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Send
a request to add a new music copyright web site.
- What is copyrighting?
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Source:
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]
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copyright
\Cop"y*right\, n.
The right of an author or his assignee, under statute, to print and publish
his literary or artistic work, exclusively of all other persons. This right
may be had in maps, charts, engravings, plays, and musical compositions, as well as in
books.
Note: In the United States a copyright runs for the
term of twenty-eight years, with right of renewal for fourteen years on certain
conditions. |
- Why should I copyright my music?
If you have music and lyrics, and want the security of knowing that no one
else can hear your work and use it for their own without authorization, then copyrighting
is a must. On the other hand if you don't plan to record, teach or distribute your music,
copyrighting is not a necessity.
- What should I copyright, music or lyrics?
Both. Someone could hear your music and write new lyrics or
hear the lyrics and write new music for them!
Both. Someone could hear your music and write new lyrics or hear the lyrics and
write new music for them!
- What can happen if I don't copyright my music?
Anyone can claim the rights to your song. They can record
it, collect royalties without a copyright certificate from the US Copyright office, it is
upon you to prove when and if you wrote the the song. This would involve going to court,
in which case you would have to prove that you secured the copyright BEFORE the other
party.
- What are some of the benefits of
copyrighting my music?
Copyrighting affords you the opportunity to publish,
distribute, teach, and record your music. This leads to the collection of royalties, song
airplay, etc.
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What is the difference between copyrighting and publishing?
Copyrighting a work simply grants exclusive rights to the author to reap any
benefits from the publishing of the work by any party.
A song is considered published when it meets the following requirements:
1) Your song has been recorded and aired on a radio or
television station.
2) Your material has been printed and prepared to be sold.
3) Your song is recorded and ready for the retail market.
- What do I do to get my music
copywritten?
1. Choose the proper
form.
2. Get the forms from the
internet or send for them from the copyright
office.
3. Complete the form
4. Send it in with the money
5. Proof of copyright
Choose the proper form
- For published or unpublished sound recordings. (Form SR)
File this form if you are seeking to register the
"sound recording" itself, that is the work that results from the fixation of a
series of musical, spoken, or other sounds, but not the underlying musical or dramatic
work or if you are the copyright claiming for both the underlying musical work and the
wound recording. You can register both on the same form
- For published or unpublished works of the performing arts. (Form PA)
File this form if you are seeking to register the
musical or dramatic work, and not the "sound recording", even though what you
deposit for copyright purposes may be in the form of a recording.
- Get the forms
From the Internet
You can download the forms here online from the copyright office. They are in Adobe Acrobat
form. You must have this software in order to view/print the forms.
From the Copyright Office
The Library of Congress Copyright office in Washington D.C. will send you a
packet on copyrighting procedures upon request.
The Library of Congress Copyright Office
101 Independence Ave., S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000
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Complete
the Form - Tips
- The two(2) form types above do have versions containing line
by line instructions.
- Please write legibly. They now scan the form images for easy
retrieval.
- If you have multiple songs, you can save time and money by
copyrighting them all as a "musical work". This work can include multiple
titles.
- Use black ink
- Send
In Completed Form With Fee ($20)
Mail to this address
Register of Copyrights
Copyright Office
Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue S. E.
Washington, DC 20559-6000
Phone: (202) 707-3000
Voice Mail: (202) 707-9100
- Proof
of Copyright
Your copyright is effective
the same day that your completed
form is received from the copyright office, provided that everything is filled in
correctly. They will return incorrectly filled out forms to you. It takes about
five(5)
months to actually receive your copyright registration certificate for your
work/song.
Copyright
Links
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you have a web site? 
