Hey, CR,
Yeah, that's it Form 'SR.'
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I just mailed one of those out the other day, myself.
I did a batch of 11 songs as a collection, for $45.
That makes 32 copyrighted songs. If I'd done them all individually, at $45 a pop - it'd cost me $1440.
In a collection, each and every individual song is copyrighted.
So - read up about 'collections'. . .
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Anyway, form SR is a 2 page form. Print 3 copies - one for the Library of Congress, one for yourself, and one to throw away after you screw it up!
The forms look for very specific language, when you fill them in.
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Find, print, and read, in this order:
Circular 56 (for form SR. SR = Sound Recording)
Circular 56a (for form SR)
Circular 50 (for form PA) - (you probably won't need this one, but read it first, though)
Circular 8 (Supplementary Copyright info)
And "Copyright Office Fees"
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I read all that stuff for the first batch I sent.
Now I know that all I have do is fill out the 2-page form SR, and the 2 page continuation sheet which allows me to list all the songs I'm copyrighting (for the same $45 fee.)
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After being reviewed, your form SR becomes a legal document.
So, if you do ANYTHING wrong - it comes back, and delays the copyright process for another 3 - 6 months.
So, be sure to do it right the first time.
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Read Circular 56a very carefully.
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The line you have to watch out for is under "2a: Nature of authorship"
Here's how I had to fill mine in:
My recordings were music, with no lyrics.
In my case, I wrote the songs, I performed the songs, and I was the one who recorded the songs.
The one and only way to fill in "2a: Nature of authorship," in my case, is: "Music and Sound Recording."
I left blank: 2b, 2c, 6, and 7. (no other authors)
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If you did the same as me (with the songs & recording & all), then you'll fill your forms the same way I did.
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If you are copyrighting more than one song (as a collection), print form "Con" When you fill it it, at the top, right of the form, enter "SR"
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Make 2 identical copies of your song(s); keep one, send the other.
Use Certified Mail - that proves you mailed it.
And when you present your package at the Post office, ask for a Return-Receipt for your certified mail. That means that someone at the Library of Congress has to sign for it when they get it. It proves they DID get it.
