Thanks for the helpful context, spantini.
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You wrote, "I submitted each as an .mp3 file and added notes wherever possible, including the year of authorship as part of the song name."
Q1. Besides adding year of authorship in the song name, did you add it to the song FILE name? Are there other ways to attach notes as you mention?
You wrote, "I received instant confirmation upon completion of the online form, as well as instant email confirmation. Also received an email confirmation which listed each song title, file type and size, and all attached notes."
Q2. Did you feel amply protected upon receipt of these EMAIL confirmations. In other words, would you feel confident in posting one of the songs to YouTube?
...as i get older, my equipment gets smaller[/I]
HA! My studio occupies a spare bedroom, so if we say it affects "bedroom activities" THAT'S what we mean, right? Actually, I often think about my first demo studio built around a Teac A-3340S 1/4" 4-track. My digital equipment provides 50 times the capabilities, has cost me 1/4 of what I spent on "real equipment", and when I shut down, 90% of it DISAPPEARS! Too good. I don't even have to dust anything.
Just to be clear, I would only post to YouTube if I had already submitted the LoC electronic copyright application....I wouldn't put my unregistered song(s) up on YouTube, but that's me - a personal choice.
Man, I want to believe that but if the material is good I think it's a target for getting lifted. If you care to, please tell me more about why you think otherwise....what you do put out there will most likely not be ripped off.
Agreed. My intention is to register electronically on Monday and receive electronic confirmation of the registration later that day (as you described several posts earlier). Then on Wednesday I'd upload a basic music performance video to YouTube (so the YouTube upload happens a day or two after I receive confirmation of my electronic submission to the Library of Congress)....waiting until they're registered before putting them into the public domain will greatly simplify any claims...
Yes indeedy but only after submitting the electronic registration as described above.So after all that, I think you've got the bug and are going to post some YouTube vids..
Why not? Really good, meaningful work is hard to come by, and stealing is so much easier than creating...As a counterpoint, I freely post my music anywhere and/or everywhere on the internet before I register my tunes. I'm not worried about anyone stealing my tunes.
Thanks for mentioning that, Chili. Is there a consensus as to WHICH ONE might be best for a new songwriter and (very) occasional performer with a limited repertoire, so far?As an added note, be sure to register your tunes with a performing rights organization like BMI. If your tune is played anywhere, you should get paid for it. Joining a PRO is free.
If it comes to an actual lawsuit, that Library of Congress registration will give you a LOT of legal clout. I'm not so sure about BandCamp, SoundCloud, etc because they don't operate according to the same standards the LoC does...CoolCat- Im with you. this is unnecessary nowadays. Just publish it...BandCamp. YouTube. SoundCloud. Wherever.
That's a GREAT idea. Thanks. FWIW I recently learned that data recorded to a standard CD or DVD might fail in as little as 5 years...depending on the quality of the writer device, the process, and the quality of the disk media. The way around it is to purchase ARCHIVAL CD or DVD disks, which last a lot longer but are much more expensive.And press a CDR with datestamps.
I kinda doubt it. I wouldn't want to go to court relying only on the records and reputation of on an entity known as "CD Baby." Think about it...Publishing with CD Baby will get you the same protection [as a US Library of Congress copyright registration] ]for $35.
Thanks for mentioning that, Chili. Is there a consensus as to WHICH ONE might be best for a new songwriter and (very) occasional performer with a limited repertoire, so far?
Why not? Really good, meaningful work is hard to come by, and stealing is so much easier than creating...
If it comes to an actual lawsuit, that Library of Congress registration will give you a LOT of legal clout....
I kinda doubt it. I wouldn't want to go to court relying only on the records and reputation of on an entity known as "CD Baby." Think about it...
Absolutely correct. The ONLY way to get protection is to be the first to register your material with the copyright office. In the US, that is.
Well yes here in the U.S to be able to sue for copyright infringement and win you must have a copyright registered with the U.S. copyright office ..
Being first to register does not guarantee you will win. Let's say I write a song and show it to you. You copy it and change it a little and file for a copyright. All of a sudden it's a hit and the money is rolling in and I go WTF? I can go to the copyright office and show proof that you stole my song by showing versions that were put out on the net before the date you filed and can get your copyright invalidated and still get a copyright for my song. Now this all takes time and money and there is the chance the examiner doesn't buy that you weren't the originator but being first for sure does not guarantee that you're protected if you truly stole the work.
"...and lowlifes like me." Ha! I kinda doubt that.Yes, absolutely; BMI. They are free and they cater to the singer/songwriter crowd and lowlifes, like me. ASCAP has (or had) a requirement that you have 'commercially' released material before you could join. That might have changed since I last looked because the internet has blurred the meaning of commercially released. BMI gets paid when you get paid, like it should be. You can be a member of only one PRO at a time.
If that's accurate it means I absolutely MUST submit the copyright registration.Well yes here in the U.S to be able to sue for copyright infringement and win you must have a copyright registered with the U.S. copyright office.
And that's exactly why I think publishing to YouTube is "a good thing." I also will record my work to CDs with all file dates intact, per member camn's suggestion.Being first to register does not guarantee you will win...I can go to the copyright office and show proof that you stole my song by showing versions that were put out on the net before the date you filed and can get your copyright invalidated and still get a copyright for my song
... does anybody else see a problem with that?
I am not sure the copyright office does arbitration like that.