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If a publication’s copyright names a LLC claimant with full rights to the work, does the term of the copyright last the 70 years after the death of the last original author or is it now tied to the LLC? (this question also applies to transfers of copyright ownership to other individuals)

If the LLC disolves, what happens to the copyright?

Is it a good idea to copyright your songs before you go to the recording studio or before you start sharing with others even before the work is complete? (i.e. lyrics or melody might still be changing)

Thanks!

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The US Copyright Office webpage has answers to almost any questions. Now there is a very good FAQ section as well, so we don't have to pour through pages of rules and regulations.

If you are not living in the US, the page is still a good source for sorting out the do's and dont's of copyrights because of International Agreements concerning copyright law. There are a few differences from country to country that one must be aware of, however.

http://www.copyright.gov/


--Mac

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Yes, copyright before going to the the studio. Any changes to lyrics will still be covered; melody is probably more important. I have heard horror stories of guys going into studios, their efforts getting heard by others who were then 'inspired' to write something similar. Protect your stuff before showing anyone in the business.

That said, you own the copyright as soon as you write it, the key is having the ability to prove it. *That* is what official copyright in US is all about; having the proof.
The other questions need a lawyer's opinion to have any weight in my opinion..

IANAL (I am not a lawyer) so just take the above as friendly advice.


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Thanks! I'll definitely get the songs into the copyright office then. Thanks!

After reading through the FAQ, i think it is 95 years from date published for LLC (or 120 years from creation which ever is first...
or
70 years for the death of the last living author.
I'm not quite sure if claimant overrides the author ruling.

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Fill out form PA online, upload your songs. You can name a collection/compilation and submit 10 songs as part of the compilation for one $35 fee. You can upload your files. Then type your lyrics into documents, zip them into one file, and upload that zipped file. In 8 or so weeks you will get confirmation.

When I did this month I called there (twice) and was told by 2 different people that the copyright is effective as of the date you upload the work and submit a credit card for the fee.

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The important thing is to have fixed the work in permanent medium. Permanent medium just means putting it on paper, CD, vinyl, tape or hard drive.

As soon as it is fixed on a permanent medium you have yourself a copyrighted work. Since copyright will out last any living artist, in most countries, there's no reason to postpone fixing the work in a permanent medium.

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