Copywriting Original Songs Online?

[humfree]

Seems like there should be some sort of time stamp database one could upload original music to for both the purpose of sharing and declaring ownership..

Last time I checked it was $45 per song or compilation through the feds.

Any help would be appreciated.. I could probably fit 15 songs on a CD and do a compilation, but individually its just too expensive for me right now.. 15 x $45 is Hamer money..

Thanks!

[LucSulla]

The only thing that will hold up in court as prima facia evidence is copyright filed through the feds.

Compilation is still the cheapest way to go to get something you won't have to fight about in court.

[geoff_hartwell]

Prima faccia? thatsa nice-a legal advice-a.

http://www.copyright.gov/forms/

Look into the PA and SR forms and decide what suits your needs best. Pay for ownership and peace of mind, or don't.

If you have a friend that is a lawyer, consult them after you consider your options, then consider again.

If you have jams that you want to share freely online, that's great - and you should be free to do that. Rock on.

If you want to retain ownership of something that you think is worthwhile, do that.

Best of Luck!

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

The only extra advantage of filing with the feds is recouping legal fees if you win your case. A lawyer knows he will get paid if you win and if you filed the forms with the feds. But otherwise the lawyer isn't sure he will get paid.

So the real advantage of filing with the feds is you will be able to get a lawyer. And that is everything. Without a lawyer you're not going to stand a chance of winning your case against a record label or artist with deep pockets.

There are lots of ways of proving you wrote and/or recorded the songs without filing it with the copyright office. One way which does NOT work is the old envelope mailed to yourself trick (you could have mailed an unsealed empty envelope and then sealed something in there later).

I register my daughter's compositions as a compilation sound recording. It covers the bases for a cheap price.

[humfree]

Thanks a bunch for the detail..

Seems like a website that could date stamp was in a dream I had once.. should be an easier way.

Thanks again!

[whiskeyzulu]

$35 for e-filing ($45 for paper filing).

http://www.copyright.gov/eco/

[Steve Haynie]

I know an artist who copyrights a year's worth of work at a time. It serves the purpose of getting that official government file that says you wanted official recognition of your copyright. If you are trying to pitch a song you can get an individual copyright for it if you think that is necessary.

[whiskeyzulu]

The only extra advantage of filing with the feds is recouping legal fees if you win your case. A lawyer knows he will get paid if you win and if you filed the forms with the feds. But otherwise the lawyer isn't sure he will get paid.

So the real advantage of filing with the feds is you will be able to get a lawyer. And that is everything. Without a lawyer you're not going to stand a chance of winning your case against a record label or artist with deep pockets.

There are lots of ways of proving you wrote and/or recorded the songs without filing it with the copyright office. One way which does NOT work is the old envelope mailed to yourself trick (you could have mailed an unsealed empty envelope and then sealed something in there later).

I register my daughter's compositions as a compilation sound recording. It covers the bases for a cheap price.

There are additional advantages, including statutory damages and the following:

• Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.

• Before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration is necessary for works of U. S. origin.

• If made before or within five years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate.

• If registration is made within three months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney’s fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner.

• Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies.

[robbie]

First, it is with all due respect that I post this. I know there are many artists and songwriters that are worried that someone will steal their music/lyrics/songs. Frankly unless you are writing and recording specifically to make money I don't quite understand this fear.<br /><br />If your music is a hobby, save your money. There are millions of songs on the internet. The likelihood that someone will find your song, use it against your will, make any money off of it, you find out about it and you have enough of a case to sue them, are probably lottery odds, at best.<br /><br />If your music is not a hobby, you probably want to get an agent and/or lawyer, even then you are probably going to know well in advance if you have any material that you want to protect.