My 14 year old son is beginning to write music and will soon be attempting to produce an album for himself. How do we copyright it? Where do we get the forms? Can we do it ourself or should we get a lawyer? It's too early to worry about agents, etc. , he's just dabbling right now.
2006-07-03 15:24:37 · 4 answers · asked by M B 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
mail a copy of the song to yourself and keep it unopened. the date on the envelope will stand as a legal government issued date - heard this from many who did not want to go to the trouble and expense of copyrighting.
2006-07-03 15:33:54 · answer #1 · answered by barbie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Poor man's copyright" will NOT hold up in court. See what the Copyright Office has to say:
"I’ve heard about a “poor man’s copyright.” What is it?
The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."
You can file at the US Copyright Office – see the last
3 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-07-04 07:44:06 · answer #2 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't waste money on a lawyer. It's cheap and very easy to do yourself. Get started here.....http://www.copyright.gov/register/sound.html
2006-07-03 22:37:17 · answer #3 · answered by Mykol 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the "poor mans" copyrite as mentioned by Barbie. It will hold up in court if need be. Also try: http://www.copyright.gov/
2006-07-03 22:46:01 · answer #4 · answered by Adrian B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋