![]() No further reproduction or use for any purpose. The foregoing is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice in a particular matter or the existence of an attorney-client relationship. The Musician's Business and Legal Guide is a great resource, just out in the 5th Edition from Routladge Press. There are copyright lawyers with experience in music that will give a free initial consultation if you call or email.īut the Copyright Office Information Circulars are a great starting point. DO NOT try and use From TX, as this is 1) obsolete, 2) requires an $85 filing fee instead of $35, and 3) will take many months longer that the electronic registration. Gain permission to use music from hundreds of thousands of songwriters and composers from every genre imaginable. If you want to register it, do the registration electronically for $35. The ASCAP Music License is the most efficient and affordable way to ensure your business, venue, event, radio or television station uses ASCAP music legally. The copyright Office website has information circulars that explain very well the difference between a copyright (you automatically acquire and own the copyright when you write down the lyrics), and a copyright registration (the optional formality of filling out a form and sending a copy to the Copyright Office( from the ownership of the copyright in the sound recording, once the lyric is recorded, from the copyright in the music (the melody and beats), either alone as an instrumental, or as a "song" when combined with the lyrics.įor sure lyrics your have their own copyright (like a poem,). You should seek the advice of competent counsel before taking any action related to your inquiry. The above response is general information ONLY and is not legal advice, does not form an attorney-client relationship, and should NOT be relied upon to take or refrain from taking any action. When it comes time to hire musicians to create an instrumental version you will NEED to have your own California-licensed entertainment or intellectual property attorney help you with the agreements you'll need the musicians to sign so you will own all the rights to the resulting "master recording." Buy the book my colleague suggested and take it to heart. You can then submit that recording in a copyright registration application which, if you fill out the form right, will cover both the musical composition and the sound recording. Seems to me your best bet at the moment is to record yourself singing the song. Read especially Circular 56A which discusses the difference between the "musical composition" copyright which attaches to the words and music of a song and the "sound recording" copyright which attaches to every particular recording of a song. Your song, when sung without instruments, would be a cappella - a wonderful genre of music.Īs my colleague notes, you can read the Copyright Office's circulars to learn about the copyright registration process. ![]() Well, you do have a complete song if you have both the lyrics and the harmony, rhythm, and melody. ![]()
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