Copyrighting songs

[heartbreaker197]

I've just gotten into recording and have recorded a few of my originals. I'm just curious to what peoples opinions are on registering copyrights? I've posted songs online and though I think it would be a slim chance that someone would "steal" my songs and actually find success with them; I'm still considering registering the copyrights. What's everyones practice with this?

 

[up-fiddler]

Good basic info here . I personally register my songs once they are recorded and released for sale. Up until that point I don't bother. I also register them with ASCAP after they are on a cd for sale. I don't make much but every little bit helps.

 

[cello_pudding]

i figure my songs suck enough that since no one wants to listen, no one wants to copy. i'm pretty much in the clear

 

[mjr]

i figure my songs suck enough that since no one wants to listen, no one wants to copy. i'm pretty much in the clear

I would hope you're not writing sucky songs on purpose.

Anyway, if you put it out there, someone will like it, and someone may try to steal it.

Put your stuff out there! You might be surprised.

 

[mikeh]

If I have a song that I feel is very good and which I am planning to pass around (to vocalists who will sing it, musicians who may record it, publishers, etc) I copyright it as soon as I complete my original demo (on which I play and sing everything). Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately), I don't write enough very good songs for this to be an expensive problem

If it is material that is not as strong and which I likely won't be agressively promoting - then I wait until I have a dozen or so songs and then copyright as a collective work.

As costly as copyrights have gotten (when I filed my first copyright - back in the 70's I think it was $10) I try to be selective about how often I copyright.

I would never post material in an open venue or even share it with people I did not trust (and I don't trust many people) unless it is copyrighted.