Copyright Questions

[carlyfrost]

I have been playing and writing music all of my life but have just now gotten serious about trying to make it an income. I like most musicians, I suppose, am definitely feeling the pinch from this economic spiral.

 

My question is how does a poor person go about copyrighting his/her music the cheapest and fastest way possible, so I can get some demo's out or put in online and hopefully generate some interest and eventually some much needed funds.

[Johnny-Boy]

Your music is automatically copyrighted after it is created. Either recorded and/or documented (CD, tape, video, or written down on manuscript).

 

However, if you want to register your work, the only safe bet is with the United States Copyright Office (Library of Congress) - http://www.copyright.gov/

 

Best, John:cool:

[Greg James]

is there any way to not have to pay $50 or however much the gov charges?

[flames.33]

you could mail it to yourself and not open it and keep it somewhere...best way to do it only like 5 bucks

[Johnny-Boy]

 

you could mail it to yourself and not open it and keep it somewhere...best way to do it only like 5 bucks

 

 

That's known as the "poor man's copyright". It won't hold water in court.

 

Here's a little info on the flaws of the poor man's copyright:

http://www.copyrightauthority.com/poor-mans-copyright/

 

To save money; send in multiple songs as a collection on one form.

 

Best, John:cool:

[missa]

Your music is automatically copyrighted after it is created. Either recorded and/or documented (CD, tape, video, or written down on manuscript).

 

I think Otis Redding and Joe Tex might disagree with you on that one

[slight-return]

Originally Posted by Johnny-Boy :

Your music is automatically copyrighted after it is created. Either recorded and/or documented (CD, tape, video, or written down on manuscript).

 

Originally Posted by Missa :

I think Otis Redding and Joe Tex might disagree with you on that one

 

yeah, they probably would disagree, but that's b/c their experiences were pre the '76 copyright act

[copyright at fixation was part of the '76 copyright act to bring USA into alignment with Berne convention provisions]

 

They'd disagree the same way King George II would disagree that the American Colonies were an independent country

[Johnny-Boy]

I think Otis Redding and Joe Tex might disagree with you on that one

 

"Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works" - Copyright Office

 

You're confusing "copyright" with "registration". Yeah, it's definitely a good idea to register your music with the Library of Congress.

 

Best, John:cool:

[slight-return]

 

You're confusing "copyright" with "registration".

 

 

I think Missa might have been confusing 1909 Act copyright law with 1976 Act copyright law as opposed to the differences between copyright and registration

 

both the examples were pre 1978 careers (enactment year for the 76 Act), they'd have been operating off 1909 Act based stuff which didn't have copyright at time of fixation

[Johnny-Boy]

You're probably correct Slight, but just in case I offered the other possibility.

 

Best, John:cool:

[slight-return]

cool - just wanted to bring it up so folks are aware of the context of caselaw they may be looking at (ie that some caselaw they might be seeing can be obsolete)