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What if we post our songs in facebook immediately after we write it...and then later on release it..doing this even if in case someone has your song copied you will be able to show that you have it posted already...kinda raw version..
ALERT: Be very careful after you register your works. After registration your works are made 'PUBLIC' which includes your name, title of works, even your address and telephone number. Anyone in the world can see it. A shady person claiming to be from a shady company can call you and state that they are a 'middle man' between the creator and the US Copyright office. They will ask you for hundreds of dollars to 'finish' registering your works! Hang up and if you can report. Contact the Copyright office directly to ask questions. The criminals usually will try to call newly registered creators before the Copyright Office send the official certification. Just a heads up. Peace.
thewinter-woah,I thought I was paranoid but now you bring it to another level, never use your real personal info, create another email music related only,get an artist named and official it. But we learn everyday and teach others also. I just learnt something new by reading you here. Cheers.
I was involved in a copyright infringement case in the US. Even though we had all the documentation and everything proving beyond any doubt that it was our work it took 1 1/2 years of fighting a corporation with a lawyer to get paid and we didn't even get paid the full amount. Yes, copyright your music but truth is once somebody steals it is going to be a long and expensive fight to get what was taken from you,
Extra Stuff Extra Stuff Yes. That’s like when somebody is accused of a crime they just don’t throw them in jail, everything has to go through a legal process. We eventually had to sue an ad agency, Macy’s and the individual that stole the music. At that point they paid attention. By the time we got our money it was almost a year and a half.
Roman Rojas: Curious, did you *timely* register your music with the US Copyright Office, either BEFORE the copyright infringement started OR within three-months of its first-publication date? Or did you miss that registration window and could only pursue *actual damages* and the infringer/s profits from the unlicensed music usage?
@@cnlicnli The song was actually a remake, a cover of an old Xmas song from Spain. But when you are dealing with an ad agency and you do a job for them there’s all kinds of documents that you have to sign and also emails between the composers and the production team that serves as a paper trail so you can back your claim. We also had dated protools session confirming the date of creation. With all that on our side it was still a fight that took almost one year and a half. In other words, it’s never that simple even when you registerer your song. And lawyers are expensive as well. I highly recommend becoming a member of Volunteer Layers For The Arts if you ever run into trouble.
I totally agree with you and I wrote a great song and someone wanted to remix my song and pretended to be my friend and I allowed them to do that and I didn’t fully understand what they were asking of me to do in return because no contract was sent out to me and they terms were unclear. But now i understand copyrighting all my originals should be my number one priority and so should it be for everyone else to !
I entered a songwriting competition when I was 13 that a record company advertised to win a recording and release in the studio and got told I didn’t get anywhere in it later that year they released my song exactly how it was written the same melody and lyrics it got to 27 in the Uk charts for a few days and then bombed out of the 50s position I’ve written over 1000 songs and petrified to release anything I don’t trust anyone and even if you do take people to court it costs you more in the long run unless the music is a massive hit and also people change the melody slightly and swap a couple of lyrics and loose the case and be in debt!
Thank you so much Charles! This video was super helpful! I recently created a song with the help and support of my friend and plan to post it on my YT channel. Before posting the song I first wanted to understand what copyright is and how I can use it to protect my music.
Thanks for posting this. I just found it, and up to now, I've only had a "poor man's copyright"...but it was so long ago, I only had them on a cassette! I'd rather go the official route. Appreciate this information. Very straightforward.
The *US Copyright Office* states, “The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is *NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR REGISTRATION* [emphasis added].
Thank you Charles! My remaining question , Could I upload a rough recording to the website just for a reference and to get the rights , and then when I go to remix/pretty it up, not have to upload and pay another fee for the remix if I already own the rights to the first recording? Or does a whole new recording of that song have to have a copy right? Thank you for your time !
It depends on the circumstances and maybe the region as well. This is a question for the copyright office and the music distribution service you intend to use. I would think the short answer is no, as long as the 2 songs are structurally the same. Don't quote me, though. I'm not an expert.
In the UK this is an excerpt directly from the Govt. website. You get copyright protection automatically - you don’t have to apply or pay a fee. There isn’t a register of copyright works in the UK. You automatically get copyright protection when you create:
@justjames1111 wrote, “You get [UK] copyright protection automatically - you don’t have to apply or pay a fee. There isn’t a register of copyright works in the UK. You automatically get copyright protection when you create” That’s the *same* copyright protocol in the US. In fact, the US, UK, EU, and other Berne Convention copyright treaty member countries (about 170 of them) grant an automatic copyright upon creating qualified works of authorship. BTW, how to you actually (legally) know your UK work is copyrightable? The US copyright registration system is very much a “vetting” process that helps authenticate your US copyright validity. By timely registering your works, you’re statutorily granted *“presumptive legal proof” (prima facie evidence)* that you created the work and own its corresponding copyright. It’s not the original or RAW file that necessarily proves your copyright ownership claims, as those files and “time-stamping” documents can be faked. On the other hand, it’s tough (impossible???) to fabricate a USCO issued “Certificate of Registration” (that the USCO will mail you), as a backup copy is also stored in the USCO’s on-line Public Catalog database that the public can access & review. Though international Berne (UK) creatives do NOT have to register their works with the US Copyright Office (USCO) to have “legal standing” to pursue US-based copyright infringers in a US federal court, they, like their American counter-part, can ONLY pursue “actual damages” (typically the missed licensing fee which can be minuscule) and the “disgorgement of unlawful profits” the US infringer made (IF ANY!) + the copyright owner’s attorney fees are NOT available. As a general rule, both actual damages and recoupment of infringer’s profit will typically NOT cover your US attorney fees, making it, too often, un-economical to chase US-based copyright infringers for money damages. Most all US copyright infringement disputes are resolved out of court via private settlement, as the cost to litigate is ENORMOUS. It’s rare to see a copyright infringement dispute travel all the way to a trial verdict. Having a timely registration in-hand encourages (pushes!) American infringers to settle out of court. If a non-Fair Use copyright infringer chooses not to settle and the copyright owner prevails post trial, the infringer is liable for US$750 to US$30,000 and up to US$150,000 for *WILLFUL* copyright infringement + the copyright owner’s attorney fees & legal costs. To mitigate their legal & financial exposure, most all US copyright infringers who are facing a timely registered copyright claim will want to quickly settle out of court and quietly move on. A timely USCO registration provides both US and international creatives with the necessary *LEVERAGE* to obtain money damages from US copyright infringers. Joshua Kaufman is a Washington, DC copyright attorney/litigator. In his short UA-cam video, he addresses the economics of NOT timely registering your works: ua-cam.com/video/cBOKkrleY3Y/v-deo.html I have to believe that a USCO “Certificate of Registration” issued by the US Copyright Office could be used to help prove your own UK copyright validity. I also have to believe that the UK and other Berne courts would respect & honor documents issued by the US Copyright Office, an official United States government entity. So, if you’re listing, selling, licensing, or sharing/distributing your UK work on US-based platforms, you *really, really* need to have a timely registered copyright to be able to pursue US infringers form money damages and possibly your attorney fees. *WATERMARKS:* It’s advantageous to also affix your posted works with your copyright attribution (with URL and/or social media handle), a watermark (logo), licensing information, ROBUST metadata, and/or other *“Copyright Management Information”* (CMI). *US-based copyright infringers who knowingly remove, cover-up, or change CMI (watermarks) with AI, Photoshop or any editing software to hide their copyright infringements or induce others to infringed, can be liable for the copyright owner’s actual money damages and profits OR US$2,500 to US$25,000 in statutory damages PLUS attorney fees PLUS legal costs (at the court’s discretion).* A timely registered copyright claim is NOT required to pursue CMI (DMCA) violators. So, if you choose NOT to timely register your UK works with the USCO, at the very least, affix them with some type of CMI to give you some legal recourse against American infringers.
Question: Do I have to go through the copyright process for every track/beat I make and intend on releasing? Or can I copyright my name and/or work as a whole to where it will cover future stuff as well.
@@CharlesCleyn if I make an original beat that isn’t made into a song yet, wouldn’t I want to copyright the beat? So ppl can’t just take n use my beats
The problem is that if your song isn't big...it can get stolen without getting noticed, but for example if kygo released a song and then a month later there's a dude who copied his song it will be obvious...but if you are not well known - it can get stolen by someone bigger, and he'll get the credit
not if you have proof of copyright. That’s why copyright exists. If kygo steals a song you wrote and you can prove it then you can go to battle with them
sadly in my country they asking me to get it played on the radio or they cant help me. its very sad here in Trinidad and Tobago. I would register it in a different country yes
I don't know for sure, electronic verification might be okay but they send you the official letter in the mail. maybe you can mail it somewhere else to a friend that can hold onto it for you?
Singer, songwriter here too and I appreciate your video! I have copyrighted quite a few songs at one time year ago but am presently doing a refresh! Thanks!
great video can u do a video showing the actual upload process of a new song or beat like how u upload the song meaning do they accept one mp4 file and your done ....or do you have to upload other files to prove in depth you made the song meaning more then just a mp4 ect thank you
Good info, thanks. One question, if I post a composition on UA-cam, that’s basically a copyright.. right?. The posting date is there, so I would think that would count for something. Or not?
@@CharlesCleyn Yes, that's especially true when it comes to courts. And protect copyrights costs a lot, a lot of money. I composed for well-known bands, composers. Against cash money. Just like we do to this day many almost all producers. Gather a group of composers but only one name and that very well known, may be. Especially in film production well Only if musician, composer is or was music computer scientist, programmer, can encode not only meta data. No. That's easy. With audio, with WAV you can own Insert stamp, own code. Then simply copy and use as proof, simply complain about gross fraud, Report fraud, theft etc. (in EU) at police. Apply for forensic reports analysis & preservation of evidence. As in criminal case? Yes.
Ariadna Rosales wrote, “If you only got the lyrics but no melody or soundtrack yet, do you upload as literary work or Performing arts?” I would register your lyrics as a literary work: copyright.gov/registration/literary-works/
Hey this was pretty useful. I just wanted to ask you a question though. I make beats for fun and I think they are pretty sick and I was just wondering, if I wanted to turn my beats into a reality and send my beats to famous artists, before I send it to those artists should I get an official copyright document for my beats or after I send the beats to the famous artists and if they end up using my beat which is unlikely will they do the copyright for the song and the beat?
That's a great question John. For beats specifically I'm not so familiar with. Let's say you made beat for a famous artist I think they would probably prefer to pay you out outright for the beat for a fixed fee or they could consider giving you a split on the publishing or master rights of the song. Are you on beat stars or another platform selling your beats already?
You can't copyright a beat as a composition, you can only copyright the recording itself so nobody can steal your recording. Anyone can use a beat, it doesn't belong to anyone. The only exception would be if it was something extremely unusual.
Can I copyright an album before I release it? I've heard that if you copyright something when it's unpublished, then you have to get another copyright for it when it is published, but to me this doesn't make any sense because if you release something and then copyright it after, somebody could steal it, which defeats the purpose of copyrighting it in the first place.
Cubesandoldstuff wrote, “Can I copyright [register!] an album before I release it? Yes, you can. I timely register my photographs as a group of *UNpublished* images in a single eCO (on-line) copyright registration application with the US Copyright Office (USCO), as that option better fits my workflow. I’ll wait at least two-days BEFORE I post (publish) any of those UNpublished photographs to the web or my social media sites (to sell, share, license, etc.) -- you can *NOT* register an unpublished work, say on June 2nd, and then “publish” it (sell or share it) on that very SAME day! You can also register your works as being “published.” You could post them on-line for sale or licensing or sharing, but quickly register them as a “published” work with the USCO, and do it no later than within three-months of its first day of publication. Cubesandoldstuff wrote, “I've heard that if you copyright [register!] something when it's unpublished, then you have to get another copyright for it when it is published” No that’s incorrect. Once you register an UNpublished work with the USCO, you do NOT have to register it when it gets officially published (when you start selling, licensing, sharing, etc. to the public). If, however, you’ve changed the unpublished registered work by adding new creative material to it, you should register this “derivative” (new) work with the USCO. In the US, when you timely register your copyrights (here before publication or within five-years of first-publication), you’re granted *“presumptive legal proof”* that that you have a valid registered copyright claim AND that all the information included in your (on-line) copyright registration application will also be deem to valid - a US federal judge needs to see your issued copyright “Certificate of Registration” BEFORE you can file suit in federal court. *You help PROVE your copyright creation and its authorship by quickly registering it with the USCO* ! Use the *“Group Registration of Unpublished Works”* to register a “group” of up to TEN *UNpublished* creative works of the same medium type (like ten music compositions and its corresponding sound recordings); the total fee is $85 (not $85 for each work) (do NOT use this application to register photographs): ua-cam.com/video/eR14iSM4esQ/v-deo.html To register ONE un-/published creative work (music) (“Single Application”) with one author who’s the same copyright claimant, that’s NOT a Work-For-Hire project, with no third-party creative media included, is $45 total fee: ua-cam.com/video/MkBiPQNDVBc/v-deo.html . Otherwise, to register ONE work (“Standard Application”) with joint-authors and/or Creative Commons, Public Domain, and/or licensed media, or is part of a work-for-hire project, the fee is $65: ua-cam.com/video/6gNkssUfYas/v-deo.html *If you music is being infringed (stolen), do NOT ask UA-cam, Facebook, and other social media sites for legal advice - most all of it is wrong! Get a copyright attorney to help protect your music compositions and sound recordings* . Joshua Kauffman, copyright attorney expert, explains why you and other creatives should (timely) register your copyrights: ua-cam.com/video/cBOKkrleY3Y/v-deo.html *Copyright Registration Info & Tips* -- Copyright Registration: ua-cam.com/video/mM5fs2TCMKs/v-deo.html -- Submitting Your Work to the USCO: ua-cam.com/video/0w29otj5s6Y/v-deo.html -- USCO Registration Portal: www.copyright.gov/registration/ -- USCO FAQ: www.copyright.gov/help/faq/index.html -- US Ccpyright law basics: www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf --Contact (email) the US Copyright Office for assistance (might take five-days or longer to receive a reply): www.copyright.gov/help/ You can also call the USCO, but your wait-time can be long: (202) 707-3000 or 1 (877) 476-0778.
Hey Charles! Amazingly helpful video. Question: right now all I have is a few songs written (not recorded) that I'd like to be on my first album. Should I copyright the lyrics and then record the actual songs or wait to copyright until I have the songs recorded?
As a Canadian do you use the Canadian or American copyright website or does it even matter which one to use? The reason I ask is because I am a Canadian also and it seems to me that the American website is way easier to use.
In theory if you upload your original song via soundcloud, youtube, or other platform you are also copyrighting your music there. You can see the upload date which is proof that you were the first to upload your particular song. Right?
Valentino Kitchen wrote, “…if I made my song, then uploaded it onto UA-cam, would that be proof that I had made it o the date of that upload?” Probably not. Your evidence of your song creation, or mailed CD to yourself in a SASE, or using your computer email to time-stamp your musical creation, or the date of your UA-cam upload will typically not hold up in federal court, as that evidence can easily be manipulated (faked). Those recording actions are *NOT* substitutes to *officially registering your songs with the US Copyright Office (USCO).* To be fully protected by copyright law against copyright infringers, you MUST *“timely”* register your music copyrights with the USCO. In the US, creatives help PROVE their copyright creation and copyright ownership claims to a federal judge by quickly registering their works with the USCO (registered as an unpublished work or registered within five-years of first-publication), as this statutorily grants them “prime facie evidence” (“presumptive legal proof”). See 17 USC § 410 (Registration of claim and issuance of certificate & 17 USC 506(e): False Representation [Criminal Offenses]). The US copyright registration system is very much a vetting process to help authenticate your copyright validity. It’s not necessarily about having a RAW or original file that proves your copyright creation - a US federal judge MUST see your ISSUED copyright “Certificate of Registration” (or its refusal) to have “legal standing” (the right to sue copyright infringers). Your Certificate will include your “effective date of registration,” the official US government date stamp. *If you register more quickly, you get additional legal benefits.* If your non-Fair Use infringed work was *“timely”* registered with the USCO, here either BEFORE the infringement began OR registered WITHIN three-months of its first-date of publication, you can pursue statutory damages ($750 to $30,000 and up to $150,000 for willful copyright infringement) and attorney fees against the infringer (the infringer may have to pay your attorney fees and legal cost post trial). See 17 USC § 412 (Registration as prerequisite to certain remedies for infringement). If you miss either of these two very time-sensitive windows to register, you can ONLY pursue “actual damages,” typically the missed licensing fee (usually what you would have charged), and the disgorgement of profits the infringer made (if any!) from reproducing your music. Importantly, you’re responsible for your attorney fees and other legal costs! As a rule, any money damages received from an out-of-court settlement or via trial verdict will NOT cover your attorney fees, making it, too often, *uneconomical to pursue copyright infringers without having a timely registered copyright in-hand.* Watch JUST the first 20-seconds of Joshua Kaufman’s copyright video tutorial to understand why you have to timely register your copyrights: ua-cam.com/video/cBOKkrleY3Y/v-deo.html
Thanks for the information. What about the electronic music like playing 1 hour on youtube live? Should I register the live improvising music? Is it possible? Also I make short youtube intro music by myself, then I noticed people seemed to copy a little bit of it. How do I prevent it?
The best bet is to copyright your music as a Sound Recording . That way you can get an album full of songs copyrighted on one application. If you write a lot of songs, you will spend a fortune copyrighting them one at a time . So doing the Sound Recording will copyright a bunch of songs at once. I've done as many as 10 songs on one application and then at the end of the process you can upload mp3's to complete the copyright. I don't know if there is a set limit on the number of songs per one application but I know I've done at least 10.
Isn't the "seal" broken when you have to prove your the copyright holder for one of those 10 songs ? I heard that copyright for the rest of the album will be useless or is that bs? The album is bundled into one submission right?
@@oggfish Well all the songs are uploaded and accepted by the copyright office so you have a notice from the office with the name of each of the songs you uploaded. I used to put Collection of Songs in the title and took credit for arranging them writing and singing them . I just copyrighted another bunch of songs a month ago. It was a little different then a couple years ago as I felt I had to use the first song on my list as the title. but I still was able to upload 8 other songs and I did get e-mail notice that all the songs were successfully uploaded .So anyway that's how I've been doing it for many years. And yes it is like an album in one submission. You are copyrighting both the songs and your recording of them. I don't think proving copyright for any one song takes away your rights as the writer and performer of the other songs . That's something I've never heard before.
Great video, my question is, If you already copyrighted your lyrics prior to making your sound, do you still add your lyrics or do you only have to upload your sound?
The thing is I know some video game music is copyrighted and I have written several melodies for games but don’t have copyright rights to protect my music in case some companies want to use my music. How do I go upon talking to them about the copyright and how would they pay you to use your music?.
Can you submit an audio recording when copyrighting a music composition or does it have to be transcribed into sheet music? (Note: I'm not talking about copyrighting a sound recording, I want to copyright the underlying musical composition. I would like to own the copyright for both the music composition and the sound recording, me being the author of both, but if I were to only copyright the music composition, are you allowed to use a sound recording to do that, or does it have to be transcribed into sheet music?)
@RaineyPrattSongs wrote, “Can you submit an audio recording when copyrighting *[registering]* a music composition or does it have to be transcribed into sheet music?” You should be able to register your music composition via an audio recording. @RaineyPrattSongs wrote, “I would like to own the copyright for both the music composition and the sound recording” *To register ONE musical work:* If you wrote the ENTIRE musical composition YOURSELF (no AI, no sampling, no third-party creative content, no third-party contributors or producers or singers or musicians, no co-authors, not a work-for-hire or corporation or LLC project), you can register it via the $45 “Single Application” or better known as *One Work by One Author.* You also have the option to register ONE music composition AND its corresponding sound-recording in the “One Work by One Author” application. You MUST be the ONLY musician/singer on your sound-recording. After you choose the *One Work by One Author* registration application, you’ll eventually select the *“Work of the Performing Arts”* from the drop down window. If your registering both your music composition AND its sound-recording, select *“Work of the Performing Arts”* from the drop down window. If you don’t qualify for the “One Work by One Author” application,” then use the $65 “Standard Application” to register your ONE work (composition and/or sound-recording). Here’s the USCO’s text tutorial on registering via the “One Work by One Author”: www.copyright.gov/circs/circ11.pdf The US Copyright Office has also placed a “One Work by One Author” video tutorial on UA-cam. In UA-cam’s search box, enter *Single Application: Tutorial (2018)* to watch the link.
Can you make a tutorial for mobile because i have did made a song with Oily Team i want to copy righted because there so much people steal people works
Fredbear XD DC2....??? See if this helps: The fee to register ONE un-/published work (one song or one sound-recording) with one author who’s the same copyright claimant, that’s not a-work-for-hire project, that does not include any third-party creative media, is $45. Use the *“Single Application”* (on-line eCO application): ua-cam.com/video/MkBiPQNDVBc/v-deo.html Otherwise, to register a single un-/published work with multiple authors, and/or as a derivative/collective work, and/or that includes CC, Public Domain, and/or licensed media, etc., the fee is $65. You may be able to record one instrumental composition and its corresponding sound-recording in this application. Use the *“Standard Application”* (on-line eCO application): ua-cam.com/video/6gNkssUfYas/v-deo.html To register a group of up to TEN un-published works of the SAME category type, like visual arts with the one-line *“Group Registration of Unpublished Works” (GRUW)* application. You can also register up to TEN un-published song compositions and their corresponding un-published sound-recordings (up to 20 total) and the fee is $85 total. You can *NOT* include any published works in the GRUW copyright registration application: www.copyright.gov/gruw/ and ua-cam.com/video/eR14iSM4esQ/v-deo.html The Copyright Office has implemented a new group registration option for musical works that are *PUBLISHED* on the same album; the fee is $65 using the *GRAM* copyright registration application. Registrations of these works can be involved. See tutorials www.copyright.gov/gram/ and ua-cam.com/video/PB9o3BKMWpc/v-deo.html
When you upload your song to them do use the .mp3 the wav. or both? Im tearning my hair out over this because the first song I copywrote and released I used both and they sent me an email asking me which one was released first to clear up the confusion and I didn't respond to them in time and now they won't recognize my email as a valid means of communication so I may be fucked and no one is clearing this up at all. Do I upload the MP3 or the WAV?
I have an acquaintance for whom I wrote a song 9 years ago, I used to have the original manuscript but got lost, I have recently written a version of the said song with some of the elements from the original(like the name of the song and parts of the choir) but it plays differently and has more lyrics, up until now he has been giving me credit as the author of the song, however, he had a big gig not long ago where he claimed to be the author of the song, he has not registered the song for copyrights, but he did record it a few months ago, will I be able to register my new song for copyrights and prevent him to take ownership of the original song?
Okay so the entire point of copyrighting something is to provide tangible documentation in regards to when and by who something was created that will hold up in court. Would registering a song through a performance rights organization like BMI or ASCAP not provide reliable evidence for the date and creator of an intellectual property? It doesn’t look like it according to the research I’ve done, but I feel like the idea makes sense.
Charles Cleyn wrote, “I think if you had a reasonable judge in court, then they would recognise this as copyright.” Copyright is a federal issue, not state. If your matter pertains to a (copyright) CONTRACT, a state court may have jurisdiction. However, if your copyright issue is before a federal judge, the judge MUST see your issued-copyright *“Certificate of Registration”* to accept your copyright creation and ownership claims. You help PROVE your copyrights by quickly registering your creative works with the US Copyright Office.
Dwyn Lo wrote, “Would registering a song through a performance rights organization like BMI or ASCAP not provide reliable evidence for the date and creator of an intellectual property?” If you want to obtain the best LEGAL *evidence,* “timely” (quickly) “register” your materials with the US Copyright Office (USCO)! In the US, songwriters (and all other creatives) help *PROVE* their music compositions and/or sound-recording creation and copyright ownership claims to a federal judge by quickly registering their works (NOT *“copyrighting”* - you already have an *automatic* copyright upon creating/affixing the work to a recording, analog or digital) with the USCO, as that grants them *“prime facie evidence” (“presumptive legal proof”).* See 17 USC § 410 (Registration of claim and issuance of certificate) & 17 USC 506(e) (False Representation [Criminal Offenses]). The US copyright registration system is very much a vetting process that helps authenticate your copyright validity. In the US, it’s not the original digital or RAW file that necessarily proves your copyright ownership/creation claims, but rather your issued-copyright Certificate of Registration - that’s US federal law! Creatives and others who *knowingly* include false material information in their copyright registration application are committing a federal offense. Your Certificate will include the date the USCO *”registered”* (not copyrighted) your compositions, and that’s your *presumptive legal proof* of your music creation. It’s unwise to submit your music to one of the PROs without FIRST getting it IMMEDIATELY registered with the USCO.
Yes you would have to have the copyright to collect royalties, essentially making money off the track. You are right in saying that it is publishing so when you release you music, you will have to accept terms that says you own the rights to the music you’re releasing.
So, I need to register it with the library of Congress? If so, do I send them a recording? If so, broadcast quality? Sheet music? Lyric sheet? I appreciate you taking the time with what must seem like very elementary questions
@@darrellhall4175 No problem, happy to help, I'd first suggest watching the video again as I cover these issues but happy to re-iterate here. Basically, you don't need a copyright but you will if you want to 100% officially prove something in court that it is your. If so, you'll need to go to your country copyright office, in the US, it's copyright.gov and copyright your work. It will depend on what info you need to provide to prove its your based on what you're submitting. For examples, songs require an upload of the songs and lyrics I believe.
I want to put some songs on my channel. They are very simple, have no lyrics, and I don't expect them to be popular. I don't want to risk them being taken. I just made them using a simple music app and it would be very easy for someone to make a song very similar using the same loops. Should I get a copyright for them, or just go for it?
But how to protect me when I upload music I created to a UA-cam channel and someone else copyrights it on my video and UA-cam take the money the video makes and transfer it over to the one who copyrighted it (falsely)? What do I have to do before uploading it so UA-cam don't let other big companies copyright my music?
Question! If I want to copyright only the lyrics to a song do I register as a literary work or should I record the song acapella and register as a sound recording?
Well, I don‘t quite agree with your statement. The fact that I‘m writing a song for the first time or like you mentioned, being a beginner songwriter, doesn‘t mean that it might not have the success comparing to an experienced songwriter or musician, right?. I assume you get my point. But I do have a question? Instead of getting a certified copyright on my song and having to pay for it, wouldn‘t it be enough if I date the paper I wrote on? Worst case scenario would be that the court would have to verify the document or am I completely wrong?
Hello I have a question. Once your music is copy written, how can you ensure that when you upload it to UA-cam you won’t get a copyright violation/flag for your own works. In other words, how does UA-cam know that you are the one that has the rights to the song you just uploaded so they don’t accidentally flag YOU.
I have 2 questions 1. What if the song is uploaded on several channel's before you copyright it? what will happen to them after you copyright it? 2. Can you like uncopyright your own music after copyrighting it?
This video is very helpful, but I need to know; as an independent artist, producer and song writer who produces his own music from start to finish, do I select “Sound Recording” or “Work of the Performing Arts”? Again, I produced the whole song and the only samples I used were royalty free and within the DAW itself. Help please
Can you do an update? I’m on this website and everything that looks like a possible navigation link to the registration process is another list of tutorials. The website has been changed since this video. Not finding a more current tutorial.
@44Aroda wrote, “Whats the canadian website link? Or is there a global registry? There is NO “global registry” to register your copyrights! What you see on-line are bogus entities. As of March 2024, it’s CAN$63 to register one creative work with the CIPO (Canadian Intellectual Property Office). Surprisingly, the CIPO does NOT require NOR will they accept your work (music). The CIPO does NOT examine NOR perform any due-diligence of your copyright application. Everything just seems to get rubber-stamped. On the other hand, the US Copyright Office (USCO) actually vets your registration application & deposit to help assure it meets the minimum requirements for a registered copyright. The US copyright registration system is the gold standard. Ideally, register your work with the CIPO and the USCO - That’s your STRONGEST legal protection. If you have limited funds, just register with the USCO. It’s US$45 to register one work. You can also register up to ten *UNpublished* musical works in one application for a total filing fee of US$85. There are also other options to registered published musical works for US$65 You might be able to use your issued US copyright “Certificate of Registration” (that the USCO will mail you) to prove your copyright creation & validity in a Canadian court.
I have a question if we send already the registration but it takes 4-5 months do I need to wait that long to put it on music apps? Thank you and also if I didn’t applaud the lyrics is a problem :/?
What if you want to write music, but not perform it yourself? Could I just copyright the sheet music, or would I need to pay a professional to record my song so there is an audio reference in the copyright database?
This was a tremendously helpful video! I have a question: if we send an album as a copyright rather than each individual song on the album would that cover each song legally and result in a lower cost? Thank you so much!
@@CharlesCleyn when you say register each song separately on the album do you mean that I will have to create a separate application for each song like you would when registering a single song or there’s a way to register each song for the larger bodies of work options?
Do I have to own the best to the song to get it copyrighted? Or can I just add in the name of the person I got the best from ? If so how do I add in the name? & if I purchased a beat from a producer do he have to hand over the copyright?
Hey man! I write songs and would like to offer them to an artist, can I register just the lyrics to protect myself when I show the artist? If they decide to buy the song, do I hand over the copyright paper or am I just selling the rights to USE it?
hey Marc, you technically could go out and get a copyright in every country but from what I know it's okay to have it in just one country. If you're serious about it, maybe ask a lawyer too.
Hey your videos te cool I have a question I’m a little new at this I wanted to use a song from a wwe wrestler his music entrance do you know if that’s possible without UA-cam striking me
"Hello", I live in Canada, and I just wrote a song that I intend to use on a video for my UA-cam channel. I enjoyed your video and found it helpful , but have a question. After I apply for and receive my copyright. How do I ensure that someone doesn't challenge it, based on the fact my song title is the same as theirs? I see the title I used ("My Home Away From Home") on my song ... has been used many times here on videos already. What about song titles, or that line being in the verses? And what about music, because I have to get someone else to create the music for my song. Basically( simple country acoustic)Thank You!
Great video. Thank you for sharing. QQ: What if I have a demo version of a song that i'm not ready to Master yet...if I get a copyright in the demo form does that mean when the song is fully mastered (with no changes to the structure of the song) will I have to get a second copyright once the song has been Mixed/Mastered), thanks again.
I think you’d need 2 copyrights yes because you can think of them as completely different recordings. For my demos I never get them copyrighted if that gives you some piece of mine
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It's my new remix of Astronomia by vicetone and Tony igy it's hardstyle hope you enjoy this
Lil Dex fuh luv
What if we post our songs in facebook immediately after we write it...and then later on release it..doing this even if in case someone has your song copied you will be able to show that you have it posted already...kinda raw version..
How about if your from the Philippines and you registered to Copyright.gov are they able to send me a letter through mail?
nice!
ALERT: Be very careful after you register your works. After registration your works are made 'PUBLIC' which includes your name, title of works, even your address and telephone number. Anyone in the world can see it. A shady person claiming to be from a shady company can call you and state that they are a 'middle man' between the creator and the US Copyright office. They will ask you for hundreds of dollars to 'finish' registering your works! Hang up and if you can report. Contact the Copyright office directly to ask questions. The criminals usually will try to call newly registered creators before the Copyright Office send the official certification. Just a heads up. Peace.
That’s crazy, thanks for the details
thewinter-woah,I thought I was paranoid but now you bring it to another level,
never use your real personal info,
create another email music related only,get an artist named and official it.
But we learn everyday and teach others also.
I just learnt something new by reading you here.
Cheers.
@@stevedamien638 Definitely bro.
By address do you mean location?
So you are telling me that if i make a copyrigth on my song. Then everyone can see my adres name and other stuff?
I was involved in a copyright infringement case in the US. Even though we had all the documentation and everything proving beyond any doubt that it was our work it took 1 1/2 years of fighting a corporation with a lawyer to get paid and we didn't even get paid the full amount. Yes, copyright your music but truth is once somebody steals it is going to be a long and expensive fight to get what was taken from you,
So even after you guys got copyright for your music it was still stolen?
Extra Stuff Extra Stuff Yes. That’s like when somebody is accused of a crime they just don’t throw them in jail, everything has to go through a legal process. We eventually had to sue an ad agency, Macy’s and the individual that stole the music. At that point they paid attention. By the time we got our money it was almost a year and a half.
@@AskenOrbital My music that was stolen was used for broadcast tv and cable only, no internet.
Roman Rojas: Curious, did you *timely* register your music with the US Copyright Office, either BEFORE the copyright infringement started OR within three-months of its first-publication date? Or did you miss that registration window and could only pursue *actual damages* and the infringer/s profits from the unlicensed music usage?
@@cnlicnli The song was actually a remake, a cover of an old Xmas song from Spain. But when you are dealing with an ad agency and you do a job for them there’s all kinds of documents that you have to sign and also emails between the composers and the production team that serves as a paper trail so you can back your claim. We also had dated protools session confirming the date of creation. With all that on our side it was still a fight that took almost one year and a half. In other words, it’s never that simple even when you registerer your song. And lawyers are expensive as well. I highly recommend becoming a member of Volunteer Layers For The Arts if you ever run into trouble.
I totally agree with you and I wrote a great song and someone wanted to remix my song and pretended to be my friend and I allowed them to do that and I didn’t fully understand what they were asking of me to do in return because no contract was sent out to me and they terms were unclear. But now i understand copyrighting all my originals should be my number one priority and so should it be for everyone else to !
I entered a songwriting competition when I was 13 that a record company advertised to win a recording and release in the studio and got told I didn’t get anywhere in it later that year they released my song exactly how it was written the same melody and lyrics it got to 27 in the Uk charts for a few days and then bombed out of the 50s position I’ve written over 1000 songs and petrified to release anything I don’t trust anyone and even if you do take people to court it costs you more in the long run unless the music is a massive hit and also people change the melody slightly and swap a couple of lyrics and loose the case and be in debt!
You are correct
I’m curious about what the song was?
I’m thinking of the future when I’ll need this when I’m famous with my music so it’s good to know now and be rdy
exactly, got to plan for the future!
Same here
Same!
Yup!
Thanks I also subscribed to you
Someone: wants to plagiarize
Copyright: I’m about to end this mans beautiful Sunday afternoon
haha awesome
LMAO-
LMAO LOL
finally something different
Nice one lool
When I make a copyright should I select the type of work as Sound recording, or Work of the arts. I made a song using a free for profit beat.
I think you would be best to go with a sound recording that's what most people copyright their songs as
Charles Cleyn alright thanks, very helpful video👌
@@CharlesCleyn should we pay to makw copyright
Thank you so much Charles! This video was super helpful! I recently created a song with the help and support of my friend and plan to post it on my YT channel. Before posting the song I first wanted to understand what copyright is and how I can use it to protect my music.
Did you copywriter it
I was planning on doing the same thing. Did you upload to UA-cam music, or did you just create a channel and uploaded it there?
Thanks brother! I write songs, but i have no experience or talent for composing or singing the lyrics, this was great help!
Thanks for posting this. I just found it, and up to now, I've only had a "poor man's copyright"...but it was so long ago, I only had them on a cassette! I'd rather go the official route. Appreciate this information. Very straightforward.
The *US Copyright Office* states, “The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is *NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR REGISTRATION* [emphasis added].
Great video to explain in simple terms how to protect one's music . Thanks much Sir Charles!
You're welcome!
Thank you Charles!
My remaining question , Could I upload a rough recording to the website just for a reference and to get the rights , and then when I go to remix/pretty it up, not have to upload and pay another fee for the remix if I already own the rights to the first recording?
Or does a whole new recording of that song have to have a copy right?
Thank you for your time !
It depends on the circumstances and maybe the region as well. This is a question for the copyright office and the music distribution service you intend to use. I would think the short answer is no, as long as the 2 songs are structurally the same. Don't quote me, though. I'm not an expert.
In the UK this is an excerpt directly from the Govt. website.
You get copyright protection automatically - you don’t have to apply or pay a fee. There isn’t a register of copyright works in the UK.
You automatically get copyright protection when you create:
@justjames1111 wrote, “You get [UK] copyright protection automatically - you don’t have to apply or pay a fee. There isn’t a register of copyright works in the UK. You automatically get copyright protection when you create”
That’s the *same* copyright protocol in the US. In fact, the US, UK, EU, and other Berne Convention copyright treaty member countries (about 170 of them) grant an automatic copyright upon creating qualified works of authorship.
BTW, how to you actually (legally) know your UK work is copyrightable?
The US copyright registration system is very much a “vetting” process that helps authenticate your US copyright validity. By timely registering your works, you’re statutorily granted *“presumptive legal proof” (prima facie evidence)* that you created the work and own its corresponding copyright. It’s not the original or RAW file that necessarily proves your copyright ownership claims, as those files and “time-stamping” documents can be faked. On the other hand, it’s tough (impossible???) to fabricate a USCO issued “Certificate of Registration” (that the USCO will mail you), as a backup copy is also stored in the USCO’s on-line Public Catalog database that the public can access & review.
Though international Berne (UK) creatives do NOT have to register their works with the US Copyright Office (USCO) to have “legal standing” to pursue US-based copyright infringers in a US federal court, they, like their American counter-part, can ONLY pursue “actual damages” (typically the missed licensing fee which can be minuscule) and the “disgorgement of unlawful profits” the US infringer made (IF ANY!) + the copyright owner’s attorney fees are NOT available. As a general rule, both actual damages and recoupment of infringer’s profit will typically NOT cover your US attorney fees, making it, too often, un-economical to chase US-based copyright infringers for money damages.
Most all US copyright infringement disputes are resolved out of court via private settlement, as the cost to litigate is ENORMOUS. It’s rare to see a copyright infringement dispute travel all the way to a trial verdict. Having a timely registration in-hand encourages (pushes!) American infringers to settle out of court. If a non-Fair Use copyright infringer chooses not to settle and the copyright owner prevails post trial, the infringer is liable for US$750 to US$30,000 and up to US$150,000 for *WILLFUL* copyright infringement + the copyright owner’s attorney fees & legal costs. To mitigate their legal & financial exposure, most all US copyright infringers who are facing a timely registered copyright claim will want to quickly settle out of court and quietly move on. A timely USCO registration provides both US and international creatives with the necessary *LEVERAGE* to obtain money damages from US copyright infringers.
Joshua Kaufman is a Washington, DC copyright attorney/litigator. In his short UA-cam video, he addresses the economics of NOT timely registering your works: ua-cam.com/video/cBOKkrleY3Y/v-deo.html
I have to believe that a USCO “Certificate of Registration” issued by the US Copyright Office could be used to help prove your own UK copyright validity. I also have to believe that the UK and other Berne courts would respect & honor documents issued by the US Copyright Office, an official United States government entity.
So, if you’re listing, selling, licensing, or sharing/distributing your UK work on US-based platforms, you *really, really* need to have a timely registered copyright to be able to pursue US infringers form money damages and possibly your attorney fees.
*WATERMARKS:* It’s advantageous to also affix your posted works with your copyright attribution (with URL and/or social media handle), a watermark (logo), licensing information, ROBUST metadata, and/or other *“Copyright Management Information”* (CMI). *US-based copyright infringers who knowingly remove, cover-up, or change CMI (watermarks) with AI, Photoshop or any editing software to hide their copyright infringements or induce others to infringed, can be liable for the copyright owner’s actual money damages and profits OR US$2,500 to US$25,000 in statutory damages PLUS attorney fees PLUS legal costs (at the court’s discretion).* A timely registered copyright claim is NOT required to pursue CMI (DMCA) violators.
So, if you choose NOT to timely register your UK works with the USCO, at the very least, affix them with some type of CMI to give you some legal recourse against American infringers.
Question: Do I have to go through the copyright process for every track/beat I make and intend on releasing? Or can I copyright my name and/or work as a whole to where it will cover future stuff as well.
hey chris, you don't have to copyright beats but if they're full songs and it's original you can copyright it if you want.
@@CharlesCleyn if I make an original beat that isn’t made into a song yet, wouldn’t I want to copyright the beat? So ppl can’t just take n use my beats
I just started singing yesterday now I know how to make sure my music doesn't get copied thanks for the video
Do you need copyrights for beats
Yes
The problem is that if your song isn't big...it can get stolen without getting noticed, but for example if kygo released a song and then a month later there's a dude who copied his song it will be obvious...but if you are not well known - it can get stolen by someone bigger, and he'll get the credit
not if you have proof of copyright. That’s why copyright exists. If kygo steals a song you wrote and you can prove it then you can go to battle with them
sadly in my country they asking me to get it played on the radio or they cant help me. its very sad here in Trinidad and Tobago. I would register it in a different country yes
Do I need the letter with the stamp to prove the copyright because here in my country there’s no email office
I don't know for sure, electronic verification might be okay but they send you the official letter in the mail. maybe you can mail it somewhere else to a friend that can hold onto it for you?
Singer, songwriter here too and I appreciate your video! I have copyrighted quite a few songs at one time year ago but am presently doing a refresh! Thanks!
You're welcome Danny :)
great video can u do a video showing the actual upload process of a new song or beat like how u upload the song meaning do they accept one mp4 file and your done ....or do you have to upload other files to prove in depth you made the song meaning more then just a mp4 ect thank you
Good info, thanks. One question, if I post a composition on UA-cam, that’s basically a copyright.. right?. The posting date is there, so I would think that would count for something. Or not?
where do i go for the Australian one
There should be some type of copyright office in Australia, try googling it.
@@CharlesCleyn Okay I will do that, thank you
Thanks for this. I ve revisited this subject over and over since high school.
It's a complex subject for sure
appreciate the help! my first two songs weren't as good as the new bangers im coming out w fr so I need to copyright cuz they going on the radio soon.
That’s wassup bruh!!! Keep pushing!💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Thank you for sharing your knowlegde. I follow it step by step. My orignal song have been submitted. You Rock!
How much?
Very expensive per song and music work.
Are other alternatives
There’s the poor man’s copyright. You know of anything else?
@@CharlesCleyn Yes, that's especially true when it comes to courts.
And protect copyrights costs a lot,
a lot of money.
I composed for well-known bands, composers.
Against cash money.
Just like we do to this day
many almost all producers.
Gather a group of
composers but
only one name and that very well known,
may be.
Especially in film production
well
Only if musician, composer is or was
music computer scientist, programmer,
can encode not only meta data.
No. That's easy.
With audio, with WAV you can own
Insert stamp, own code.
Then simply copy and use as proof,
simply complain about gross fraud,
Report fraud, theft etc. (in EU)
at police.
Apply for forensic reports analysis & preservation of evidence.
As in criminal case?
Yes.
If you only got the lyrics but no melody or soundtrack yet, do you upload as literary work or Performing arts?
Ariadna Rosales wrote, “If you only got the lyrics but no melody or soundtrack yet, do you upload as literary work or Performing arts?”
I would register your lyrics as a literary work: copyright.gov/registration/literary-works/
How much per song on avg to copyright in the US. Thanks.
Hey charles .I like your video
I live in the USA but my songs are written in Spanish
Will be same procedure for me ?
Thanks for this Charles, great video, you and Dean's (the songwriting studio's) videos are my fave.❤
Thanks a lot fire bird :)
@@CharlesCleyn You're welcome!👍❤️
Hey this was pretty useful. I just wanted to ask you a question though. I make beats for fun and I think they are pretty sick and I was just wondering, if I wanted to turn my beats into a reality and send my beats to famous artists, before I send it to those artists should I get an official copyright document for my beats or after I send the beats to the famous artists and if they end up using my beat which is unlikely will they do the copyright for the song and the beat?
That's a great question John. For beats specifically I'm not so familiar with. Let's say you made beat for a famous artist I think they would probably prefer to pay you out outright for the beat for a fixed fee or they could consider giving you a split on the publishing or master rights of the song. Are you on beat stars or another platform selling your beats already?
You can't copyright a beat as a composition, you can only copyright the recording itself so nobody can steal your recording. Anyone can use a beat, it doesn't belong to anyone. The only exception would be if it was something extremely unusual.
Should I release the song, then copyright it, or copyright it, then release it?
Always straight to the point. Thanks bro 🙌🏼
you're welcome!
Can I copyright an album before I release it? I've heard that if you copyright something when it's unpublished, then you have to get another copyright for it when it is published, but to me this doesn't make any sense because if you release something and then copyright it after, somebody could steal it, which defeats the purpose of copyrighting it in the first place.
I've never heard of that either. You are copyrighting material, not the release date. So the material doesn't change when you release it.
Cubesandoldstuff wrote, “Can I copyright [register!] an album before I release it?
Yes, you can. I timely register my photographs as a group of *UNpublished* images in a single eCO (on-line) copyright registration application with the US Copyright Office (USCO), as that option better fits my workflow. I’ll wait at least two-days BEFORE I post (publish) any of those UNpublished photographs to the web or my social media sites (to sell, share, license, etc.) -- you can *NOT* register an unpublished work, say on June 2nd, and then “publish” it (sell or share it) on that very SAME day!
You can also register your works as being “published.” You could post them on-line for sale or licensing or sharing, but quickly register them as a “published” work with the USCO, and do it no later than within three-months of its first day of publication.
Cubesandoldstuff wrote, “I've heard that if you copyright [register!] something when it's unpublished, then you have to get another copyright for it when it is published”
No that’s incorrect. Once you register an UNpublished work with the USCO, you do NOT have to register it when it gets officially published (when you start selling, licensing, sharing, etc. to the public). If, however, you’ve changed the unpublished registered work by adding new creative material to it, you should register this “derivative” (new) work with the USCO.
In the US, when you timely register your copyrights (here before publication or within five-years of first-publication), you’re granted *“presumptive legal proof”* that that you have a valid registered copyright claim AND that all the information included in your (on-line) copyright registration application will also be deem to valid - a US federal judge needs to see your issued copyright “Certificate of Registration” BEFORE you can file suit in federal court. *You help PROVE your copyright creation and its authorship by quickly registering it with the USCO* !
Use the *“Group Registration of Unpublished Works”* to register a “group” of up to TEN *UNpublished* creative works of the same medium type (like ten music compositions and its corresponding sound recordings); the total fee is $85 (not $85 for each work) (do NOT use this application to register photographs): ua-cam.com/video/eR14iSM4esQ/v-deo.html
To register ONE un-/published creative work (music) (“Single Application”) with one author who’s the same copyright claimant, that’s NOT a Work-For-Hire project, with no third-party creative media included, is $45 total fee: ua-cam.com/video/MkBiPQNDVBc/v-deo.html . Otherwise, to register ONE work (“Standard Application”) with joint-authors and/or Creative Commons, Public Domain, and/or licensed media, or is part of a work-for-hire project, the fee is $65: ua-cam.com/video/6gNkssUfYas/v-deo.html
*If you music is being infringed (stolen), do NOT ask UA-cam, Facebook, and other social media sites for legal advice - most all of it is wrong! Get a copyright attorney to help protect your music compositions and sound recordings* . Joshua Kauffman, copyright attorney expert, explains why you and other creatives should (timely) register your copyrights: ua-cam.com/video/cBOKkrleY3Y/v-deo.html
*Copyright Registration Info & Tips*
-- Copyright Registration: ua-cam.com/video/mM5fs2TCMKs/v-deo.html
-- Submitting Your Work to the USCO: ua-cam.com/video/0w29otj5s6Y/v-deo.html
-- USCO Registration Portal: www.copyright.gov/registration/
-- USCO FAQ: www.copyright.gov/help/faq/index.html
-- US Ccpyright law basics: www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
--Contact (email) the US Copyright Office for assistance (might take five-days or longer to receive a reply): www.copyright.gov/help/
You can also call the USCO, but your wait-time can be long: (202) 707-3000 or 1 (877) 476-0778.
Hey Charles! Amazingly helpful video. Question: right now all I have is a few songs written (not recorded) that I'd like to be on my first album. Should I copyright the lyrics and then record the actual songs or wait to copyright until I have the songs recorded?
Hey Penny, my personal suggestion would be to wait until you have the songs + lyrics, that way you can copyright both.
As a Canadian do you use the Canadian or American copyright website or does it even matter which one to use? The reason I ask is because I am a Canadian also and it seems to me that the American website is way easier to use.
Thank you! Straight to the point. I love that! I’m now a new subscriber.
Thanks for subbing!!
In theory if you upload your original song via soundcloud, youtube, or other platform you are also copyrighting your music there. You can see the upload date which is proof that you were the first to upload your particular song. Right?
That’s what I’m saying but I’m not sure I wish I knew for sure
So how do you send it in . Do you type or send in the writing work
Is it a one time payment for the copyright?? Or do you have to pay monthly/yearly to keep the license ?
Can you copyright a whole cd or do you have to do each individual song
i want to copyright a song but I used an lease beat . So do I just upload the vocal track?
do you have the rights on the beat that you leased? if so then you can copyright your whole song
I was wondering- if I made my song, then uploaded it onto UA-cam, would that be proof that I had made it o the date of that upload?
I hope so.
Valentino Kitchen wrote, “…if I made my song, then uploaded it onto UA-cam, would that be proof that I had made it o the date of that upload?”
Probably not. Your evidence of your song creation, or mailed CD to yourself in a SASE, or using your computer email to time-stamp your musical creation, or the date of your UA-cam upload will typically not hold up in federal court, as that evidence can easily be manipulated (faked). Those recording actions are *NOT* substitutes to *officially registering your songs with the US Copyright Office (USCO).*
To be fully protected by copyright law against copyright infringers, you MUST *“timely”* register your music copyrights with the USCO.
In the US, creatives help PROVE their copyright creation and copyright ownership claims to a federal judge by quickly registering their works with the USCO (registered as an unpublished work or registered within five-years of first-publication), as this statutorily grants them “prime facie evidence” (“presumptive legal proof”). See 17 USC § 410 (Registration of claim and issuance of certificate & 17 USC 506(e): False Representation [Criminal Offenses]).
The US copyright registration system is very much a vetting process to help authenticate your copyright validity. It’s not necessarily about having a RAW or original file that proves your copyright creation - a US federal judge MUST see your ISSUED copyright “Certificate of Registration” (or its refusal) to have “legal standing” (the right to sue copyright infringers). Your Certificate will include your “effective date of registration,” the official US government date stamp.
*If you register more quickly, you get additional legal benefits.* If your non-Fair Use infringed work was *“timely”* registered with the USCO, here either BEFORE the infringement began OR registered WITHIN three-months of its first-date of publication, you can pursue statutory damages ($750 to $30,000 and up to $150,000 for willful copyright infringement) and attorney fees against the infringer (the infringer may have to pay your attorney fees and legal cost post trial). See 17 USC § 412 (Registration as prerequisite to certain remedies for infringement).
If you miss either of these two very time-sensitive windows to register, you can ONLY pursue “actual damages,” typically the missed licensing fee (usually what you would have charged), and the disgorgement of profits the infringer made (if any!) from reproducing your music. Importantly, you’re responsible for your attorney fees and other legal costs! As a rule, any money damages received from an out-of-court settlement or via trial verdict will NOT cover your attorney fees, making it, too often, *uneconomical to pursue copyright infringers without having a timely registered copyright in-hand.*
Watch JUST the first 20-seconds of Joshua Kaufman’s copyright video tutorial to understand why you have to timely register your copyrights: ua-cam.com/video/cBOKkrleY3Y/v-deo.html
Thanks for the information. What about the electronic music like playing 1 hour on youtube live? Should I register the live improvising music? Is it possible? Also I make short youtube intro music by myself, then I noticed people seemed to copy a little bit of it. How do I prevent it?
The best bet is to copyright your music as a Sound Recording . That way you can get an album full of songs copyrighted on one application. If you write a lot of songs, you will spend a fortune copyrighting them one at a time . So doing the Sound Recording will copyright a bunch of songs at once. I've done as many as 10 songs on one application and then at the end of the process you can upload mp3's to complete the copyright. I don't know if there is a set limit on the number of songs per one application but I know I've done at least 10.
Isn't the "seal" broken when you have to prove your the copyright holder for one of those 10 songs ? I heard that copyright for the rest of the album will be useless or is that bs? The album is bundled into one submission right?
@@oggfish Well all the songs are uploaded and accepted by the copyright office so you have a notice from the office with the name of each of the songs you uploaded. I used to put Collection of Songs in the title and took credit for arranging them writing and singing them . I just copyrighted another bunch of songs a month ago. It was a little different then a couple years ago as I felt I had to use the first song on my list as the title. but I still was able to upload 8 other songs and I did get e-mail notice that all the songs were successfully uploaded .So anyway that's how I've been doing it for many years. And yes it is like an album in one submission. You are copyrighting both the songs and your recording of them. I don't think proving copyright for any one song takes away your rights as the writer and performer of the other songs . That's something I've never heard before.
I don't see an option to upload the actual song anywhere (or lyrics). Just the titles. Any help? This is for works off an album.
how much is fee ?
I made some music and got copied righted on UA-cam so I just took it down I think someone might have stolen my song
Can you upload a sound file or does it have to be sheet music
Great video, my question is, If you already copyrighted your lyrics prior to making your sound, do you still add your lyrics or do you only have to upload your sound?
How can I register the copyright so that youtube blocks any videos that contain the original work?
The thing is I know some video game music is copyrighted and I have written several melodies for games but don’t have copyright rights to protect my music in case some companies want to use my music. How do I go upon talking to them about the copyright and how would they pay you to use your music?.
hey man, that's a tough one, im not sure too. I'd try to contact them directly and get a conversation going
How do you feel about cosynd? The cd baby partner? Or is it just easy enough to do it yourself through government website
Can you submit an audio recording when copyrighting a music composition or does it have to be transcribed into sheet music? (Note: I'm not talking about copyrighting a sound recording, I want to copyright the underlying musical composition. I would like to own the copyright for both the music composition and the sound recording, me being the author of both, but if I were to only copyright the music composition, are you allowed to use a sound recording to do that, or does it have to be transcribed into sheet music?)
@RaineyPrattSongs wrote, “Can you submit an audio recording when copyrighting *[registering]* a music composition or does it have to be transcribed into sheet music?”
You should be able to register your music composition via an audio recording.
@RaineyPrattSongs wrote, “I would like to own the copyright for both the music composition and the sound recording”
*To register ONE musical work:* If you wrote the ENTIRE musical composition YOURSELF (no AI, no sampling, no third-party creative content, no third-party contributors or producers or singers or musicians, no co-authors, not a work-for-hire or corporation or LLC project), you can register it via the $45 “Single Application” or better known as *One Work by One Author.*
You also have the option to register ONE music composition AND its corresponding sound-recording in the “One Work by One Author” application. You MUST be the ONLY musician/singer on your sound-recording.
After you choose the *One Work by One Author* registration application, you’ll eventually select the *“Work of the Performing Arts”* from the drop down window. If your registering both your music composition AND its sound-recording, select *“Work of the Performing Arts”* from the drop down window.
If you don’t qualify for the “One Work by One Author” application,” then use the $65 “Standard Application” to register your ONE work (composition and/or sound-recording).
Here’s the USCO’s text tutorial on registering via the “One Work by One Author”: www.copyright.gov/circs/circ11.pdf
The US Copyright Office has also placed a “One Work by One Author” video tutorial on UA-cam. In UA-cam’s search box, enter *Single Application: Tutorial (2018)* to watch the link.
whats is the difference between this office and BMI?
Is it an option to copyright an album rather than copyright individual songs?
Yes there is
Question
I leased a beat.
Copyrighted .
Then put it on bmi.
Them discrokid .
Then soundextange and songtrust.
Is that about right ?
Can you make a tutorial for mobile because i have did made a song with Oily Team i want to copy righted because there so much people steal people works
Fredbear XD DC2....??? See if this helps:
The fee to register ONE un-/published work (one song or one sound-recording) with one author who’s the same copyright claimant, that’s not a-work-for-hire project, that does not include any third-party creative media, is $45. Use the *“Single Application”* (on-line eCO application): ua-cam.com/video/MkBiPQNDVBc/v-deo.html
Otherwise, to register a single un-/published work with multiple authors, and/or as a derivative/collective work, and/or that includes CC, Public Domain, and/or licensed media, etc., the fee is $65. You may be able to record one instrumental composition and its corresponding sound-recording in this application. Use the *“Standard Application”* (on-line eCO application): ua-cam.com/video/6gNkssUfYas/v-deo.html
To register a group of up to TEN un-published works of the SAME category type, like visual arts with the one-line *“Group Registration of Unpublished Works” (GRUW)* application. You can also register up to TEN un-published song compositions and their corresponding un-published sound-recordings (up to 20 total) and the fee is $85 total. You can *NOT* include any published works in the GRUW copyright registration application: www.copyright.gov/gruw/ and ua-cam.com/video/eR14iSM4esQ/v-deo.html
The Copyright Office has implemented a new group registration option for musical works that are *PUBLISHED* on the same album; the fee is $65 using the *GRAM* copyright registration application. Registrations of these works can be involved. See tutorials www.copyright.gov/gram/ and ua-cam.com/video/PB9o3BKMWpc/v-deo.html
When you upload your song to them do use the .mp3 the wav. or both? Im tearning my hair out over this because the first song I copywrote and released I used both and they sent me an email asking me which one was released first to clear up the confusion and I didn't respond to them in time and now they won't recognize my email as a valid means of communication so I may be fucked and no one is clearing this up at all. Do I upload the MP3 or the WAV?
I have an acquaintance for whom I wrote a song 9 years ago, I used to have the original manuscript but got lost, I have recently written a version of the said song with some of the elements from the original(like the name of the song and parts of the choir) but it plays differently and has more lyrics, up until now he has been giving me credit as the author of the song, however, he had a big gig not long ago where he claimed to be the author of the song, he has not registered the song for copyrights, but he did record it a few months ago, will I be able to register my new song for copyrights and prevent him to take ownership of the original song?
Thank you! Very helpful
Okay so the entire point of copyrighting something is to provide tangible documentation in regards to when and by who something was created that will hold up in court. Would registering a song through a performance rights organization like BMI or ASCAP not provide reliable evidence for the date and creator of an intellectual property? It doesn’t look like it according to the research I’ve done, but I feel like the idea makes sense.
I agree and I think k the idea makes sense too. I think if you had a reasonable judge in court, then they would recognise this as copyright.
Charles Cleyn wrote, “I think if you had a reasonable judge in court, then they would recognise this as copyright.”
Copyright is a federal issue, not state. If your matter pertains to a (copyright) CONTRACT, a state court may have jurisdiction. However, if your copyright issue is before a federal judge, the judge MUST see your issued-copyright *“Certificate of Registration”* to accept your copyright creation and ownership claims.
You help PROVE your copyrights by quickly registering your creative works with the US Copyright Office.
Dwyn Lo wrote, “Would registering a song through a performance rights organization like BMI or ASCAP not provide reliable evidence for the date and creator of an intellectual property?”
If you want to obtain the best LEGAL *evidence,* “timely” (quickly) “register” your materials with the US Copyright Office (USCO)!
In the US, songwriters (and all other creatives) help *PROVE* their music compositions and/or sound-recording creation and copyright ownership claims to a federal judge by quickly registering their works (NOT *“copyrighting”* - you already have an *automatic* copyright upon creating/affixing the work to a recording, analog or digital) with the USCO, as that grants them *“prime facie evidence” (“presumptive legal proof”).* See 17 USC § 410 (Registration of claim and issuance of certificate) & 17 USC 506(e) (False Representation [Criminal Offenses]).
The US copyright registration system is very much a vetting process that helps authenticate your copyright validity. In the US, it’s not the original digital or RAW file that necessarily proves your copyright ownership/creation claims, but rather your issued-copyright Certificate of Registration - that’s US federal law!
Creatives and others who *knowingly* include false material information in their copyright registration application are committing a federal offense.
Your Certificate will include the date the USCO *”registered”* (not copyrighted) your compositions, and that’s your *presumptive legal proof* of your music creation.
It’s unwise to submit your music to one of the PROs without FIRST getting it IMMEDIATELY registered with the USCO.
HOw about if you a Canadian citizen?
Thanx my boa I’m about to do that right now! You explained the process simple and plain💯
What if you are the writer and out of the blue someone craftily register your song in their own is there anyway we can retrieve the ownership.
Do I have to have the legal copyright in order to collect any royalties, or is that covered in publishing?
Yes you would have to have the copyright to collect royalties, essentially making money off the track. You are right in saying that it is publishing so when you release you music, you will have to accept terms that says you own the rights to the music you’re releasing.
So, I need to register it with the library of Congress? If so, do I send them a recording? If so, broadcast quality? Sheet music? Lyric sheet? I appreciate you taking the time with what must seem like very elementary questions
@@darrellhall4175 No problem, happy to help, I'd first suggest watching the video again as I cover these issues but happy to re-iterate here. Basically, you don't need a copyright but you will if you want to 100% officially prove something in court that it is your. If so, you'll need to go to your country copyright office, in the US, it's copyright.gov and copyright your work. It will depend on what info you need to provide to prove its your based on what you're submitting. For examples, songs require an upload of the songs and lyrics I believe.
Can a song be registered for copyright by its publisher?
Yes I believe so
I want to put some songs on my channel. They are very simple, have no lyrics, and I don't expect them to be popular. I don't want to risk them being taken. I just made them using a simple music app and it would be very easy for someone to make a song very similar using the same loops. Should I get a copyright for them, or just go for it?
But how to protect me when I upload music I created to a UA-cam channel and someone else copyrights it on my video and UA-cam take the money the video makes and transfer it over to the one who copyrighted it (falsely)? What do I have to do before uploading it so UA-cam don't let other big companies copyright my music?
Can you register multiple songs at the same time
Question! If I want to copyright only the lyrics to a song do I register as a literary work or should I record the song acapella and register as a sound recording?
If you have only lyrics to copyright then submit the lyrics under literary.
thanks Em!
Well, I don‘t quite agree with your statement. The fact that I‘m writing a song for the first time or like you mentioned, being a beginner songwriter, doesn‘t mean that it might not have the success comparing to an experienced songwriter or musician, right?. I assume you get my point. But I do have a question? Instead of getting a certified copyright on my song and having to pay for it, wouldn‘t it be enough if I date the paper I wrote on? Worst case scenario would be that the court would have to verify the document or am I completely wrong?
Can I just copyright my lyrics only does it have to be added into a song or beat
Hello I have a question. Once your music is copy written, how can you ensure that when you upload it to UA-cam you won’t get a copyright violation/flag for your own works. In other words, how does UA-cam know that you are the one that has the rights to the song you just uploaded so they don’t accidentally flag YOU.
Can u get it copyright in two different countries?( Eg: Jamaica & America)
You can register your copyrights in multiple countries. If you have to choose only one country, I'd select the US.
@@cnlicnli thanks
I have 2 questions
1. What if the song is uploaded on several channel's before you copyright it? what will happen to them after you copyright it?
2. Can you like uncopyright your own music after copyrighting it?
you can copyright at anytime and yes I believe you can take your copyright down from the site but there won’t be any refund
If you copyright in your own country, does it apply worldwide or would you have to register in multiple countries?
do i need to copyrioght each song or should I just wait to make a whole album n copyright the album?
Thank you so much for making this video. If you don't mind me asking, do you have a separate artist channel that you use for your releases? Thank you.
thanks a lot man, here's me on spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/3tvwYw8w04X8iwpZ2oOWSO?si=1AnjnL9fRvuiKqO4VUB01g
This video is very helpful, but I need to know; as an independent artist, producer and song writer who produces his own music from start to finish, do I select “Sound Recording” or “Work of the Performing Arts”? Again, I produced the whole song and the only samples I used were royalty free and within the DAW itself. Help please
You can choose Sound Recording and you should be good to go
Can you do an update? I’m on this website and everything that looks like a possible navigation link to the registration process is another list of tutorials.
The website has been changed since this video. Not finding a more current tutorial.
Whats the canadian website link? Or is there a global registry? Thanks
@44Aroda wrote, “Whats the canadian website link? Or is there a global registry?
There is NO “global registry” to register your copyrights! What you see on-line are bogus entities.
As of March 2024, it’s CAN$63 to register one creative work with the CIPO (Canadian Intellectual Property Office). Surprisingly, the CIPO does NOT require NOR will they accept your work (music). The CIPO does NOT examine NOR perform any due-diligence of your copyright application. Everything just seems to get rubber-stamped.
On the other hand, the US Copyright Office (USCO) actually vets your registration application & deposit to help assure it meets the minimum requirements for a registered copyright. The US copyright registration system is the gold standard.
Ideally, register your work with the CIPO and the USCO - That’s your STRONGEST legal protection.
If you have limited funds, just register with the USCO. It’s US$45 to register one work. You can also register up to ten *UNpublished* musical works in one application for a total filing fee of US$85. There are also other options to registered published musical works for US$65
You might be able to use your issued US copyright “Certificate of Registration” (that the USCO will mail you) to prove your copyright creation & validity in a Canadian court.
would I have to buy the exclusive rights to the instrumentation before copyrighting it?
I have a question if we send already the registration but it takes 4-5 months do I need to wait that long to put it on music apps? Thank you and also if I didn’t applaud the lyrics is a problem :/?
Hey Diego, it’s a personal choice. You can wait if you’re more comfortable but you can also just go ahead with it.
What if you want to write music, but not perform it yourself? Could I just copyright the sheet music, or would I need to pay a professional to record my song so there is an audio reference in the copyright database?
What if for example I develop music for a game that I cant just post online? How can I get the automatic free copyright ?
This was a tremendously helpful video! I have a question: if we send an album as a copyright rather than each individual song on the album would that cover each song legally and result in a lower cost? Thank you so much!
You would have to copyright each song separately under the album but yes I believe there is a small discount depending on how big your album is.
@@CharlesCleyn Thank you so much!! :D
@@CharlesCleyn when you say register each song separately on the album do you mean that I will have to create a separate application for each song like you would when registering a single song or there’s a way to register each song for the larger bodies of work options?
@@RobbieNewell I have been told up to 10 songs on 1 application for $65, (for US copyright )this was changed very recently
Do I have to own the best to the song to get it copyrighted? Or can I just add in the name of the person I got the best from ? If so how do I add in the name? & if I purchased a beat from a producer do he have to hand over the copyright?
Hey man! I write songs and would like to offer them to an artist, can I register just the lyrics to protect myself when I show the artist? If they decide to buy the song, do I hand over the copyright paper or am I just selling the rights to USE it?
Thank you for this video. Question: Would it be a good practice to request a copyright in many countries (Canada, US, etc.)?
hey Marc, you technically could go out and get a copyright in every country but from what I know it's okay to have it in just one country. If you're serious about it, maybe ask a lawyer too.
Thank you Chales.
Hey your videos te cool I have a question I’m a little new at this I wanted to use a song from a wwe wrestler his music entrance do you know if that’s possible without UA-cam striking me
Is my new work protected when I download it to You tube or Facebook or X? Wouldn't it prove my ownership?
"Hello", I live in Canada, and I just wrote a song that I intend to use on a video for my UA-cam channel. I enjoyed your video and found it helpful , but have a question. After I apply for and receive my copyright. How do I ensure that someone doesn't challenge it, based on the fact my song title is the same as theirs? I see the title I used ("My Home Away From Home") on my song ... has been used many times here on videos already. What about song titles, or that line being in the verses? And what about music, because I have to get someone else to create the music for my song. Basically( simple country acoustic)Thank You!
How do you copywrite your music if you leased the beat?
Great video. Thank you for sharing. QQ: What if I have a demo version of a song that i'm not ready to Master yet...if I get a copyright in the demo form does that mean when the song is fully mastered (with no changes to the structure of the song) will I have to get a second copyright once the song has been Mixed/Mastered), thanks again.
I think you’d need 2 copyrights yes because you can think of them as completely different recordings. For my demos I never get them copyrighted if that gives you some piece of mine
What if the song is unfinished but you uploaded a snippet to Instagram is that considered copyright ?
I believe anything you put even a small amount is copyright as soon as you put it out
What if i just upload it to youtube ?
Should be okay but I don't think it would hold up in court but then again... will you go to court?