Yes -- that is a US Copyright Office registry form question.

I take Chantelle's answer to be in sync with PGM's FAQs specifically #23 which Chantelle references.

What I understand the USCO's question to infer is where the 3rd party content is the copyright of someone else.

If you create a composition using strickly BIAB then per PGM you own that composition including the rendered sound recording (SR).

Now if PGM does not mean the SR then they need to be specific about what they mean by "composition".

That said you cannot claim copyright of a chord progression even if it has a unique rhymic feel.

You can claim copyright of a melody whether it is played over a chord progression or not. (Though key and chords are implied anyway).

Also the USCO is authenticating your claim of copyright through a legal review/registration process -- the government DOES NOT issue copyright in the USA. Because as citizens we have "natural copyright".

But natural copyright is nearly impossible to prove in court.

An alternative to the USCO registry is a service called https://SongSecure.com

It's $9.95/month unlimited registrations. See their website for details.

Hope this helps.

Last edited by Derek Abrams; 03/11/22 10:27 PM.