Copyright your songs

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  • rjl1969's picture
    Copyright your songs
    rjl1969 says (26 Feb '13)

    Is there a cheaper way to register my copyright?

    The short answer is, "Yes." Many agencies will offer you cheap rates to register your creations. I would recommend registering your works with a totally trusted source - a government copyright registration office, or a reputable professional organization such as SOCAN, ASCAP, or BMI, etc.

    There is a method to protect your copyright though, that is quite inexpensive and easy for anyone to use.

    If you write notation, mail a copy of your song to yourself - double registered. This requires that as well as being signed for, the parcel will be time stamped on delivery. When your parcel arrives, sign for it, tape the receipt to the envelope, and put it in a file for safe-keeping. If the ownership of your material is ever in dispute, present the unopened file in court to prove your ownership as of the date on the envelope (God bless the postal service).

    If you do not write notation, the process simply requires an extra step or two..

    Make a recording of your song on a CD. This can be done with a digital voice recorder that plugs in to your computer to transfer the music file. If you do not have access to a DVR or a computer, make the best recording of your song you can using a cassette recorder. Don't worry about harmony lines or fully-produced backup - keep it simple. All you need is a clear lead line showing the melody. You can also use a flash drive, but this can be wasteful, as it is best to have one recording for each song.
    Make a clean, legible copy of your lead sheet, with neatly-typed lyrics and chords.
    As above, double register the parcel containing the CD together with your lead sheet, and, after signing the receipt and taping it to the parcel, place it in a safe place.
    You can also pay from 35-75 for each copyright dependent upon which type you are getting and there are also agencies that you can do multiple for a cheaper rate. Hope this helps Bryan . I don't think just cataloging will do it alone or at least you would have a bigger fight on your hands should someone decide to take your song.

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rjl1969's picture
Submitted by rjl1969
on Tue, 02/26/2013 - 7:56am

Is there a cheaper way to register my copyright?

The short answer is, "Yes." Many agencies will offer you cheap rates to register your creations. I would recommend registering your works with a totally trusted source - a government copyright registration office, or a reputable professional organization such as SOCAN, ASCAP, or BMI, etc.

There is a method to protect your copyright though, that is quite inexpensive and easy for anyone to use.

If you write notation, mail a copy of your song to yourself - double registered. This requires that as well as being signed for, the parcel will be time stamped on delivery. When your parcel arrives, sign for it, tape the receipt to the envelope, and put it in a file for safe-keeping. If the ownership of your material is ever in dispute, present the unopened file in court to prove your ownership as of the date on the envelope (God bless the postal service).

If you do not write notation, the process simply requires an extra step or two..

Make a recording of your song on a CD. This can be done with a digital voice recorder that plugs in to your computer to transfer the music file. If you do not have access to a DVR or a computer, make the best recording of your song you can using a cassette recorder. Don't worry about harmony lines or fully-produced backup - keep it simple. All you need is a clear lead line showing the melody. You can also use a flash drive, but this can be wasteful, as it is best to have one recording for each song.
Make a clean, legible copy of your lead sheet, with neatly-typed lyrics and chords.
As above, double register the parcel containing the CD together with your lead sheet, and, after signing the receipt and taping it to the parcel, place it in a safe place.
You can also pay from 35-75 for each copyright dependent upon which type you are getting and there are also agencies that you can do multiple for a cheaper rate. Hope this helps Bryan . I don't think just cataloging will do it alone or at least you would have a bigger fight on your hands should someone decide to take your song.

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rjl1969's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 7:02pm — rjl1969

Love the new site. It changed when I reset my iPad and now I have sound YouTube, KRC , and most Fb but videos , some sound comes thru and others not so much. All the kid videos you sent have no sound. Dunno?

Montana Anna's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 7:21pm — Montana Anna

I know...I LOVE the new site! :) It changed just as I was posting something and I thought uh oh my computer's on the fritz again, but no, I was greeted with the delights of pretty blue sky (my Montana morning sky looked just like this this morning!)...great fonts, colors, and layout...and awesome pictures of Kid Rock :) Me happy! :) (Although I will miss his most recent header picture as he looks off into the distance...that picture holds a very very very special place in my heart). Hope the iPad thing gets all figured out...sounds as if you are closer...I don't have an iPad so troubleshooting from Montana may not be the solution you're looking for :) LOL :) Hope you're having a great day! :)

ajay's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 3:15pm — ajay

The poor man's copyright has been in existence for as long as ppl have known about it. I have several mailed envelopes to myself and i know the postman is going what kind of nut is this?

rjl1969's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 2:53pm — rjl1969

No it won't work on KRC or fb?

rjl1969's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 11:43am — rjl1969

YouTube and pandora are working , just not KRC and Fb

Montana Anna's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 12:45pm — Montana Anna

Perplexing...I'll think about it on my now that I've showered and accomplished a lot already and it's still early wahoo I got my hiking boots on and the sunshine is a callin' my name walk with the dog :) That's were I do my best thinkin' :) I would imagine frustrating...hang in there, girl! :) Did you go to extremekidrock.com and play the video from their website? Did your sound work then?

rjl1969's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 5:45am — rjl1969

I just caught on to the prince lyrics, extra time and your, kiss, uh huh. Sometimes iiimmmm aaaa lliitttllleee sssslllllloooowwww!

Montana Anna's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 12:21pm — Montana Anna

Muah! :)

rjl1969's picture

Wed, 02/27/2013 - 5:40am — rjl1969

How did ya like them pics? Don't ya just love the one of Kid Rock painted on the side of the ride at the State Fair of Texas ? I wish I could post all the videos from all the show I've been to. I have Lynard Skynard and Kid, Cheryl Crow and Kid and lots more really good stuff but for some reason videos will not post on fb. Oh, and the lake house and the house I live in are one in the same. Love watching the moon dancing on the waters at sunset or sundown. Beautiful. My office over looks that peak on the front of the house and I had dumped my parrots food bowl out front and I look out there and there is like 20 ducks grazing. I started emptying it out in that one spot by the boulder all the time now and the ducks come and red birds and even a giant roadrunner. He's skiddish but funny.

rjl1969's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 4:10pm — rjl1969

Hey Montana, you know that Kid Rock video you sent me on fb, for some reason the sound won't come on the fb videos or this sights videos but will on pandora. I checked setting but I don't know what I did . Any ideas?

Montana Anna's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 5:15pm — Montana Anna

I'd somehow muted my youtube video playing once...it said it was unmuted but a little toggle slide bar to the right of it I also had to fiddle with. Don't know if that's it, but that one really chapped my ass for a while! LOL :) Otherwise, you maybe could check the sound on the video out on ExtremeKidRock.com...it's their featured video of the week. I like that they do that :) Good Luck! :)

rjl1969's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 4:07pm — rjl1969

It doesn't take a rocket surgeon or a brain scientist to write a song. Lmaoritf! I meant to say that. I just have a slight natural blonde to my hair but a long funny bone.

Montana Anna's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 5:03pm — Montana Anna

lmao! :) and me, too! :)

rjl1969's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 4:05pm — rjl1969

Hey it doesn't have to be an Elvis or Nora. It can be a one hit wonder. Frankly i don't give a damn Scarlet.lol I do it just for fun really, because I can. Don't get me wrong, I don't turn down earned money honey either cause if you got the money honey, I got the time. We'll go honky tonking, and leave it all behind. I forget the rest of it. I'm glad I don't have to remember them. Lmaoritf! I some how, mysteriously remember my own though. Huh, go figure.

Montana Anna's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 5:02pm — Montana Anna

I love Gone With The Wind...oh, my, I hope I'm not being a Scarlet, RJL?!? LOL That would be the opposite of my true love intention. And yeah, that's why we do it right? It's fun and it just flows out of us...ahhh...nice to go with the flow :) Believe me, sista, I don't turn down earned money either ;) ..."Bring along your Cadillac, leave my old busted ass vehicle LOL behind. If you've got the money, honey I've got the time." But yeah, my lyrics...I can't get 'em outta my head :)

rjl1969's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 3:33pm — rjl1969

Life's a beach maybe, if your going on the freaken cruise! I'm so jealous. I swear I'm gonna sell the lake house so I don't have to pay a kings ransome in taxes.

Montana Anna's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 4:53pm — Montana Anna

I know...I'm so jealous, too! I saw some fb picture of a white sandy beach and is that fo' real blue water? Man, it wants to snow here...a little cool...wtf? :) How many layers do I have to have on? And I still have to walk the dog! LOL :)

rjl1969's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 3:31pm — rjl1969

You make it sound like I'm going somewhere. Lol actually with my diagnosis my life is short lived but I'll never admit that. I'm gonna just keep kicken like a chicken chica. Hey, what else is there to do besides be happy, write songs, and kick it!

Montana Anna's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 4:44pm — Montana Anna

:) Keep on kicken chica chicken! :)

rjl1969's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 3:15pm — rjl1969

I don't want to be famous, I want to be anonymous and well paid. It can suck being known. I'll leave that to those who want it. I like my quiet happy life.

Montana Anna's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 4:42pm — Montana Anna

:)

Montana Anna's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 1:58pm — Montana Anna

Oh, RJL...I just want all your extra time and your kiss before you're gone forever! Hello Big Leagues! Welcome! Thank you so much for your wealth of information! Muah! :) And, LittleOld, happy to hear of your talents and glad to hear no regrets...I've been working overtime to figure out my own table and what's on it LOL :P It took me a bit but I am ready now :) Although, writing lyrics? How can you top something like Love Me Tender...and then to have The King sing it the way he does...and then to have Nora Jones sing it the way she does?!? Brilliant...slightly intimidating :) ...amazing...inspiring...like the beautifully lit Montana morning sky! ;)

ANGELIQUE LACRISSA's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 1:31pm — ANGELIQUE LACRISSA

That's such great info thanks

littleoldwtf's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 12:23pm — littleoldwtf

I only have one of mine because I had a well known artist view it it was a little known recording company called Philly Hits they wanted me to move there after high school and write for them but I never did it..its was a offer right after Kevin so all things were off the table then. and ya know I don't regret it either ~ it was called you'll miss me when im gone..yeah I suspect someone switched a couple words around and used it..I really dont care.

rjl1969's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 12:03pm — rjl1969

I doubt it. You may have one of my sons but it will likely be a while.

rjl1969's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 7:58am — rjl1969

I've started the process already on all of mine and they should be here today.

1bbshirlee's picture

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 11:59am — 1bbshirlee

So does that mean I'll have one of your CD soon? I hope so.