How do I Copyright my songs?

Question

I have lots of songs but dont want them stolen, Im thinking about just recording my voice speaking the songs? Unsure how to copyright them, please help, Thanks!

Answer 1

Creative works are automatically copyrighted once they are put in a tangible form. But you can also file for a certified registration from the copyright.gov/ website. Different procedures are established between musical creations and written stories. Read the directions, fill out the appropriate form, write a check for $35 to the Library of Congress, and then mail it. You can send one song or a hundred if so listed on the application and continuation sheets--all for the same price.

Approximately eight months later you will receive your certificate of registration.

Read carefully the directions.

Answer 2

Contact ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers - in NYC) or BMI. You can do this without a lawyer. You will need a decent lead sheet - all music must have a printed copy. Most people use a notation program like Sibelius or Finale now - so much easier than script.

Answer 3

Go to the library and get books on how to publish music, they have tons of them, and then see if you can find books on ASCAP, I've had these books so I know that they have them, they may even have them on line, just go on google and type in ASCAP, and I bet tons of sites will come up that you can find out everything that you want to know, good luck, bye.

Answer 4

1st thing I do is put the original in the mail, send it to myself thereby establishing proof of date. Don't open it or your nullifying the purpose. Maybe even notarizing it, a witness of you sealing it. Have them mail it to you as well.
Until you can register it as copywritten this should suffice proof of ownership. This is what I've done and it worked for me. Peace-out.

Answer 5

You'll probably have to go through alot of stuff, and it's very complicated.

Answer 6

http://www.songwritersresourcenetwork.com/copyrights.html
I hope this helps.