How to Get a Rap Name Copyrighted
You cannot copyright the name of a rap group, but you can copyright the lyrics of an original rap song and its name or title. The moment you create a work of your own making, such as a song, a poem, a painting, a rap, a short story or any original, creative work, a copyright exists.
Many people mistakenly believe you must file something to obtain copyright protection. That is not the case. However, registering your original work with the U.S. Copyright Office documents your authorship and can make it easier to defend or prosecute copyright violations in court.
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Instructions
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Obtain or create an electronic file of your rap song and its name or title; for example, by scanning in your handwritten lyrics and sheet music from a printer attached to your computer.
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Go to copyright.gov and click "Electronic Copyright Office" and register to create a new account.
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Log in to your new account and click on "Register a New Claim" to start a new registration. Select Rap Song under the pull-down menu for type of work you are registering, and click on "Continue."
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Click on "New" to add the title of your rap song, type it in and click on "Save" to continue.
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Determine whether your rap song and title have been published, or not. A work has been published when copies of it have been distributed to the public for sale, for example. A public performance or display does not alone amount to a publication, according to the U.S. Copyright Office. For unpublished works, enter the year of completion. For published works, enter the year of completion, date and nation of first publication. Click "Continue" to save and continue.
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Name the authors of the rap and check the appropriate boxes to describe the contribution of each individual to the whole. If you are the author, click "Add Me." For others, click "New" to add names of the authors or organizations. Click "Save" to continue.
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Identify the copyright claimant. The author is the original copyright claimant. The claimant may also be a person or organization to whom the copyright has been transferred. If you are the claimant, click on the "Add Me" button. For others, fill in their information after clicking on the "New" button. Click on "Continue."
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Identify preexisting material, if any. Preexisting material is other original works on which your work was based. If there are no preexisting materials, click "Continue."
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Finish the application. Fill in the contact information of those who will grant rights and permissions for the work; the correspondent, or contact person, if there are questions with the application; and the address for mailing of the certificate. Certify that you are the copyright author claimant or owner by clicking the check box on the left side of the "Certifying the Application" screen. Click "Continue."
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Pay the application fee by credit or debit card and click "Continue."
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Upload the digital file of your rap song. Click "Close window."
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Tips & Warnings
Knowingly including false statements on a copyright application may bring a penalty of up to $2,500.
