How to Copyright a Song
Under international law, copyright is the automatic right of the creator of the work, this means that copyright exist as soon as you have a tangible version of the music, such as sheet music and/or CDs. Registering the copyright of your work makes it easier to be compensated in court if your copyright is infringed.
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Steps
- Get the proper forms. The form needed for a sound recording to copyright is the Form SR and possibly Form CON. The form for Performing Arts, such as what people listen to on the radio, from Cd's, and live, is the Form PA or Short Form PA, and possibly Form CON. These copyright forms can be requested at (202) 707-3000, requested through mail at US Copyright Office Library of Congress Washington D.C. 20559, or found on the Internet at external links #1 and #2.
- Fill out the forms. Read the instructions carefully and fill it out exactly how explained.
- Send it to
- Library of Congress
- Copyright Office
- Independence Avenue, S.E.
- Washington, D.C. 20559-6000
- Include $45 and a non-returnable copy of the music.
- If your submission was filled out right, you will get a certificate of registration in the next 4-5 months.
Tips
- Copyright albums at a time rather than each song. It is a lot cheaper to pay $45 instead of $300 or more. The exception is if the publisher insists to copyright each song.
- Send your work to the Copyright Office by certified mail, and request a return receipt. This costs about $5.00. When you receive the return receipt, you'll know they have it and the process has started.
Warnings
- Make sure that your music is totally original. The rap hit Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice copied the bass line from Queen and David Bowie's song Under Pressure, and Vanilla Ice was sued.
- The above advice assumes that your are a US citizen. In 1989, the US became a party to the Berne Convention, meaning that if you are from outside the US, you are not required to register with the US Copyright Office before you can make a claim in a US court (more on US Copyright rules).
Things You'll Need
- Recording
- $45
- Internet Connection (I hope you have it if you are viewing this)
- PA, SR, or CON Forms
Sources and Citations
- Where to register copyright (includes non-US registration offices)
- US Copyright Office - Registering Sound Recordings
- US Copyright Office - Registering Performing Art
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