how do i copyright songs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter david henry
  • Start date Start date
Or, you could do the poor man's copyright.

Send the music to yourself by CERTIFIED MAIL.
 
It's always better to copyright, just in case you do get megaripped-off, I've heard that mail to yourself stuff is iffy in court(course that was from a lawyer who wanted me to pay him to get stuff copyrighted, f'n loser!).:D
 
Let me clear up my previous post on the poor-man's copyright.
I am not, at all, suggesting that you go that route (I don't use that route).

Copyright your material the proper way. ;)
 
Spinster - Out of curiosity, how long does it take you to get songs copyrighted? According to the US Copyright Office website, it takes something like two months to two years...or some crap like that.
 
You need to get the registration process started. In my past experiences it has not taken that long. :cool:
 
Yo Copy Cats:

Here is what I did when I wrote my first textbook. I took the published copy to an attorney and he filed the text with the proper form.

You can do this yourself and save some money; however, if you want to be sure, use an attorney the first time. It's worth the money, especially if you write good stuff. Well, even if your write like I do, it's worth it.

Green Hornet:D :D :p :p :p :p :p :p :cool: :cool: :cool:
 
Yo chartreuse stinging bug thingy ;)

How much did it cost to get that text copyrighted, if you don't mind me asking.
 
Another thing to think about

If you don't fill out the copyright form correctly, you lose the fee that you paid and have to start from scratch again. Most lawyer fees are small when doing something like this, and most likely will cost less in the long run. By the way, a poor man's copyright will not stand up in court against someone who took your material and actually went through the copyright process.
 
or you can just make a few phone calls to the copyright office to make sure you have filled it out right and put it together correctly.....
 
David, use the link Gidge provided and download form SR with instructions. Print out both sides and fill it out.
Gidge is right, the copyright is active from the day they receive it.

Oh and by the way...
remember that instead of sending one song per form (which can be expensive), you can put down several songs on a single recording and give the recording a title.
That will copyright the complete contents of the tape without you having to shell $30 per song.

$30!.. SHEESH!
The first song I copywrote was back in in 1982.
The price?
$10.

Seems that everthing is going up except our salaries.

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ANGEL'S ADVOCATE

(1) ALL THOSE TECHNICAL TERMS CONFUSE ME. LIKE WORK FOR HIRE AND ALL THAT?
WHAT IF I GET THE FORM WRONG.

(2) IF I'M SENDING A SR FORM, AND WANT TO COPYRIGHT MUSIC AND WORDS, DO I HAVE TO TYPE THEM OUT ALSO?

OKAY THAT'S IT
WAIT ONE LAST QUESTION!!

HOW WOULD I GO ABOUT UPLOADING A SAMPLE FORM. TO BE USED AS A CHEAT SHEET SO TO SPEAK

OR COULD SOMEONE WITH THE KNOW HOW UPLOAD A SAMPLE FORM???:confused: :confused:
 
Re: ANGEL'S ADVOCATE

JUSTTIGHT said:
(1) ALL THOSE TECHNICAL TERMS CONFUSE ME. LIKE WORK FOR HIRE AND ALL THAT?
WHAT IF I GET THE FORM WRONG.
Click to expand...

1. A "Work made for hire" is for example....
If you are a songwriter working for any production/publishing company. That would be a "Work for hire"


2. You do not have to type in the words and music. Once you send a recording, everything in the tape/CD is registerd.

3. Instuctions for page 1. http://www.eyeslikefire.com/page1.jpg
Instructions for page 2. http://www.eyeslikefire.com/page2.jpg

Hope this helps.

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-oOO--(_)---OOo--
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