If someone helps a singer write a song, what rights do they have to the music?

Question

The case involves a musician (guitarist) that helps a singer/lyricist by creating the chord progression/music to accompany the lyrics.

No contract was made... it was a friendly contribution on behalf of the musician.. but now the singer has taken the music for that song and two others that were also created and claimed sole copyright rights on all three.

Answer 1

How much did you create when you say "music"? Did you create the melody? You can't copyright a chord progression but you can copyright a melody. If it's an actual sound recording that can be copyrighted too. If you just figured out the chord progression to their melody there's nothing you can copyright, although you do deserve compensation for your work.

Secondly are you absolutely sure that they have registered copyright? Simply CLAIMING copyright is not the same as REGISTERING copyright. You can check the U.S. Copyright office and see if they actually have registered and paid.

http://www.copyright.gov/

If they haven't, you could still register your part of the work. That is the only absolute way to get legal protection, and it's cheap - $45 per song or collection. If you think that's expensive, try to get a lawyer to mount a legal case.

You'll need to decide what it's worth to you, if they're not making any money it might not be worth it to sue. Of course that works both ways, they might not have the resources to sue you if you start using the song. It's often about who has the better lawyer, or moves first.

Answer 2

"When two or more authors prepare a work with the intent to combine their contributions into inseparable or interdependent parts, the work is considered joint work and the authors are considered joint copyright owners."

" The U.S. Copyright Office considers joint copyright owners to have an equal right to register and enforce the copyright. Unless the joint owners make a written agreement to the contrary, each copyright owner has the right to commercially exploit the copyright, provided that the other copyright owners get an equal share of the proceeds."

Answer 3

I say do not difference some thing. If you write deep, significant lyrics, maintain them that manner on the grounds that there are not any in which close sufficient musicians who do in modern-day song. The lyrics do not ought to are compatible with just one bar of song. Personally, I like bands/musicians who make the lyrics are compatible irregularly, the song turns into extra intriguing then. :)

Answer 4

I have help to write songs and music. You need to have a contract and have it look at by your attorney. In the contract you can specify what you will get, and how much the other person/people will get. Be sure you have your attorney look at it to be sure you don't get taken advantage of, and of course that's it's legal.

Answer 5

The singer and the songwriter should make up a contract as to how much the songwriter will be paid either in royalties or a lump sum.And he/she should have credit on any album as the songwriter.

Answer 6

I'm not completely positive but I think he can listen to it.