Most musicians think every song written needs to be immediately copywritten, but this isn't always true! Copyrighting registers your music so that if a situation arises that someone is stealing your music, your registration of copyright is on file, which protects you. Scroll down to read an insightful article on copyright by Nancy Falkow |
|
|
Every Month You Will Receive Our Free Newsletter With 50 New Listings of Music Services Looking to Sell Your Music, Give Your Songs Radio Airplay, Review Your CD, Upload Your Song Files etc.
|
If You Don't Have a Copy of the Indie Bible, You Are Selling Music to a Fraction of the Audience You Could Be! |
© Copyright, 2012. Reprinted with permission. Most musicians think every song written needs to be immediately copywritten, but this isn't always true! Copyrighting, registers your music so that if a situation arises that someone is stealing your music, your registration of copyright is on file, which protects you. So, if you're singing these songs in your living room for your family, you don't need to run to Washington, DC! What can be copy written? Literary works; musical works, including any accompanying words, dramatic works, including any accompanying music, pantomimes and choreographic works, pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works, motion pictures and other audiovisual works, sound recordings and architectural works. Library of Congress. If you plan on distributing your music through the web you should copyright your songs. Go to the US Copyright Registration site and download the forms you need. Each situation is different, read all of the information, and figure out which best applies to you. Put your music and lyrics on tape or cd, fill out the appropriate forms and write the check. It takes up to 6 weeks to receive all the paperwork and registrations. Internet: http://www.loc.gov/copyright Phone: 202/707-3000 (this is NOT a toll-free number) Write: U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E, Washington DC 20559-6000 The forms: What you need is a properly completed application form, a nonrefundable filing fee ($30) For each application, and a non returnable deposit of the work being registered (A tape, CD, and/or lyric). You can copyright more than one song on one tape or cd by sending it in as an anthology. In short, you put your songs on one format, give it a name like "Greatest Hits" and send it in. This is the best way to save money. Instead of copyrighting each song for $30, you're copyrighting an entire batch for $30. Remember it's always important to protect yourself and your songs. Good luck! Nancy Falkow is known throughout the Philadelphia area for writing catchy and melodic pop-folk songs with dynamics and soul. She still finds time to play bass and sing background vocals in an all girl rock band called The Dirty Triplets. Contact: www.nancyfalkow.com |
HOME | About | How The Indie Bible Can Help You | The E-Book | What are Updates? | The Articles |
Testimonials | Submit Your Music Service for Inclusion | Become an Affiliate! | Banners | Our Venue Directory |