How to Get a Music Copyright
With so many free digital music programs and resources available today anybody can be a music producer. If you are make sure to protect your creations by getting a copyright for your music. Registering your copyright with the US Copyright Office allows you to defend yourself against infringement.
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Things You'll Need
- $35-$45 registration fee
- Internet Access
- A digital or hard copy of your work
Instructions
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Understand the Difference Between Copyright and Registered Copyright
According to copyright law, you own the copyright to your original music as soon as you create it. You are not actually required to register a copyright, but your legal right to sue for infringement is limited unless you do. If you are not concerned with that, there are alternative methods to copyright your work for free (see resources section below). These steps will help you to register your music with the US Copyright Office for a fee.
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Register Your Music Copyright Online
The US Copyright Office offers a few different methods, the easiest and cheapest of which is the online registration method. To do this, you need to go to eCO and create an account. Once you log in with your new account, you are required to fill out the online application. At the end of the registration process, you are required to pay a $35 fee. After payment is processed, you are required to upload your piece of music. You may also choose to mail a copy of your work instead of uploading it, but that may cause a processing delay. The online registration method is the fastest and cheapest of the methods provided by the US Copyright Office. To access eCO go to copyright.gov and click on "Electric Copyright Office". -
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Register Your Music Copyright with Fill-In Form CO
If for some reason, you cannot register online, you can use Form CO to get a copyright for your music. Form CO replaces the older SR (sound recording) form and uses bar code technology for faster processing. To get a music copyright with this method, you download and fill out the form (see resources) and mail it with a check for $45 and a hard copy of your piece of music. -
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Register Your Music Copyright with Paper Form SR
The Sound Recording form is the older method for getting a music copyright and is being phased out, but is still accepted. Form SR is not available for immediate download, but must be requested from the copyright office. Once you have this form you must complete it and mail it back with a $45 check and a hard copy of your piece of music.
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Tips & Warnings
You can register one song or an entire album using one application and fee under certain conditions stated in the Copyright Office regulations
Address to mail your application, fee and deposit: Library of Congress Copyright Office 101 Independence Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20559-6237 b
Resources
- Photo Credit diygrrrl
