The Musician?s Guide On How To Copyright Music
Music is copyrighted as soon as you present it in a fixed form. It doesn't matter whether that fixed form is written sheet music or a recording. Most people who copyright music do so for the extra legal protection. Even though a copyright is good to have, it is essentially worthless unless you've registered your copyright with the Library of Congress. You will need to fill out an application, pay a fee, and provide a copy of your music. As far as government dealings go, this is one of the least painful. Even the application fee is marginal when you consider the fact you are protecting potential future profits and royalties from your music.
Even if you aren't a talented performer, it doesn't mean your music will never be seen or heard, nor does it mean you should not bother copyrighting your music. One day you might find yourself more in demand for your talents than you ever dreamed possible. It is important to protect your music now more than ever before in history due to widespread music piracy and illegal music file-sharing.
Once you understand how to copyright music, you should copyright every sheet of music which you have produced. This involves registering each and every piece of music with the Library of Congress. Even if you must copyright one piece at a time until you manage to copyright all of them, it is much better to be safe than sorry should you ever go to trial in a copyright infringement case.
Copyright Music, Consecutive Notes, and Fair Use
Copyright music, consecutive notes, and lyrics are all covered under the blanket of copyright protection. Once you've registered your copyright you have legal recourse should someone steal or ?borrow? any part of your music without permission. Many websites which publish lyrics to your favorite song are actually infringing on the copyright of the author and the recording artist. It is not legal to use any part of the song that isn't covered by Fair Use without the express permission of the holder of the copyright. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between Fair Use and copyright infringement. Copyrighted music pays musicians royalties, while Fair Use will not take those future payments from the authors for the sake of personal entertainment.
Fair Use was once thought to mean that if you weren't making money from the copy or use of materials then it was allowable. This is one of the arguments that was used when defending massive file sharing servers; the defense, however, falls flat of the law. It is illegal to share copyright music, consecutive notes, lyrics, tabs, chords, or any other part of the music. The only case in which copying of music is clearly allowable is when used for non-profit education and educational research, for the purpose of criticism, commentary, and news reporting. According to copyright law, ripping your CDs is an infringement of copyright.
The result of massive file sharing has prompted new laws to address the problem and provide a clearer definition of what is not allowable. According to recent amendments, you must have the express permission of the performer to fix the sounds or images into any type of phonorecord, to transmit these sounds to others, or to offer to distribute, sell, or rent any of the copyrighted material. That about sums up file sharing in a nutshell and clearly establishes the practice as illegal.
Many musicians and artists copyright music, lyrics, and performances to protect those things from abuse, misuse, and to protect their interests. While some may be artists who perform for the sake of the art, most of them are not independently wealthy and need the income that results from the sales of their music. Many have families to feed as well as fabulous lifestyles. Regardless of their inherent needs for the funds, they've provided a service (entertainment) that we place a certain value on and they deserve to get paid for the services they provide.
Brian Scott is a freelance journalist who covers copyright law for http://www.ResearchCopyright.com. Download his free e-book, "Copyright Basics" at http://ResearchCopyright.com.
Related Articles:
Is BMG Music Service a Scam or a Deal?
You've probably seen their ads that say "12 CDs for the Price of 1" and you've probably wondered "What's the catch?" -- and what about Columbia House Music Club -- didn’t they have a similar deal?
Wedding Music
What should you "walk down the aisle" to? Should you stick with the traditional Wedding March or should you shock your grannie with "Bat out of Hell"?Well maybe Bat out of Hell is totally inappropriate but do you have to stick with tradition? I would say not if you dont want to. There are so many wonderfully romantic and very suitable songs available today.
Healing Instrument Design and Revolutionary Treatment Methodology Based on Pythagorean Principles is basis for New Music CD called Golden Ratios; new
New Leaf Distributing will feature the former chiropractor's new healing CD Golden Ratios in their exhibition booth (#541) at the International New Age Trade Show®-West (INATS® West) June 28 - 30th; CD release date set for June 24, 2008.
Bruce Hornsby Returns to University of Miami to Launch Innovative Program in American Music
What does it take to be a great American songwriter and performer? Multiple Grammy Award winner Bruce Hornsby knows, and he is going back to his roots, returning to his alma mater, the University of Miami, to officially launch a program designed to develop the creative skills of talented young songwriters.
Ezmo Announces First Free Mobile Player for Music Enthusiasts: Allows Access to Entire Music Collections from Mobile Phones with
Ezmo, the online music player, today announced a new mobile capability that allows its community members to listen to their entire music collection from their mobile phone. The Ezmo mobile player is developed using new and innovative mobile Flash technology - Flash Lite 3. This technology is currently available on a limited number of phones, like the Nokia N95, but will be widely available on phones released throughout 2008. Ezmo's free online music player and social networking service provides the ability for any consumer to easily upload their entire music library to the web. While Nokia users are first to enjoy the capability to listen to their collections on their cell phones, all Ezmo users can invite and share their music libraries wi...
MarchingTVChannel.com to Broadcast Streaming Video of Youth in Music Final Live from the Metrodome in Minneapolis
Live Coverage Begins October 27th at 11:00 am as 20 Bands from Six States Compete in Rapidly Expanding Marching Event. Free Broadcast.
World's Largest DRM-free P2P Music Store Launches Bitmunk 2.0
Bitmunk's larger music selection and new Web 2.0 technology gives artists, distributors and fans many new opportunities to collaborate and cash out. Digital Bazaar, innovators in the field of digital file distribution technology, announced today that they have launched version 2.0 of their groundbreaking secure transaction network. The service, called Bitmunk, employs a legal peer-to-peer based distribution mechanism which ensures that artists, distributors and fans get paid for trading music over the network. The service allows anybody with an Internet connection to use the Bitmunk software to re-sell music they have in their collection. Every customer's computer functions as an online retail music store allowing a customer to re...
Sonic Control Launches Investors Guide to Understanding Music Technology & Music Technology Stocks
Petersburg, VA (PRWEB) March 13, 2007 -- When Apple buys privately held Emagic, or Avid buys Sibelius, or when Creative Technology brings out its Fatal1ty audio card, is that important to investors? And how can you tell? To answer these questions, Sonic Control has launched a new series called The Investor's Guide to Understanding Music Technology and Music Technology Stocks that goes behind the numbers to look at the music industry, the customers, and the amazing innovations that impact virtually all music heard on radio, TV and films. "Sonic Control applies our corporate mission of 'learn it right the first time' by teaching this other side of the music business which gets virtually no publicity outside the trade pre...
Music Makes a Great Holiday Gift for Kids Award-Winning 2007 CDs for Every Child on Your List
Music makes a great holiday gift for kids, a choice that will provide enjoyment throughout the year. Several new 2007 releases make great stocking stuffers and special gifts. All are winning national awards and are available from specialty e-tailer The Pokey Pup - www.pokeypup.com, where you can also hear song samples and find out more.
Juanes, Daddy Yankee, Mana and Other Latin Stars on V-me's New Music Interview Show Estudio Billboard -- Innovative Talk/Music format with Latin Lege
V-me's newest program, Estudio Billboard features intimate conversations with Daddy Yankee, Juanes, Franco DeVita, Gloria Estefan and many other top Latin artists. This new music and interview series debuts October 16 at 10:00 on V-me. The show was developed in collaboration with Billboard Magazine and is hosted by Leila Cobo, the ultimate Latin music insider.
'Green With Music' Takes Eco-Consciousness to a Higher Note during the Grammy's
Musics Stars Indulge in Green Gifting Retreat, Rejuvenation Lounge and Ayurvedic Spa at Green with Music
Billboard Revamps Hot 100 Chart With Online Music Data From AOL Music and Yahoo!
Reflects growth of digital delivery in redefined music marketplace.
Choosing The Right Music For Your Wedding
OverviewI suppose a typical Christian wedding in the UK can be divided into 4 main sections and these are:The ceremonyPre-meal drinksWedding breakfastEvening receptionI suppose about half of the weddings I come across have the ceremony in a church so this means that if they do require me to provide live music; it will be during the drinks before the meal and the wedding breakfast. Everyone's requirements are different so don't be afraid to discuss any special requirements with whoever your hiring.
Camden’s New Music Underground Building from the Ground Up
Music lovers are being introduced to a unique new sound in Camden NJ. It can be described as, highly charged, and sometimes politically motivated rap and R&B. Like the making of a diamond, the diverse and destructive streets, that Camden is known for, has born a truly unique product worthy of world wide exposure.
SpiralFrog Honored at the Long Island Software Awards: Music Service Wins LISA 2008 Award for High Quality Software
SpiralFrog, Inc. (www.spiralfrog.com), the free ad-supported Web-based music experience, today announced it was honored at the prestigious 12th annual Long Island Software and Technology Network's Long Island Software Awards (LISA) ceremony held in Garden City, NY. SpiralFrog received the LISA 2008 Award for High Quality Software Engineering.