own business as defined within the Infrasoft Licence Schedule. Without the consent of the Assessee the software cannot be loaned, rented,sold, sublicensed or transferred to any third party or used by any parent, subsidiary or affiliated entity of Licensee or used for the operation of a service bureau or for data processing. The Licensee is further restricted from making copies, decompile, disassemble or reverse-engineer the Software without Infrasoft’s written consent. The Software contains a mechanism which Infrasoft may activate to deny the Licensee use of the Software in the event that the Licensee is in breach of payment terms or any other provisions of this Agreement. All copyrights and intellectual property rights in and to the Software,and copies made by Licensee, are owned by or duly licensed to Infrasoft.

software and associated support information and that also for backup purposes. It is also stipulated that the copy so made shall include Infrasoft’s copyright and other proprietary notices. All copies of the Software are the exclusive property of Infrasoft. The Software includes a licence authorisation device, which restricts the use of the Software. The software is to be used only for Licensee’s own business as defined within the Infrasoft Licence Schedule. Without the consent of the Assessee the software cannot be loaned, rented, sold, sublicensed or transferred to any third party or used by any parent, subsidiary or affiliated entity of Licensee or used for the operation of a service bureau or for data processing. The Licensee is further restricted from making copies, decompile, disassemble or reverse- engineer the Software without Infrasoft’s written consent. The Software contains a mechanism which Infrasoft may activate to deny the Licensee use of the Software in the event that the Licensee is in breach of payment terms or any other provisions of this Agreement. All copyrights and intellectual property rights in and to the Software, and copies made by Licensee, are owned by or duly licensed to Infrasoft.

made between the acquisition ofa "copyright right" and a "copyrighted article". Copyright is distinct from the material object, copyrighted. Copyright is an intangible incorporeal right in the nature of a privilege, quite independent of any material substance, such as a manuscript. Just because one has the copyrighted article, it does not follow that one has also the copyright in it. It does not amount to transfer of all or any right including licence in respect of copyright. Copyright or even right to use copyright is distinguishable from sale consideration paid for “copyrighted” article. This sale consideration is for purchase of goods and is not royalty.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT his copyright, is not the same thing as transferring or assigning rights in relation to the copyright. The enjoyment of some or all the rights which the copyright owner has, is necessary to invoke the royalty definition. Viewed from this angle, a nonexclusive and non-transferable licence enabling the use of a copyrighted product cannot be construed as an authority to enjoy any or all of the enumerated rights ingrained in Article 12 of DTAA. Where the purpose of the licence or the transaction is only to restrict use of the copyrighted product for internal business purpose, it would not be legally correct to state that the copyright itself or right to use copyright has been transferred to any extent. The parting of intellectual property rights inherent in and attached to the software product in favour of the licensee/customer is what is contemplated by the Treaty. Merely authorizing or enabling a customer to have the benefit of data or instructions contained therein without any further right to deal with them independently does not, amount to transfer of rights in relation to copyright or conferment of the right of using the copyright. The transfer of rights in or over copyright or the conferment of the right of use of copyright implies that the transferee/licensee should acquire rights either in entirety or partially coextensive with the owner/transferor who divests himself of the rights he possesses pro tanto.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT process is necessary to make the programme functional and to have access to it and is qualitatively different from the right contemplated by the said paragraph because it is only integral to the use of copyrighted product. Apart from such incidental facility, the licensee has no right to deal with the product just as the owner would be in a position to do.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT

licensee permitting him to download the computer programme and storing it in the computer for his own use was only incidental to the facility extended to the licensee to make use of the copyrighted product for his internal business purpose. The said process was necessary to make the programme functional and to have access to it and is qualitatively different from the right contemplated by the said provision because it is only integral to the use of copyrighted product. The right to make a backup copy purely as a temporary protection against loss, destruction or damage has been held by the Delhi High Court in DIT v. M/s Nokia Networks OY (Supra) as not amounting to acquiring a copyright in the software.

9. Since, the matter stands settled by the order of the Hon’ble High Court, we hereby uphold the ld. CIT (A) observation that the right to use granted through licensing of a software does riot fall within the meaning of “Royalty” as provided for in the domestic law or the DTAA. Any consideration for the same is not taxable as Royally under section 9(1)(vi) or the relevant DTAA. Thus what has been transferred by the appellant is neither the copyright in the software

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT nor the use of the copyright in the software, but what is transferred is the right to use the copyrighted material or article which is clearly distinct from the rights in a copyright. The right that is transferred is not a right to use the copyright but is only limited, to the right to use the copyrighted material and the same does not give rise to any royalty income.

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT determination of royalty of payment of transponder fee, it adequately dealt with the issue of Section 9(1)(vi). The relevant extract of the said order read as under:

“74. Even when we look into the matter from the standpoint of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), the case of the appellant gets boost. The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has framed a model of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) entered into by India are based. Article 12 of the said model DTAA contains a definition of royalty which is in all material respects virtually the same as the definition of royalty contained in clause (iii) of Explanation 2 to Section 9(1) (vi) of the Act. This fact is also not in dispute. ………..

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT be relevant is if such change is incorporated into the agreement itself and not otherwise. A change in executive position cannot bring about a unilaterall legislative amendment into a treaty concluded between two sovereign states. It is fallacious to assume that any change made to domestic law to rectify a situation of mistaken interpretation can spontaneously further their case in an international treaty. Therefore, mere amendment to Section 9(1)(vi) cannot result in a change. It is imperative that such amendment is brought about in the agreement as well. Any attempt short of this, even if it is evidence of the State’s discomfort at letting data broadcast revenues slip by, will be insufficient to persuade this Court to hold that such amendments are applicable to the DTAAs.”

11. Since the facts of the instant assessment year are identical to the facts of the two preceding assessment years decided by the Tribunal in assessee’s own case, therefore, respectfully following the decision of the coordinate bench of the Tribunal we set aside the order of the Ld. CIT(A) and hold that consideration received by the assessee for sale of software cannot be treated as royalty under the provision of section 9(1)(vi) of the Act as well as Article

Qliktech International AB vs. DCIT 12 of the India-Sweden DTAA and that the sale of software products by the assessee to its Indian distributors for further sale to end users is not in the nature of transfer of “copyright” and therefore not taxable in the hands of the assessee as “royalty” under the provision of section 9 (1)(vi) of the Act as well as Article 12 of the India-Sweden DTAA. 12. The grounds raised by the assessee are accordingly allowed.