Copyrights.. Help......

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LORDBLESS

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My question may sound dumb bt here goes.

I have 6 artist and we are putting together a complilation album. We are just about finished with the "pre-production" and before we go farther, my question is:
1. what is the best and least expensive route to take to copyright our music? I've been told that you can send them all in on one cd and pay $30?

2. Do we have to use the SR form or the PA form, I was on the US copyright site and it was a little confusing?

Any help will be greatly appreciated, We are in the process of getting someone that has a great amount of music industry knowledge, but I will still want to know, so I won't be a blind artist when it comes to issues like this.
 
I forget which form it is, but its one of those youmantioned, that allows you to send a "collection" or something like that. So, yes, you can swing them all in under 1 set like that.

But, I don't know if it has any disadvantages or anything. I use this, myself. I think the point is having it down and noted, so this should be all you need.

H2H
 
You can copyright all the songs on the CD using Form SR(Sound Recording) for one filing fee, ONLY if all the songs were written and recorded by the same artist.
In your case (a compilation) you will have to register a copyright for each song/writer. As the publisher of the compilation, you will also need to register the CD using Form PA, but if you plan to actually sell copies, you had better have a copyright lawyer prepare the contracts between you and the artists on the CD.
For complete information on this, get a copy of "This Business Of Music" published by Billboard Publications.
It covers every aspect of the industry.
Good luck!
 
This is not legal advice. I don't know how to best protect yourself in your situation, but just so you know a copyright is a copyright even if not registered. As soon as you create some original work, it is copyrighted. The reason people register copyrights is because registration yields specific benefits. I think registration is required to have to sue. Regarding registering an entire "compilations," be careful because compilations themselves are protected under copyright law. For example, a particular arrangment of x,y, and z may be protectable under copyright as z. But gaining a copyright in z does not necessarily provide a copyright in the elements x, y, and z individually. I hope this helps.
 
Just mail it to yourself, thats what all the big time musicians do:D
 
Carter Simcoe said:
Just mail it to yourself, thats what all the big time musicians do:D
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This doesn't hold in court.

The songwriter should copyright the song using a PA form. The person recording the song will use a SR form.

dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com
 
http://www.loc.gov/copyright/
That's the place to look up all information.

Please note one thing, it is a LEGAL REQUIREMENT to register copyright prior to the commercial release of any work, so in your case its a costly business.
If the CD contains all original work, that is .... if it contains covers... good luck and make some time available.
 
sjoko2 said:
Please note one thing, it is a LEGAL REQUIREMENT to register copyright prior to the commercial release of any work, so in your case its a costly business.
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Good advice!

It was this issue that saved mp3.com's ass during the my.mp3.com snafu! A lot of the labels sueing them did not have their works registered...and they could only collect from the time when they did.

dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com
 
Gosh - I'm going to say something in the defence of record companies / labels - that's a novelty.

Its not the labels / record companies' responsibility to ensure work has copyright (and / or clearance) prior to its release, its the artist's responsibility. Saying that - anyone involved in the release of anything should make sure / check, so the companies were plain stupid if they didn't.
 
David, my post was just a joke (notice the smiley). I am well aware that mailing things to yourself does not copywrite them.
 
Carter Simcoe said:
David, my post was just a joke (notice the smiley). I am well aware that mailing things to yourself does not copywrite them.
Click to expand...

Just making sure. A lot of people still believe it, so you never know.

dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com
 
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