|
Many musicians are under
the assumption that they must register their
copyright with the Library of Congress in order to
protect their creative works. Although this practice is
highly recommended, it's not absolutely necessary!
Registering your
copyright is just an added safeguard to protect your
"original works" from any "would-be song sharks."
Technically, as soon
as you write or record a song, it's automatically
protected by copyright! This means that once you create
an original work, you own the exclusive rights to it!
Your "original works"
must be written, recorded, or in some 'tangible'
(physical) form to be protected by copyright. This
simply means that you cannot have a copyright on a song
that hasn't yet been "physically" written down on paper
or recorded in some way.
The duration of a
copyright is seventy years after the death of the
author! Once the copyright is no longer protected by
law, the "original work" then becomes "public domain,"
meaning anyone can use this work without being penalized
in any way.
To get the proper
forms to copyright songs, contact the Copyright Office at:
Library of Congress
U.S. Copyright Office
101 Independence Ave. S.E.
Washington, DC 20559-6000
(202) 707-3000
You can also download
copyright forms and instructions to copyright songs at
the address below:
www.loc.gov/copyright
Trying
to land a record deal?...
Visit the Music
Business Secrets Revealed site for
helpful information.
Click Here!
Home
| Links |
Trade Links
| Contact Us |
Message Board
Copyright © 2000-2002 JMI Publications
All Rights Reserved.
JMI Publications - P.O. Box 2405
Bridgeview, IL 60455 |
