I don't use copyright. No one is out there trying to steal your songs.... as hard as it is to get one published .... nahh, no one's out there being nefarious. As many really, really, good songs get turned down and never see the light of day with publishers.... no, I don't think there's a big risk to going without a copyright on a song. Save your money and save your time..... unless.... you are convinced that this is the next biggest #1 worldwide hit..... after all, every song we write is a huge hit if we can only get it to the right person. Right????? And also, if you need that security to sleep soundly at night.....

I do, however, use a service called Songuard. It comes with MasterWriter software. Essentially, it's a third party secure server date register service for copyrighted things. There's others on line very similar if you need it.

Sending yourself a registered sealed copy doesn't hold up in a court of law so don't waste time with that.

The US Library of Congress is the only official place to file copyrights. Before any infringement case can be taken to a US court of law, a copyright must be filed. Look at their website.... I think you may now be able to do the entire process on line. It used to be $35 bucks per song and I think $45 for a collection. I used to do collections since it saved money.

Now days I don't use copyright. I use Songuard sometimes but not always. (as stated above) I send songs to publishers and music libraries. When one of them decides they want my song on an exclusive deal, THEY will do the copyright in their name and pay for it. They may also register it for me with my PRO (performing rights organization) BMI. If they don't do that for me I can easily do it in a few seconds on line. You need to be a member of a PRO to collect royalties. Joining is free for writers. Most of the deals I sign are with "non-exclusive" libraries. That simply means they want to rep the song for you BUT you are still free to place it elsewhere and no publisher/library needs or asks for copyright on the song. The only thing they DO want to know for sure is that YOU own 100% of the rights on the song. Generally, these are NOT full songs but are the short 5, 10, 15 second musical cues used in TV shows. Very few people will spend $35 to register a 10 second clip that might be used one or two times and earn you $5 each use. I have many, many cuts like this.... none are copyrighted.

When the song gets used, the publisher's tagged info allows it to be tracked as one of my songs. BMI collects the performance royalties and the publisher collects the mechanical royalties and both cut me a check for the songs that are being used. Lots of writers for film and TV only collect performance and licensing. Folks who land artist CD deals also pick up the mechanicals from sales.

Currently, royalties from streaming songs and downloads is so low that it might as well not even exist. Unless you are selling tens of thousands of DL's and streaming plays, you won't see a dime. There's a huge controversy going over this pittance payment that's set up currently.

A great book to read on this topic to learn more is called This Business of Music. It's a bit dry but it does explain all this in much greater detail.

Got more questions..... ask.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 02/25/15 03:20 AM.
You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
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