If I make a cd with my own beats and lyrics, do i have to copyright it to sale it legally?

Answer 1

You have full control of your own music and automatically own the copyright. There is no requirement that you register your copyright, though for legal reasons it may be beneficial in the event of a dispute.
For registration info:
http://www.copyright.gov/register/

Additionally you may consider releasing it under a license like ASCAP, BMI, etc. This would be to ensure you get get paid for commercial use of your music. However, it's likely that you won't see anything from the major licensing companies due to the way they operate.
For more info see:
http://www.stiffffkitties.com/home.htm
http://www.woodpecker.com/writing/essays/royalty-politics.html

For licensing I would only consider a Creative Commons license and make sure I get paid for any commercial usage myself, but that's me.
http://creativecommons.org/about/licenses/
http://wiki.creativecommons.org/FAQ
A related discussion: http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/cc-community/2007-January/001488.html

You may also be interested in http://ccmixter.org/

Answer 2

If you compose the music and lyrics, it becomes copyrighted as soon as you record it.

You can register that copyright (however your country does that) to gain additional protections.

But under most country's laws the act of creating and recording the music is sufficient by itself to vest the copyright.

And you own that copyright, unless you are under some agreement that assigns the copyright to someone else ("work for hire").

Answer 3

Copyright is just that - a license to copy. Copyright everything you do and if you plan to sell it you better register it with the copyright office.

Answer 4

You should have it licensed through ASCAP . Look them up online. I looked them up a few years ago when my son was writing songs, and it only cost $10.00 at that time to join. It probably doesn't cost that much more now. They license music to radio stations, etc. and see that the composers get paid by record companies, and others who use the music.

It is worth checking out.

Good luck.

Answer 5

You don't have to copyright it but it may be stolen. With my songs and ideas i use the poor mans copyright for now. just to be covered.

Answer 6

No. A copy right only protects it from being stolen. If you do not want to risk the chance f getting the music stolen get a copy right on it. Otherwise do not worry about it.

Answer 7

No. But then everyone else could make money off it also.

Answer 8

that's a policy rule when your signed with a record label

Answer 9

always license ur work because ppl can steal or they can sue u!

Answer 10

nope but it may be stolen legally