Once you complete an original musical work and put it in a fixed form (i.e. a CD), you automatically own the copyright. This is the beauty of Copyright Law! However, just because you own the copyright, doesn’t mean it’s easy to prove you were the first creator should someone steal your work.

As such, if you are planning on earning money from your music, or if it would bother you if someone stole your work, you should consider added protection in the form of copyright registration.

Fortunately, copyright registration for your music can be relatively painless, depending on your financial threshold. The cost of copyright registration can vary dramatically. It can range from as little as $4 per musical work to $60 per musical work. When evaluating copyright services for music, ensure you know all costs, fixed and re-occurring. As well, keep an eye out for membership fees or renewal fees that must be paid for your registration to remain valid.

Although it can be tempting, do not rely on the ‘Poor Man’s Copyright Method’ (i.e. registered mail, emailing yourself) because it is highly unlikely to be regarded as proof in a court of law. If you absolutely cannot afford to register your work, emailing the work to yourself is, at least, better than nothing. However, given the time and energy put into creating your music, it’s often well worth the added investment to ensure your work is protected through registration.

If you decide you want to proceed with added copyright protection through registration, here’s what you should do:

o Put your music into a fixed form (for example, CD, DVD, paper, etc.). This is absolutely critical for copyright law to recognize your work. If it’s not in a fixed form, it’s not covered by copyright law.

o Choose a registration service. Copyright law requires you to prove ownership of your work if you wish to proceed in a claim against an infringer. There are a number of copyright services available (Government, Associations, Online, etc.); however, many can be expensive and may not protect your music for the life of copyright (unless you renew your membership). Having said this, there are a number of fabulous services out there…just keep your eyes open and watch for hidden costs.

o Once you have chosen a service that suites your needs, register your music. Upon completion, you will receive a registration certificate that provides protection and proof against infringers, as it provides evidence of the day and time you submitted your work which helps prove ownership. It’s best to register your music as soon as it is finished, before showing it any outside parties. Registration generally involves filling out forms that gather evidence about the musical work.

o Remember to keep a copy of your registration certificate.

Once registered, you are ready to promote your work with the confidence it is protected. Good luck!

Disclaimer
The above information is meant as a general guide to further your copyright knowledge about music registration and does not constitute legal advice. For questions about your specific work, you should consult a copyright lawyer in your country.

Justine Shoolman is a Founder of Copyright Creators (CC), a service inspired by the shortfalls of “poor man’s copyright”. CC protects copyright for life with no membership fees. Visit CC today to receive 4 free registrations.