Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,847
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,847
Hi folks,

Just wondering if posting a song on website where the website states the day it was posted would provide in itself a form of copyright protection for the writer?

or not?

thanks very much
musiclover


Musiclover

My music https://www.youtube.com/user/donegalprideofall

Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2024, Cubase 13, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use smile
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,636
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,636
A lawyer would probably say 'better safe than sorry', and be right.

You have to have confidence the server would be around when needed, and the work to prove authenticity would be challenging. But it is something in your favor if accomplished. Everything on the net does leave a record, but getting to those records sometimes can be a pain.

Interesting scenario - PGMusic changed its forum software recently; are the old posts from the old forum still archived somewhere? I don't know. But even if theirs are, another server may not be.

I've given this some thought in recent years, and don't know how I stand, even still. Dates of information can be proven and accepted in court. Getting the servers to release that information may take a court injuction, or the server may have disappeared years before. It's an 'iffy' thing IMHO. It *could* be proven, but it would probably be easier is to prove using conventional methods. Getting lawyers to force someone to release records and the associated cost from both the server (to get the records) and law inforcement (for a civil matter to demand the records) would probably be pretty costly, with lawyer fees and all. Just my thoughts.

IANAL (I am not a lawyer)

OK, here's the flip side of it.
Once upon a time there was a site called melodyguard.com. They would accept your file and timestamp it so you could have a copy and they would keep a copy too (for a fee). The two versions were suppose vouch for each other. They are out of business last I heard, so I guess it didn't work so well.

Last edited by rharv; 04/09/11 02:59 PM.

Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,126
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,126
Intellectual property laws in the U.S.A. assert that if you composed it, it is yours by default. An automatic legal right. Canada and England have similar legislation.
Although various commercial services claim that their brand of copyright documentation is superior to what is available at no cost to the musician, when push comes to shove (a legal battle), it is all about who can afford the slickest lawyers to represent their case.

A recent case transpired in Canada with Sarah McLaughlin and the gentleman who produced and co-wrote four of her songs. The album was released without any songwriting credit to her producer, and no royalties were paid out to him. He had clear legal claim to co-writing the songs - she could afford a better lawyer.
Last I heard, he is still not receiving royalties, and cannot afford to hire lawyers to appeal the decision.

Bottom line: almost any legitimate corroboration of the fact that the song is yours will do, as long as you can afford the legal muscle to follow through should someone contest your ownership.

My approach: write the songs - have some fun. If you write a winner and someone "steals" it, relax and write another winner...

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689
As stated above, it is your property when you compose it. I think it best to send a copy of the CD to the U.S. Copyright office for a copyright registration. The form asks for the first publication date, which can be the date that you first sang the song in public. You also have to send a CD of the song and of course 45 bucks per song.

Don S.

Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,302
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,302
If I remember right, "A" copyright is 45 bucks, and you can submit up to 10 songs as a suite under one title and copyright all 10 for the same 45 bucks. A lawyer or research at some time earlier than 1am may prove me wrong, but I have done it that way in the past.


I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.

1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Quote:

Hi folks,

Just wondering if posting a song on website where the website states the day it was posted would provide in itself a form of copyright protection for the writer?

or not?

thanks very much
musiclover





NO.


--Mac

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,103
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,103
If you want it protected, register it with the copyright office.

Even if you can prove the date you wrote the song, if someone else steals it, and it isn't registered, you cannot sue for any money - you can only get them to stop playing/selling it.

I'm not a lawyer either, but I do have some experience with registering copyrights (it's not difficult).

Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,847
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,847
Thanks for replies everybody. I was just wondering about this but probably as Oren says write the songs and have fun and I don't think its going to go anywhere so no need to worry about that. To be honest I probably feel a bit of a hypocrite as I intend to use s few pics in the song video that I got on google images so before I do that I should really get permission, though I dont have a clue who the copywright owners are. I can't really use my own pics as song is a tribute to a long dead singer.

On a different note the song is 2.30 mins long and is 128mb .wmv file. Would I need to put song into a different file format so that I can upload easier and it will stream easier on youtube for lower broadband speeds?

thanks a lot for your kind help.

musiclover


Musiclover

My music https://www.youtube.com/user/donegalprideofall

Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2024, Cubase 13, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use smile
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Quote:



My approach: write the songs - have some fun. If you write a winner and someone "steals" it, relax and write another winner...




My feelings exactly Oren. It's a problem I'd like to have...

Marc

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689
There are a great number of websites that post lyrics to copyrighted music. This would be a violation of the copyright laws and yet the sites persist unharmed.

I wonder if this part of the law is winked at in an effort to promote sales of the music?

Just wondering.

Don S.

Off-Topic
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
I'm not all that concerned with theft of my music these days, simply because what I do write is MELODIC and what is selling today is not melodic.

Don't get me wrong, I still register copyrights for certain of my compositions, but it is not very likely that someone is going to steal my entire jazz-based composition these days.

The real problem nowadays is theft of the mechanicals.

Sampling a few bars of your recording and looping it throughout another recording without giving you credit or royaltis is the way copyrights get violated these days.

So it behooves the recordist to make sure that they obtain at least the mechanical copyright on their recorded works. This can be done economically by obtaining a mechanical copyright on the whole album (CD) at once, rather than by the song, which makes your bottom line investment only one $40 fee in the US. There are caveats to not having each separate song copyrighted, though, and the serious songwriter should indeed consult a Music Writing Attorney (NOT JUST ANY ATTORNEY BUT ONE WHO IS IN THE MUSIC WRITING LAW FIELD) concerning the differences.

That said, the odds of any internationally known artist stealing loops from internet published home recordings are low to nonexistant. They're gonna go for Miles, not Mac.


--Mac

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689
Hi Mac,

I've had my songs on the net for a few years, and no one is rushing to steal them from me, That's a pretty good humility lesson.

The biggest notice I get is from the sites that sell ring tones. They hot link back to my site, so at least the songs get some play.

I still wonder how the sites that post copyrighted lyrics manage to escape the letter of the law?

Don S.

Off-Topic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 169
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 169
Quote:

Quote:



My approach: write the songs - have some fun. If you write a winner and someone "steals" it, relax and write another winner...




My feelings exactly Oren. It's a problem I'd like to have...

Marc




So...if someone stole something you made and sold it it would be OK with you? Interesting thinking.

Off-Topic
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,636
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,636
Quote:

...

The real problem nowadays is theft of the mechanicals.

Sampling a few bars of your recording and looping it throughout another recording without giving you credit or royaltis is the way copyrights get violated these days.

So it behooves the recordist to make sure that they obtain at least the mechanical copyright on their recorded works. This can be done economically by obtaining a mechanical copyright on the whole album (CD) at once, rather than by the song, which makes your bottom line investment only one $40 fee in the US. There are caveats to not having each separate song copyrighted ...

That said, the odds of any internationally known artist stealing loops from internet published home recordings are low to nonexistant. They're gonna go for Miles, not Mac.

-Mac




Your newsletter; how do I subscribe? <grin> </grin>
Your mechanical copyright is a good idea for 99% of users. It still validates registered dates (even if it seems to take forever).


Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®

The Bob Doyle Media YouTube channel is known for demonstrating how you can creatively incorporate AI into your projects - from your song projects to avatar building to face swapping, and more!

His latest video, Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box, he explains in detail how you can use the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box with ACE Studio. Follow along as he goes from "nothing" to "something" with his Band-in-a-Box MIDI Melodist track, using ACE Studio to turn it into a vocal track (or tracks, you'll see) by adding lyrics for those notes that will trigger some amazing AI vocals!

Watch: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box


Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!

Paket | Was ist Neu

Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!

The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!

Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.

This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245

The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option

Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!

Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!

For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.

Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.

Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!

Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.

Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!

With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!

Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,636
Posts735,306
Members38,522
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
Ely Bass, Barking, SYOTR, Bpnsrinu, DanyLevy
38,522 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 181
DC Ron 99
dcuny 89
DrDan 72
Today's Birthdays
govinspector
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5