How do you guys copyright your originals?

[Ben M.]

I’d like to start sharing my originals on social media/YouTube.

I googled how to copyright songs and there seem to be an infinite number of methods and websites to use.

Any advice on the easiest, cheapest way to go about it would be greatly appreciated.

[Acousticado]

Here’s my understanding...

Copyright happens at the time of creation. Proving it is the issue. Registering the copyright (words and music, as applicable) with the U.S. Library of Congress, Copyright Office for a fee is arguably the best way to protect. Individual songs or a compilation can be copyrighted under one submission. The myth of posting a registered mailing to yourself and not opening offers no protection. The same probably holds true for posting/sharing songs on the internet...just because you uploaded it doesn’t provide protection.

[Ben M.]

Thanks Tom.

That’s what I’ve found with my research as well. It’s looking like going through copyright.gov is my safest bet.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Ben M.

Thanks Tom.

That’s what I’ve found with my research as well. It’s looking like going through copyright.gov is my safest bet.

Hi Ben

I once asked a recording artist who is a prolific writer when he copyrights his songs, and he told me at the time-frame he's in the studio recording them, or if there's a new song he's using frequently on tour (registers it while on tour).

I asked why and he said it's too expensive for him to copyright every song.

[Ben M.]

Thank you Larry.
I’ve got about 20 songs I’d like to get out there. If I’m understanding it right the cost is $35 per song or you can copyright several songs as an album for the same price.

This all new to me and I’m just trying to figure it all out.

I’ve never been very good at understanding legal mumbo jumbo.

[Ben M.]

Well I’ve found that copyright.gov is the dumbest website on the entire internet. I can’t seem to get anything accomplished there.

Still looking for advice….

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by Ben M.

Well I’ve found that copyright.gov is the dumbest website on the entire internet. I can’t seem to get anything accomplished there.

Still looking for advice….

I registered my first three CD with the U.S. Library of Congress, Copyright Office. Not that difficult. For the more recent recordings I just had them digitally distributed by CDBaby. There is some proof there as there are dates for everything.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Ben M.

Thank you Larry.
I’ve got about 20 songs I’d like to get out there. If I’m understanding it right the cost is $35 per song or you can copyright several songs as an album for the same price.

This all new to me and I’m just trying to figure it all out.

I’ve never been very good at understanding legal mumbo jumbo.

Hi Ben

Yes you can.

A friend of mine did that, and a company recorded an album and were able to include 4 of his songs for the price of only one because his were copyrighted that way.

[Tannin]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Copyright happens at the time of creation. Proving it is the issue.

Exactly. You have to be able to prove that you wrote the song. Anything that a court will accept is suitable. And there is the rub - who can affort to take some scumbag to court?

[TeleBluesMan]

Registering your copyright provides more than just evidence of ownership. A copyright owner cannot file a lawsuit to enforce/protect its copyrights until the U.S. Copyright Office has issued a registration. Additionally, when copyrights are registered prior to infringement (or within three months after publication of the work), a copyright owner becomes eligible for an award of statutory damages.

[KarenB]

Here's the link:https://www.copyright.gov/registration/

Music is under "Performing Arts." There are a lot of good videos to walk you through this.

As others have said, it's cost effective, if you have a bunch of them, to register them as a group.

[KevWind]

Yes register as a group (so for 20 songs that would be 2 groups of 10 ) and it is the least costly