General Music Chat

Anybody got any input on copyrighting songs?
Never really thought about it, but I just now realized that I've been afraid of other people taking my songs. And it's held me back.
My songs are many styles - R & B, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Rock . . .
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Some years back, I heard it was $30 to copyright each song.
But - Ive got enough originals for a CD. That's not counting the simple stuff that I've done, which I don't really care about.
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I'm poor. No way I can afford it, at $30 a pop, especially without any record company behind me.
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Bur I can create some hot music.
Is this a 'Rich Man's Game?"
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I'm not in a band. But I've been playing guitar for about 25 years.
If my songs were copyrighted, I would be in a band.
I've turned down offers, for years, now, because I don't want my stuff stolen.
Stupid? Vain? I don't know . . .
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These aren't your usual 'G-C-D' songs. Not every guitarist can play them.
It seems that over half the songs you hear nowadays are some combination of G - C - and D. Some of that stuff IS really, really good. But you could write 5 - 10 of those a day. I'm into writing stuff that is a little more complex.
My songs contain a lot of chords, some difficult, but the songs are very 'listenable.'
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It's the chords of the song that I'm mostly interested in copyrighting - that is, - the Rhythm guitar.
I know that once they get exposure, there will be rip-offs within a month.
I play upbeat "good-time" music, with a Jazzy R & B sound.
I can write words, but that robs time from creating the music.
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And ideas out there?

The poor man's copyright is to put your material in an envelope,mail it to yourself,and put it away(DO NOT OPEN IT).Should you ever hear your songs or lyrics being played,once in court,take your envelope.This will have official post dated from the post office the date when you had your stuff filed.I think it still still holds up in court.Ever hear of it Belle?

Samick1 - howdy! I used to work as a paralegal for a Copyright Attorney. You don't have to copyright your songs one at a time. You can copyright them all together, as a collection of work. There are several ways you can go:

lyrics only
lyrics and sheet music
CD

Read up on the forms and it will tell you which one to use, once you've decided how you want to go. The form is short and sweet. Google 'US copyright office' and it will take you to the link, where you can download the form and info that you want.

Good luck - and smart thinking!!

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Hey, Thanks for the word about 'a collection of work.' I was unaware about that, & I will check into it. Much appreciated.

The poor man's copyright is to put your material in an envelope,mail it to yourself,and put it away(DO NOT OPEN IT).Should you ever hear your songs or lyrics being played,once in court,take your envelope.This will have official post dated from the post office the date when you had your stuff filed.I think it still still holds up in court.Ever hear of it Belle?

Thanks, Exit 20. I have heard of this method, and have even used it a few years back for a booklet I wrote.

But, it was my understanding that nowadays, in court, I would have maybe a 50-50 chance.
It was my understanding that if I had to go up against somone in court with only a CD or a tape that I mailed to myself, I could easily lose.
I don't know.
Thanks for the input.

Belle,
I went to the copyright site. It took a while, but I did find what I was looking for.
I've now got a 2 page application to go over, and 7 pages of instructions.
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To other musicians -
Here's the address:
http://www.copyright.gov/
Go to "How to register a work," and click on 'sound recordings.'
Lots to read here . . .
If you want to copyright a recording of your music, you probably want "Form SR." (The SR stands for sound recording.)
Some of you may want to use form PA (Performing Arts.)
You need to send that along with the payment of $30, and a recording (tape or CD). It goes to the Library of Congress . . .
You can't print straight from the govt. page, by the way - it'll cut off the right margin.
You need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free download, if you don't already have it.
If you have an old version of Adobe, you'll need to download the new version ' 7.0.8.
I had to update mine - took over an hour . . .
I'm going to copyright my first 10 songs as a collection.
It can take a while to get an answer.
When the 1st 10 songs are copyrighted, I'll send in the next batch.
If this helped anybody, let me Know.
Alan / a.k.a Samick1

Belle, Yeah as of this moment (6-1-06 4:54PM) - 73 hits.
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Anybody got any last-minute advice before I finish my recording & mail it?

I can truly understand and know personally what you are saying and the doubt you have concerning the issue. However being in almost the same position (financially), I made the decision to go ahead and spend the $30.00 to copyright one song at a time in the event that I do get picked up by a major company or a well known artist decides to use my music and lyrics. I even registered my song titles with BMI as a safegard. By the way; I've been into singing,writing and performing personally since I was 14. I just decided recently to stop letting my talent go to waste. Even at my age (56) there is still hope for recognition in the industry. The best advice I can give to you is to (for the lack of a better expression) get off your ass and start moving toward your goal as a recording artist. You're never too old to bring your life's experience to the world through your music. If you feel that you need to talk about it; give me a call at 281-879-5790. Just ask for Richard. If not a call; email me: remoten@sbcglobal.net. In the meantime have a "blessed day".

Hey, epupres.
I didn't just talk about it. I did it.
I've 11 songs recorded on cassette as a collection.
Counting the first 11 songs, which are done, I have aa total of about 30 songs total. And quite a few more in the works . . .
At $30 dollars each, that's $900.
Anyway I did 11 songs as a "collection."
A collection still registers each individual song.
I did form SR & form SR/Con.
The songs will be registered as a collection. Each song is still individually listed, but you can do more than one song at a time.
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I suggest to anybody who is interested: Read
Circular 8
Circular 50 (form PA)
Circular 56 (form SR)
Circular 56A (form SR)
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Be SURE to read Circular 56 before filling in the application!
There's some specific terminology that you MUST use for the application to go through.
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Anyway - thanks for the offer of talking, my friend, but I don't really need to talk about it. I researched it, and did it.
I'm more into DOing it, than talking about it.
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Oh - by the way. As of July 1, 2006, copyright prices go up from $30 to $45.
(Hear that, Belle? I know you're listening.)
Thank's, everyone, for your input.
But - I'm not closing the topic - I'm still listening.
I've only go one mouth - but I've got two ears . . .

How are you doing, Belle?
Hey, I was wondering do you still make any music?
Alan