- Music Regristation - missyredboots at Morgue File
Music copyright in the United States gives the original author of a song or song lyrics the sole rights to reproduce and distribute the work. Copyright rules apply to written as well as sound recorded works. The protection afforded under music copyright laws does not extend to ideas but only to how those ideas are expressed.
The US government office responsible for recording copyrighted music material is the Copyright Office located in the Library of Congress. This office offers three main methods for songwriters and music entrepreneurs to register songs on their own.
Electronic Music Copyright Forms
The Copyright Office recommends the use of the Electronic Copyright Office or eCO when possible to register original music works. Electronic registration is done at the website copyright.gov for a $35.00 fee. The online copyright system prompts users for the completion of an application form, payment of the registration fee and for a copy of the original work to be copyrighted. The copy or deposit of the work is sent by postal mail or submitted electronically at the site.
Online Song and Lyrics Registration Forms
The Copyright Office offers an online form for use when registering a song or music work. This form is the CO application form and it costs $50 for filing. Users need to complete the CO form online, print it and send it by mail along with the registration fee and copy of the work to the Copyright Office. The form can not be handwritten; it should be completed using a computer. This form replaces the old TX, VA, PA, SE and SR copyright registration forms for music and other works.
Manual Music Registration Forms
The Copyright Office still provides hard copy registration forms to protect songs and music works. The fee for using the paper forms is $65 payable along with the application. The manual forms are not available online, but can be requested at the Copyright Office website. It should be noted that using the paper method to copyright a song has the highest fee when compared to the other methods. Instructions on where to send the completed manual forms are provided in the application.
Songwriters and music entrepreneurs have the option of registering their music directly using the government's Copyright Office. Commercial methods such as those offered by copyright lawyers and online legal services are also available for music copyright.
Tips
- A copy or deposit of the music work includes a manuscript, a music sheet or a recorded song.
- Fragile items such as CDs, DVDs and audio cassettes should be shipped in padded boxes to avoid damage.
- Payment to use eCO must be done via credit card, debit card or electronic transfer using the Pay.gov system. Checks or money orders are use to pay for fees using the online or paper registration forms.
Resources: Public information at the Copyright Office website, current as of June 3, 2010.
Sylvia Cruz - Sylvia holds Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Administration with majors in Finance and Accounting. She is also a CIA - Certified ...
