In order to copyright lyrics to a song do I also need the music notes that go with it?

Question

I am not a musician but I do have lyrics to a song. In order to copyright it, will I need the notes as well?

Answer 1

If you file just the text/words, the US Copyright Office basically sees this as literary work, almost akin to poetry, which can be filed for a Literary Works registration.

If you have the composition/arrangement with it, you can file for a Performing Arts registration. If you have a physical sound recording, you can file for a Sound Recordings registration.

See the last 4 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"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."

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

(I am assuming you're within the United States.) Actually it is very convenient. You do not ought to move by way of any form of system for it - conveniently submit the lyrics come what may and write on the finish of them that they're copyright (your title) 2007. You do not have got to have the songs recorded or something. Simply publish the lyrics on a internet website online, magazine, or some thing like that, and on the finish observe that you've got copyright on them. In truth, your entire paintings is copyrighted beneath your title as quickly as you write it, robotically - but when you do not publish it someplace at a given date, it's going to be unattainable to end up that you simply wrote it first if any person else attempts to scouse borrow them. If you do not desire to position them on-line, there may be one other system for proving you got here up with some thing first (this works for patents as good): conveniently write all of it down, positioned it in an envelope and positioned your cope with because the sender and reciever. Stamp it, and mail it to your self, and don't open the envelope. When it is going by way of the postal approach, they positioned a date stamp on it - if any one ever attempts to scouse borrow your lyrics, you'll be able to end up that you simply wrote them first. Simply deliver the sealed envelope to the courtroom, permit them to look the date stamp, after which open it and exhibit them the contents. Nobody can be competent to dispute that you simply had written the ones lyrics through the date on that envelope. As for being a bigger songwriter, all I can say is train. If you ask any fashionable songwriter, such a lot of them will inform you that within the establishing they have been horrible at it. If they're sincere, they'll additionally inform you that some of the songs they write are nonetheless terrible - however for those who simply preserve writing, every now and then some thing exceptional will arise, and that is what you exhibit persons. :) Good success writing your songs!

Answer 3

not to copyright the lyrics only, only need that if you want to copyright the music as well

Answer 4

Doesn't look like it.