General Music Chat

This is a followup on the copyrighting process question I posted back on May 27.
Here's the previous link, which brings you through the entire copyrighting process:
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http://forum.bandmix.com/viewtopic.php?t=390.
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If it doesn't work, go back about 25-50 posts, and look for the topic "Anybody know about coptrighting," posted by samick1. That's me.
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The post takes you from knowing nothing about it (that was me), to havings copyrighted songs. (Again, that's me, now).
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Here's the new, followup info:
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I sent the Library of Congress my 1st tape of 11 songs, by certified mail. It normally takes 2 days to get the receipt.
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However, (due to the a**h*** terrorist anthrax attacks via mail some time ago,) the library of Congress has stepped up security.
All mail to the Library of Congress (copyrights) first goes elsewhere for security screening.
Due to the volume of submissions (thousands per month), this is a lengthy process.
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I mailed my first tape on June 12. I got the Certified Mail receipt on June 27, about 2 weeks later, instead of 2 days,
They state that they consider my music copyrighted at the date that they NORMALLY would have received it, or about June 14.
Your certified mail receipt is an important receipt, indeed.
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Now, this batch of 11 songs is copyrighted - BUT - I don't have any copyright certificates, yet. I just have the receipt that says that theh got the tape.
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The backlog of paperwork is currently about FIVE MONTHS.
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Again, when you mail in your music for copyright, your copyright WILL be in effect shortly after you mail it, but you won't get the physical proof (copyright certificate) until months and months later.
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Oh, by the way - I'm half way through my SECOND tape - 6 songs, so far.
I have 5 more I want to add to it before I send it out - I'm doing this in batches of 11 songs each. I'm recording them as my schedule permits.
After this 2nd tape is done, I still have another album (11 more songs) waiting to be recorded.
And, they're not just your run - of - the - mill "D-C-G type" songs, either. I've been writing for years, now . . .

Right now I have enough original songs for 3-1/2 albums.
And, by going back through about 25-30 years of notes, I'm producing new songs as fast as I can learn to play them. This can take a while. Some of the songs are advanced, and take a while to learn. I also write Bass-lines for about 1/2 of them, too.
When the song is finished, I write it down, and record it, for reference.
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But, then I 'tweak' the entire song for a month or so.
If the song sounds ok, thats NOT good enough. 'OK' is NOT ok.
'Good enough' is NOT good enough.
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Anyway, as of 7-1-2006, it's $45/ per song, or $45 per collection of songs. See the other post for details.
If anybody has any questions, I might be able to help you . . .
Alan, in Madison, CT

i am so glad there is somebody out there who knows what's going on!!!! It took me forever to figure out how to copyright my songs, finally after about a year I have all 15 copywritten, but it is nice to know that for those less fortunate in copyright dealings, they have someone to help them out!!!!

Hey, Just De,
I just listened to your song "Free." Very pretty. Almost Celtic - sounding. I think Enya would like it.
Too bad you're in Florida & I'm in Connecticut . . .
Alan, aka Samick1

You know it's almost creepy (LOL), that when I first started writing that song....I had visions of standing on the cliffs of Ireland....and How DID you know that Enya is my hero????

Just De - go to General Chat for my reply. You'll see it.
Alan

This is a followup to some of my friends/associates, who may be interested.
Ok, I got the 1st 21 done.
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But once you get a lot of fairly new songs, the whole process can slow down.
I've got to practice the old songs, and I lose some practice time showning others how to play my songs.
I've got about 8 new songs, either ready or about ready, but I'm going to hold off.
I've been trying NOT to compose new stuff - when one materializes, I've been recording it for later . . .
2-3 more, & I'll be ready for my 3rd batch.
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I don't want to burn myself out.
Alan

I'll tell you who is a valuable resource on this subject - ASCAP. I've been a member now for about 6 years and it's well worth it. A dozen times I've called their offices for advice on everything from union contracts to copyright procedures.

Hi... Samick...... Just curious.... When you sent in your tape of songs to the copyright office, did you also send in a hard copy on paper? or just the tape. I've read that I should send in 2 copies... So should I get all my songs recorded on one tape (is cd ok?) and send in 2 copies of that, or just use paper and 2 of that, or what? That's the only thing I'm stuck at right now.

awaken205,
Congratulations on taking this important step.
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First choice: record onto a CD, especial if it's faster or easier. I used a tape because I didn't have the right software (at the time) to cut a CD.
But if putting it on CD will slow you down - use a tape, instead.
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My 3rd batch of songs will be on CD. I've got 10 songs, all ready to be recorded - now all I have to do is find the time.
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My songs were all instrumentals - no lyrics.
Some of these songs now do have lyrics, which will have to be copyrighted separately, as an update.
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If, in the future, you make minor changes in a song, there is no need to update your copyright, by the way.
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You can record all your songs on one CD, although I wouldn't put more than a dozen songs on one recording. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, in case the basket is dropped . . .
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One individual song, or one collection of songs - same price: $45.
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Before you fill in the line "Nature of Authorship" be SURE to read their website instructions on how to fill in this one line. if you use the wrong words, you will push back the copyright process by 1/2 year.
Do not guess.
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In my particular case: I wrote the songs, I performed the songs, and I engineered the recording.
The exact phrase to use in this case (on form SR), under "Nature of Authorship" is "Music and Sound Recording."
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Read forms 56 and 56a in their entirety before you fill in you application.
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Do it right the first time.
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Again, I had no lyrics.
Other than the actual application, I sent no other paperwork.
I recorded my songs on tape, introducing each song by name just before I recorded the actual song.
When I was finished, I made an exact, identical copy, & kept it for myself.
I sent just the one tape.
When you are sending in more than 1 song, you need to download and use the 'contiunuation sheet for application forms.'
This is the proper procedure, and allows you more room to write in the songs.
The forms you send in will be photocopied on special paper, validated by the Library on Congress, & these validated copies will be returned to you.
Your handwriting will appear on the actual copyright paperwork - so make it extra neat.
This will become a legal document, YOUR legal document, so don't write in the margins. If you make any crossouts - it's best to redo the entire form, although you can try just initallizing it . . .
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One last thing: be smart; pay a little extra when you mail it. Be sure you get a return receipt saying they got it. Send it Certified mail. It'll cost you about $5 - $6.
Consider this to be part of the copyright process.
As far as the Library of Congress is concerned, as soon as you get the return receipt, you can consider your works copyrighted.
The actual confirming paperwork will not arrive for 3 - 6 months later.
Good luck.

I'm bumping this topic to the front.
It appears there's a lot of people too interested in this topic to let it get buried.
This information is still current, except it's $45 now, instead of $30.

I just sent my 43rd song out for copyright.
If any of you people have been thinking of copyrighting your stuff; do it before you get any older.