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Make sure your music is protectedMake sure your music is protected
Understanding music copyright
On the surface the copyrighting process seems easy. Once you write a song and set it in any fixed format, it inherently belongs to you, thanks to Intellectual Property Rights. You own the rights to copy, profit, and distribute it to fans everywhere. However, you can take additional steps to protect your property rights and ensure you’re entitled to the ownership of your music. Copyrighting and licensing are involved processes and can often be confusing for musicians and songwriters in the music industry. From protecting your original work to breaking down master rights, we’re here to help you understand how it all works so you can focus on what’s important, your musical work.
Registering your music with the United States Copyright Office
How much time did you put into your new album? You didn’t do the bare minimum to create your music, so don’t do the minimum to protect it! Register your original work with the United States Copyright Office (https://www.copyright.gov). Doing so creates a public record with the Library of Congress and allows you to claim statutory damages if anyone attempts to infringe on your work. Becoming a copyright holder through an Official copyright registration process is worth doing if you’re planning on distributing your music. You can register a single song or an entire album. The price is the same and is approximately $50. Most artists elect to copyright an entire album, but you certainly can copyright a new single or an EP.
How long does it take to copyright music?
If you‘re using the online submission form, the United States Copyright Office registration typically takes three months. Paper registrations can take up to ten months.
“Poor man’s copyright”
If you’re a musician or even just familiar with this industry, odds are you’ve heard of “poor man’s copyright.” This is an unofficial method of proving copyright and it involves mailing yourself a copy of your own work. This isn’t a substitution for actual copyright registration. Although mailing something shows a stamped date, it’s not recognizable as official proof of copyright. Save yourself the time and the trip to the post office.
Sound Recordings and Performing Arts
There are two different types of music copyright: Sound Recordings (SR) and Performing Arts (PA). If you’re copyrighting Sound Recordings, you’ll fill out the SR form. This encompasses the protection of all recorded sounds (the actual audio of a smooth melody or your vocalist hitting those high notes). On the other hand, when you’re copyrighting the written composition of your music (split sheets, lyrics, chords, etc.), you’ll be filling out the PA form. If you write and perform your own music, you only need to fill out the SR form. You can easily go this route, as long as you are in fact the owner of both copyrights.
Registering a composition with a performing rights society
As a songwriter, you deserve the right to collect royalties whenever your copyrighted music is being performed. After you fill out the PA form for your composition, you may want to register your song with performing rights societies such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. These organizations collect royalties from venues, streaming services, radio stations, etc., whenever your music is played and then distribute the songwriting earnings to you.