Music Copyright Laws/Rules?

Question

Me and my band are finishing up our 5 song Demo Cd and we need to know what is the rule for copyrighting our music. Do we have to copyright each individual song or is there a way we can copyright our entire Demo Cd?

Answer 1

You are able to file for a Sound Recordings registration. Since the cost is so minimal ($45 per application), you & your band mates may want to consider doing each song.

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 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

What you can do is copyright all your songs as a collection of works. (This is how I've done it) I just provided the Library of Congress Copyright registrar with all the lyrics to the songs I wanted copyrighted at that time and they took the whole shebang. If you want to protect your demo as a recording, there is a Sound Recording copyright that is a little more expensive than copyrighting lyrics. The Library of Congress is very helpful in supplying the paperwork you'll need to get this done.

Answer 3

Many writers who cannot afford to hire a lawyer to copyright their work will make a copy of their writing, date it, seal it in an envelope and mail it to themselves. Once you receive it store it unopened in a safe place. You could do the same with a demo CD.