How to Copyright Your Music
To copyright your music, visit www.Copyright.gov and create an account. Select "Register a Copyright" and register your song online for a small fee. This establishes your priority as the author. Once recorded or written down, you own the exclusive rights to your song and can take legal action if someone uses it without permission. Below are five steps to start copyrighting your music today:
- Make a physical copy by writing down or recording your music.
- Create an account at www.Copyright.gov.
- Select "Register a Copyright" and register your song online. Pay the small copyright registration fee.
- Put everyone on notice that this is your song.
- Take legal action if someone uses your song without permission.
Understanding Copyright Registration and Costs
The electronic filing fee for a single recording through the U.S Copyright Office is $45 as of winter of 2023. Filing fees may vary depending on your location, nature of work, and stage of filing as it pertains to your work.
Legally, copyright exists in the UK the instant you create a tangible form of your music. In contrast, the USA necessitates a more formal copyrighting process. This involves registering your songs with the US Copyright Office (USCO), yielding several benefits for US artists, such as enhanced leverage, protection, and power when monetizing your music catalog. Owing to a 2019 law enacted by the US Supreme Court, all music must now be registered with the USCO before you can initiate any copyright dispute or infringement lawsuit. Early registration is advised.
Copyright FAQs and Guidance for Musicians
How do I patent a song? The short answer is no, a song cannot be patented. Patents do not protect songs, however, you can protect your song by registering it as a copyright with the U.S Copyright Office.
How can I sell a song? Learn how to copyright your songs and legally protect your music. With these tips, you’ll make the most money and abide by copyright laws….
Music copyright 101: As an independent musician, you own your songs and recordings. It’s YOUR intellectual property. Securing copyright for your music is essential if you want to protect your music from theft and plagiarism.
Additional Information and Tips
When copyrighting music, copyright rules provide copyright owners with legal protection. The procedure for copyrighting music is simple.
How do some YouTubers use copyrighted music? You need permission from the copyright holder (musician/record-label) to allow you to use their music. You can also sign up to sites that have licenses for the music and allows usage. In most cases, you would have to pay a monthly/yearly fee to access and use their music library.
How long does music copyright last? Music copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the last surviving author.
Overall costs for copyrighting a song can range from $60 to $140.