How do you get a copyright?

[Epyon5757]

Anyone have any idea how to get their own songs/music copyrighted? I've got a few completed songs that I would like to start using with my church band during youth services and such, but I won't bring them out until I get them copyrighted...

Epyon
Champaign, IL

[Michael]

See this page: http://www.copyright.gov/register/performing.html

You can copyright many songs as a "collection" and then you only have to pay one fee.

[gman]

technically a song is copyrighted the minute you write it, and it would be illegal for someone else to use it. Obviously applying for a copyright gives you more legal standing. One thing you can do is record your songs onto a tape or CD, mark the date on there, stick it in an envelope and mail it to yourself. Then you will just leave that copy sealed in the envelope. That's your proof of how far back the song belongs to you.

GMan

[Michael]

Gman... you are correct that the copyright is technically in existence as soon as the creation is "fixed" in tangible form (if you think it up but never write it down, it's not under copyright, but if you write it down it is "fixed" on that piece of paper and it is under copyright). Registering your copyright with the copyright office is just for proof. As to the mail-it-to-yourself technique you mentioned... that is very weak proof of copyright and probably would not stand up in a court case. Better to spring for the $40 fee or whatever and do an official registration. Plus, you get a nifty certificate in the mail.

[skayc1]

from what I learned about copywrights when researching it, publishing companies will usually register your copywright for you, and prefer to do that , and like previous replies above, the copywright laws that we now have, says the copywright is allready belongs to the person writing it ( or drawing it for artist like me). It's just a matter of registering it. from a childrens book writer illustrator site, I learned that most publishing companies prefer you to not have the piece allready registerred yet, I do not know what recording studios prefer though.

[Michael]

There is no reason for a publishing company to "prefer" that you not register your own copyright. In fact, particularly books are almost always registered in the name of the author himself, in contrast to musical works which, for some reason I don't know and haven't particularly tried to look up, are registered under pseudonyms and "company" names instead of individuals' names. I'd like to see a link to a Web site that says to leave your work unprotected; I'm interested to know how there could possibly be a legitimate reason to do so.

You should protect your own work, particularly when showing it to someone who stands to benefit financially from it if they steal it. I'm not trying to be blunt, but that's the way it is. You don't leave your car keys in the ignition with the engine running, and you shouldn't leave your hard work unprotected.

[Edward]

from what I learned about copywrights when researching it, publishing companies will usually register your copywright for you, and prefer to do that , and like previous replies above, the copywright laws that we now have, says the copywright is allready belongs to the person writing it ( or drawing it for artist like me). It's just a matter of registering it. from a childrens book writer illustrator site, I learned that most publishing companies prefer you to not have the piece allready registerred yet, I do not know what recording studios prefer though.

1. You are not going to get a publishing deal if you are a rookie, most generally. Publishing deals go to people that have a history of hit writing ability. Sure they handle it, because they want to stick their hand in your pocket. They will charge you to do what you can do for yourself, as well as mark up the cost of the paper, the stamp and the labor.

2. Do as the gov site says. Mailing a copy to yourself is meaningless on it's own.

3. The copywrite should be done ASAP.

4. Recording studios are not legal watchdogs. There was a case where a studio was sued over a parody deal, but it was thrown out. The studio provides the service to capture. There will come a day we fear, when studios will be sued as well. Times are changing here in the USSR.

Thought Police: We are now in a country where it is permitted to ban artists from performing, based on their personal beliefs. Poker Face was the first band to make headlines a few years ago. You can mark my words that Christian bands will be next, along with pastors who are getting the thumb from the IRS.