Another copyright question

  • Thread starter Thread starter danny.guitar
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danny.guitar

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I've got several songs that I want to copyright, and I've read over several websites, including copyright.gov, and it says I would need 2 forms, one for the actual recording itself, and one in written form (to copyright the actual song/arrangement, like chord progression, lead, etc.).

My question, is if I just registered the audio (with no transcription), would the actual underlying music/arrangement (chord prog, etc.) be copyrighted too? And if for some reason there was ever a legal dispute, would just having the audio registered protect me? Or would there have to be the transcription on file too?

Thanks for the help. :cool:
 
danny.guitar said:
I've got several songs that I want to copyright, and I've read over several websites, including copyright.gov, and it says I would need 2 forms, one for the actual recording itself, and one in written form (to copyright the actual song/arrangement, like chord progression, lead, etc.).

My question, is if I just registered the audio (with no transcription), would the actual underlying music/arrangement (chord prog, etc.) be copyrighted too? And if for some reason there was ever a legal dispute, would just having the audio registered protect me? Or would there have to be the transcription on file too?

Thanks for the help. :cool:
Click to expand...

You need to file form SR (Sound Recording). With form SR, you only need one copy (an audio CD), and the copyright form.

I don't know all the details, but check copyright.gov for form SR, and it should tell you all the details. Be advised: the cost to register a copyright is going up to $45.
 
Technically, as soon as you write the song, it is copyrighted. However, if a legal dispute arises, you need proof that you wrote it first. To that end, I believe that a SR copyright is adequate. It isn't technically a copyright of the underlying work, but it is proof that you had a copy of the underlying work first.
 
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