Exactly.....


I'm not saying DON'T copyright if that's what helps you sleep at night....


I agree 100% that with the majority of writers, the majority of the music they (we) (I) write is simply not written well enough that it is commercially viable. Hence, no reason in the world to copyright except for ego. I'm looking back at my early writings in reference to this and even some of the stuff I write now... no one wants that stuff.

There is no law on "stealing" an idea, concept, or groove from another song. Same thing with chord progressions.....I've seen a ton of YouTube videos showing band after band all playing the same progression in hit after hit..... no laws broken. Millions made. No law suits files.

Yeah, any protection is better than no protection, which is why I use Songuard. If I ever need to go to court over someone ripping off my tunes, of course I will get a copyright with the LOC and I will pay Songuard the fee to retrieve the song, plus my attorney will be getting all the other "proof"....server records and date stamps for uploads and internet sites. There is such a huge digital trail left behind these days..... and if all else fails there's always the NSA's records, becuase as we have come to find out, they are cataloging every bit of internet traffic and emails..... <<< that's a joke fellows about the NSA.... or is it?

The old trick of mailing it to yourself is totally a waste of time and money. With the ability of opening and resealing the package without leaving signs, no judge in the country would admit that as irrefutable, solid evidence in his courtroom.

There is also the possibility that someone will write a very similar melody or lyric as you. For example, I wrote a gospel song that no one heard but me. Riding down the road one day, listening to a local gospel music station, I heard a song that was "almost" my song in many aspects.... from the groove to the chords to the melody and even some of the words as I recall, not exact but similar..... I had never heard that song before, nor did I know the artist, nor did they know me, nor did they ever hear my song which was several years older than theirs...... but there it was. Totally amazed me, so there is that remote possibility as well.

It comes down to this: Do what you want.... what makes you feel safe. Always remember this one fact. A copyright from the LOC doesn't prevent anyone from stealing your song idea or melody or lyric and making a million bucks with it..... it just gives your lawyer one tiny bit of evidence to present to a judge and jury stating that you have a claim to that song's royalties...... remembering that the other writer also has a legal team and they will be presenting the argument that his client's song was not ripped from your song and that the case should be dismissed because you're just a greedy, wanna be writer who sees a chance to steal money from his client.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.