September 16, 2023
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25 Steps How to Copyright Your Songs in 2023: The Ultimate Protection Guide for Your Tunes

So, you’ve got some fresh tracks that you’re mighty proud of, and rightfully so. But before you go sharing them with the world, let’s talk about a little thing called copyright. It’s your music’s suit of armor, protecting it from being used, abused, or claimed by someone else. Let’s walk through the easy steps to copyright your precious melodies.


Your Streaming Guide

It’s the nitty-gritty legal stuff, sure, but it’s essential. Copyright is a form of protection given to the creators of “original works of authorship,” including musical compositions. Once you copyright your song, you have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, or license your work, and others cannot do these things without your permission.

Fact: Copyright actually exists from the moment you create your song, but registering it legally helps in protecting your rights.

2. Keep Records of Your Creative Process

Documenting your creative process can be crucial. Whether it’s rough drafts, recordings, or lyric sheets, keep everything. This can serve as evidence of your original work in the development phase.

Fact: Keeping early drafts with timestamps can act as a form of “poor man’s copyright.”

3. Complete Your Song

Make sure your song is finished and polished to your satisfaction. While you can copyright an unfinished work, it’s generally better to have the final version to avoid complications later on.

Fact: You can update your copyright registration later with a new version, but it may involve additional fees.

You’ve got options here. You can copyright the song as a musical composition (the lyrics, melody, chords, etc.) or as a sound recording (the specific recording of a performance of the song). You can also opt to do both.

Fact: Many artists opt to copyright both the musical composition and the sound recording to ensure full protection.

For those in the U.S, head to the U.S. Copyright Office’s website to get started. You’ll be using the Electronic Copyright Office (eCO) system for the most efficient and economical way to register your works.

Fact: The U.S. Copyright Office is the official government body for copyright registrations, providing a public record of your copyright claim.

6. Fill Out the Necessary Forms

Depending on what you’re copyrighting (sound recording or musical composition), you’ll need to fill out the appropriate forms. The forms are pretty self-explanatory, but take your time to ensure all information is accurate.

Fact: The Copyright Office website provides comprehensive guides on how to fill out each form to assist you through the process.

7. Pay the Fee

Ah, yes, the unavoidable fees. The cost will vary depending on a few factors, including the way you file and the type of work you’re registering. Be prepared to shell out a bit, but remember, it’s for the protection of your hard work.

Fact: As of 2023, registering a single work online by a single author with a claim in one work (not made for hire) will cost you $45.

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8. Submit Your Work

Upload a copy of your song through the eCO system. This can be an MP3, WAV, or another type of audio file for sound recordings, and may include a PDF or other document type for notated compositions.

Fact: The submitted copy of your work will be stored as a public record, but will not be available for public access online. Rest easy!

9. Play the Waiting Game

Once everything’s submitted, you play the waiting game. It can take up to several months for your copyright to be processed, so patience is key.

Fact: You can start protecting your work right after you’ve submitted it, even before approval – just keep a record of your submission.

10. Receive Your Certificate

When your registration is approved, you will receive a certificate of registration through mail. Keep this in a safe place as it is your official proof of copyright.

Fact: This certificate is a legal document and can be used in court as evidence of your copyright.

11. Know Your Rights

Once the copyright is all settled, familiarize yourself with the rights you now hold over your creation. Know what people can and can’t do with your music without your permission.

Fact: Holding a copyright gives you the sole authority to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display your work publicly.

12. Enforce Your Rights

Now that you’re the proud owner of a copyrighted song, don’t be shy in enforcing your rights. If you come across unauthorized use of your music, take the necessary steps to stop the infringement.

Fact: If necessary, copyright owners can file a lawsuit against infringers in federal court.

13. Renew and Update When Necessary

Over time, your song might evolve or you might create different versions. While the core copyright remains, it’s wise to update your registration if there are significant changes to ensure you’re fully covered.

Fact: Although your copyright lasts for a long time (the life of the author plus 70 years in most cases), significant derivations or updates might warrant a fresh registration.

Music has no borders, and your song could become a hit anywhere in the world. Different countries have their own copyright laws, so if you’re targeting international markets, look into international copyright treaties and conventions.

Fact: The Berne Convention is an international agreement governing copyright, and more than 170 countries are part of it. This means they honor copyrights from other member countries.

If you co-write a song, ensure that all contributors are recognized when you register the copyright. Clear out percentages, rights, and other crucial details beforehand to avoid disputes later.

Fact: Disputes over rights can get messy. For example, the “Blurred Lines” case, involving Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke vs. the Marvin Gaye estate, ended up costing millions in legal fees and damages.

16. Digital Rights Management (DRM)

In the age of streaming, protecting digital copies of your music is crucial. DRM tools help prevent unauthorized redistribution of your digital music files.

Fact: Platforms like Apple’s iTunes and Spotify use DRM to ensure that the music you download or stream isn’t easily shared or redistributed.

17. Understand ‘Fair Use’

While you have rights over your music, there’s a concept called ‘fair use’ that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission. It applies in situations like reviews, parodies, or educational use.

Fact: The famous case between 2 Live Crew and Roy Orbison’s publisher over the song “Oh, Pretty Woman” set a precedent for parodies being considered fair use.

18. Join a PRO (Performing Rights Organization)

Organizations like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC monitor and collect royalties for artists when their music is played on the radio, TV, clubs, and other public venues.

Fact: PROs have vast networks and tools to track where and when music gets played, ensuring artists get paid for their work.

19. Monitor and Track Your Music

Regularly check platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, and other music-sharing sites. There are also specialized tools and services that can monitor the internet for unauthorized uses of your work.

Fact: Companies like Audiam and AdRev help artists locate unauthorized uses of their music online and can even help in monetizing those uses.

20. Use Watermarking and Digital Fingerprints

Adding a digital watermark or fingerprint to your music can help track it. These are unique identifiers embedded into the audio which can help in tracking unauthorized uses.

Fact: YouTube’s Content ID system uses digital fingerprinting to identify copyrighted material.

21. Collaborate with a Music Attorney

For a clearer understanding and to ensure you’re fully protected, consider working with a specialized music attorney. They can guide you through the legal maze and help in enforcing your rights.

Fact: Many successful artists and bands have legal teams to handle copyright issues, ensuring they focus solely on their music.

22. Be Prepared to Act

If you discover someone infringing on your copyright, be ready to take action. This might involve sending a cease-and-desist letter or even pursuing legal action in serious cases.

Fact: Cease-and-desist letters are often the first step in alerting an infringer of their violation and requesting them to stop.

23. Know the Value of Your Music

In legal battles, understanding the financial value of your music is essential. If someone’s using your song for profit, knowing its worth can help in claiming damages.

Fact: In some high-profile cases, artists have been awarded significant sums based on the calculated value of their infringed music.

Laws and regulations evolve. Stay informed about changes in copyright law, especially if you’re distributing your music internationally.

Fact: The Music Modernization Act, passed in the U.S. in 2018, was one of the most significant updates to copyright law in decades, affecting how artists are compensated for their work.

25. Backup Everything

Always keep backups of your original recordings, copyright certificates, and any related documents. This ensures you have all necessary evidence if your rights are challenged.

Fact: Losing original recordings can be devastating. Just ask Universal Music Group, which lost a treasure trove of master recordings in a 2008 fire.

And there we have it! It might seem like a bit of a hassle, but securing the legal rights to your artistic creations is essential.

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring your music remains under your control and that your artistic rights are protected. Music is more than just notes and lyrics; it’s a piece of you, so give it the protection it deserves.

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