releasing my first CD - legal stuff...

[roostmusic]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been asked before (i even did a search and couldn't find anything) but i am about to release my first CD and sell copies from my website (via pay-pal) as well as handle all the fulfillment. Are there any legal "must-do's" before i do this? Should i bother with paying an attorney to help me out? I'm sure there are plenty of info online regarding this so if anyone could help me out by posting some links or passing along any knowledge...I'd really appreciate it. it'd also be good to know what I should avoid doing as well.

thanks! cory

 

[Layla Nahar]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been asked before (i even did a search and couldn't find anything) but i am about to release my first CD and sell copies from my website (via pay-pal) as well as handle all the fulfillment.
thanks! cory

I've heard some rumors of bad experience with pay pal ....

 

[roostmusic]

bad rumors? All I've heard are good things. they charge the least amount for credit card transactions and they seem like a good company. Can you tell me what you've heard...any one else have any bad experiences with pay pal?

 

[homeuser]

1) Make sure all of your loops, samples, are legal. Digitial watermarking has been the norm for the past few years and many lawyers are just now gearing up for this very profitable legal battle.

2) Copyright your work. I don't have the link, but this can be done in one shot by sending your CD somewhere, sorry I can't help you with a link!!

3) Get a permanent domain name and don't use a free site like Geocities, Yahoo, etc. for your email or website.

Good luck!

 

[roostmusic]

well all of my music is 100% origional. It is completely produced myself (even mastering) so there will be no need for any agreements I am also doing all of the artwork for the cd. I'll be selling cds from my website (no mp3.com BS) It sounds like all i need to do is copyright the music, put a unit number on the cd, and quit my day job as i rake in the profit (i wish).

 

[Layla Nahar]

bad rumors? All I've heard are good things. they charge the least amount for credit card transactions and they seem like a good company. Can you tell me what you've heard...any one else have any bad experiences with pay pal?

Wish I could remember where I saw this (and I think it was related to Ebay) but I think it has something to do with not getting product and not being able to get money back from paypal - something like that.

like I said, rumors - it was something on the web. Most likely the good reviews are the case. They've been in business a whilee, right? If they were being unethical they'd be out.

 

[roostmusic]

it will be my responsibility to fulfill any orders that people make...they will be just dumping money in my account and i'll mail it out to their address...so i dont think that will be a problem. thanks for the comments.

 

[DigitalDon]

Protect yourself (your music). Go to http://www.loc.gov/copyright/forms/ , download Form SR, fill it out, throw in a money order for $30 and mail it. There is no other way to guarantee it's protected. Forget that "mail it to yourself and don't open it" stuff. Follow the instructions. You can either copyright each song individually for $30 each (kinda expensive) or the whole CD for $30. Lots cheaper than a lawyer when someone steals your stuff. Oh yeah, on your artwork remember to put Copyright 2003 or whatever.