How to Register Your Music Copyright Electronically: Music Copyrights Step-by-Step
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- (89) Learn the basics of music copyrights and join me as I guide you through the step-by-step process for registering your music copyrights electronically using the United States Copyright Office website. You can follow along as I explain each step, and learn about the two types of music copyright and registration.
#copyright #copyrightregistration #music
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This Channel provides ideas and education for Entrepreneurs and other Creative Visionaries. Topics in these videos include intellectual property, patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, and general business practices.
John Ferrell is a founder and patent attorney at the Silicon Valley law firm of Carr & Ferrell. The author of two books and a growing UA-cam channel on Intellectual Property, John’s passion for creating and protecting intellectual property is reflected in his representation of many of the world’s most important companies and inventors - some 5,000 so far. Founded in 1992, Carr & Ferrell has filed more than 10,000 patent applications covering nearly every imaginable technology.
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I created a couple of background music using AI (SUNO) but did not reference any labels neither did I directly copy or upload an existing music to the software. The music generated were generated based on the prompt I gave the software that focuses on emotions and experience for youtube content creators. First how can I check to ensure that the music does not have copyright infridgement and how can I protect myself from future alligations even though the AI software company guarantees 100% copyright free upon subscription to their service?
@@ayooluwacoker6725 I do not know of any services that provide a plagiarism detector for music. You might look into MIPPIA, but the reviews are mixed. Spotify filed for a patent in 2020 on an AI tool that helps songwriters detect plagiarism, but I am not sure if they have actually implemented the tool.
There are some creative methods to try to detect plagiarism, such as uploading the song to UA-cam or Spotify and seeing if their detection algorithms claim anything. If the song has lyrics, uploading the lyrics to Grammarly and using it’s plagiarism detector. You could also use Musipedia’s “name that tune” feature to see if it believes the melody sound like an existing melody. Note, however, that these methods are not 100%.
‘Hope this helps. Warmest wishes, -john
If you paid for producer to create your song (sound recording) do you have to list them as an author if you have full ownership? and if they are listed as author does this mean they are a copyright owner or only if they are listed as a claimant
@@MusicAye Music producers should alway work under a written contract that both assigns any and all rights and works in their production and also stipulates that any authorship by the producer is a work made for hire. See this video:
ua-cam.com/video/gj4-idkammY/v-deo.html
Warmest regards, -john
John,
Thank you again for explaining the mystery and mystique of song copyrighting. I was able to use your youtube video as a template to guide me through the process.
The additional information you provided was of great help. "Lux Fiat" you are indeed a keeper of the flame who is guiding us from the darkness to the light.
Cheers mate,
Thank you for the kind comment. I am so happy that you are finding these videos useful. I am curious what other types of videos you watch. Are there other creator topics I could address that you would be interested in watching? Warmest wishes, -john
This is a great tutorial ! Very clear, concise, organized, and point to point regarding electronic submission of copyright! This info is a godsend for folks who are just starting to understand how and why to submit a copyright. Please listen and just don't point and click quickly , understand the concept and BENEFITS, protection of why copyrights protect creators. Also, check his video for "work for hire" for more depth of a copyright. Thanks John !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your comment. I am so grateful to have you on my channel. Warmest wishes. 😊 -john
Great information! Thank you!!!
Thank you for liking, subscribing and leaving your comment! Please let me know if you would like to suggest another video. Warm wishes. -john
This video is great, thank you! I have a question about copyright registration for a song to hire a freelance.
Here's my situation: I'm creating a song with an instrumental base. I plan to initially record the vocals with a flute as a placeholder. Later, I want to hire a freelance singer to record the final vocals.
To protect my song, I understand I need to register the copyright. Can I register the song with the flute and then update the registration after the freelance singer records the new version? How does this process work with the US Copyright Office?
Hi Alex, the music registration would be the same; just include the lyrics when you upload the sheet music. Since you will be protecting two different performance recordings, you will need to file a new performance registration when you re-record the song with vocals. Thank you so much for watching my video and leaving your comment. I am very grateful to have you here 😊 -john
very helpful and extremely good vibes! Thanks!!
Thank you for the kind comment. I am so happy that you are finding these videos useful. I am curious what other types of videos you watch. Are there other entrepreneur topics I could address that you would be interested in watching? Warmest regards, -john
Thank you for this most excellent and informative video..."TWO THUMBS UP".
I have the following questions:
1. Does the electronic copyright form offer any provision for pseudonym registration?
2. The older "PA" copyright form allowed song ownership to be transferred to your publishing company "By Assignment".
Is that option still available with electronic registration?
3. Approximately how long does it take The Library Of Congress to process your electronic copyright registration form?
Cheers mate,
Thank you so much for watching my video and leaving your comment. I am very grateful to have you here 😊
Answers to your questions:
1. Does the electronic copyright form offer any provision for pseudonym registration?
Yes, the electronic form allows a pseudonym to be used when registering a claim to copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. Only check the Pseudonymous box if the pseudonym, not the author’s real name, appears on the copies or phonorecords, including the copyright notice. Note that the name of a performing group is not a pseudonym.
2. The older "PA" copyright form allowed song ownership to be transferred to your publishing company "By Assignment". Is that option still available with electronic registration?
The electronic form allows you to register a claimant who is not an author of the work. If a claimant is not an author, the registration must include a transfer statement showing how the claimant obtained the copyright. If the publishing company obtained the copyright by assignment, then the publishing company may be named a claimant by “By written agreement.” Note, however, that the electronic copyright registration form does not create or constitute an assignment. The assignment must be executed separately.
3. Approximately how long does it take The Library of Congress to process your electronic copyright registration form?
According to the Copyright Office, the current average processing time for all claims is 2.1 months. Most claims are processed in 1.2 to 3.5 months. The Copyright Office publishes up-to-date processing time data on its website at Registration Processing Times (copyright.gov).
@@johnferrellesq. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge and information...Cheers mate
Hi John, great video on the process of copyrighting. I registered one of my most recent song under both types (performance and sound recording). But then I noticed that my first one was only performance only, on which I submitted the MP3 and lyrics PDF. If I'm the sole author of music, lyrics and arrangement, should I use both types of registration? I want to be protected before placing on streaming services. Thanks
Yes, you should also register the music composition in the first song as well. Thank you for your comment. I am so grateful to have you on my channel. Please subscribe if you haven’t done so already. Warmest wishes. 😊 -john
Thank you for your video… It was extremely helpful. Question; I have about 150 songs that I want to release to performing artist.
Can I copyright multiple songs at a time (like an album of 12 or 15 songs) with the same registration, or does it need to be one by one?
You can register album by album and save a lot of money, registering multiple works using a single registration and fee. Go to 6:40 in the video. 'Hope this helps. Warmest wishes, -john
Thank you so much. Yes, I found that option. Thank you for your response!
John, I don't mean to impose on your kindness: however, I have one further question. I did a google search of my name and found that there is a musical celebrity who has incorporated my name into his stage name.
To avoid any conflict down the road, I have elected to use a pseudonym as the author name of several new songs I have created. Would the box under "NOTE TO COPYRIGHT OFFICE" at the bottom "CERTIFICATION" page (13.02 min of your video) be where I could say that (e.g.)"Starboy"" and "John Doe" are the same person?
Thanks again for the informative and thought-provoking video presentation.
If you have selected to use a pseudonym as the author (refer to video at 9:43), you will include that in the Author section when registering. Please see the link to the United States Copyright Office, specifically page 2, which shows when and how to use a pseudonym when registering (copyright.gov/circs/circ32.pdf). The answer will depend on whether you are submitting your work as a pseudonymous work. I hope this helps you! -john
I am glad I found your video. Your instructions were clear and to the point without fluff. I truly appreciate it. I have been dabbling in AI for music in which I own the rights to after purchasing a paid plan through the service I use. I have always wanted to be a musician but never had the talent or patience. I uploaded 8 pieces of work this morning without issue and minimal costs instead of adding all each one at a time.
That is so great to hear. I am glad my videos are helpful. Do you have a link to your music that you could post here so that we can listen to your music? Warmest wishes, -john
Thanks for the video. It´s enought to present the lirycs, the chord chart and the recording, without the score of the melody? Would the melody recorded be protected by copyright only with audio? Thanks!
Question: It’s enough to present the lyrics, the chord chart and the recording, without the score of the melody? Would the melody recorded be protected by copyright only with audio?
If you register a musical work consisting of lyrics and a chord chart, your copyright will protect only the lyrics and chord arrangement. If the registered work does not contain the melody, the melody would not be protected by that registration. If the sound recording of the musical work contains a performance of the melody, copyright will protect that recording of the melody. However, the musical composition underlying the recorded melody would not be protected by the sound recording’s copyright registration. If you register a musical composition with no melody, you should register the melody as a separate composition or consult with a copyright attorney.
Question: I did a google search of my name and found that there is a musical celebrity who has incorporated my name into his stage name. To avoid any conflict down the road, I have elected to use a pseudonym as the author name of several new songs I have created. Would the box under "NOTE TO COPYRIGHT OFFICE" at the bottom "CERTIFICATION" page (13.02 min of your video) be where I could say that (e.g.)"Starboy"" and "John Doe" are the same person?
No, you do not need to enter a “Note to Copyright Office.” If you are registering a pseudonymous work but wish to reveal the author’s real name, you should enter the author’s full name in the Individual Author field in addition to checking the box marked Pseudonymous and completing the Pseudonym field. If you have registered the work as pseudonymous and revealed your real name in the Individual Author field, then you should sign the Certification field with your real name. However, if you have not revealed your real name anywhere in the application, you may sign the Certification with your pseudonym. A musician who works full-time under a professional pseudonym should work closely with copyright counsel when producing pseudonymous material for commercial sale.
Warmest regards, -john
Thanks John!
Hello! What is the difference between Sound recording and Work of the Performing Arts? Actually both suitable for music track?. If the track is written in DAW without recording, for example on stage, should I select Work of the Performing Arts or Sounf Recording?
Hi Oracle, I am so sorry but I am just not understanding your question well enough to give you a precise answer. Generally, however, if you have created a musical work using a digital audio workstation, the notes or programming code you wrote using the DAW are protectable as a musical work. If your workstation interprets the notes or code and plays the song, the recording of that played song is a sound recording. 'Hope this helps. -john
@@johnferrellesq.Hi, In the demo video on the website Eservice was selected Type of works: "Work of the Performing Arts". According to the description on the website, both types of work: (“Sound Recording” and "Work of the Performing Arts" ) can be selected for Musical work. But I'm not sure I understand the difference correctly.
Fom descrioption: "To register both the sound recordings and the musical (or other) works contained on the sound recordings, select “Sound Recording”.
To register only the musical works, select “Work of the Performing Arts.”
Based on this, I'm not sure what to choose and what exactly is being registered. Music (like notes) and/or How the track sounds.
Hi Oracle, I may have accidentally responded from a different UA-cam account, and wanted to repeat my answer to you so you know the response is legitimate.
When you write a song and record that song in a tangible median (e.g. writing the song down on paper or recording the notes and lyrics in a computer file) you've created a copyright in the musical work. You have the option of registering the copyright with the copyright office, as I described in my video. The registration of the copyright in the musical works (notes and music) falls under the category of “work at the performing arts.”
A separate work is created. If you or someone else sings or performs your song and records that performance. This is called a “sound recording.” If you both write the music and sing or perform the song, you can register both types of works and you can receive separate copyright protection for each of these works. If someone else sings your song, they can register their performance of your song as a “sound recording”, preventing others from playing or distributing their performance. They cannot register your notes and lyrics - only you the author can register the musical work.
When registering your song, you need to designate which type of work you are registering. If you are just registering the musical work (notes and/or lyrics), then select “work of the performing arts” as the type of work. If you are registering only the sound recording (the recorded performance), then select “sound recording” as the type of work. If you are registering both the musical work and the recorded performance, then select “sound recording” as the type of work.
‘Hope this helps. I would love to hear your sound recording if you would like to share your link in this comment section. Good luck with your music!! -john
I believe that I understand this question. I am only guessing, here, coming from Akai MPC platform...
I actually create/mix/master everything on the MPC, which is just a dedicated hardware DAW. I have the option of either rendering the final song to a sound file (WAV, etc.) which I do not usually do, or playing with track muting live and recording through my mixer up into computer (just using dumb ol' Audacity, usually.)
I believe all of my works would be definitely be considered "recordings" because I actually do hit the "Record" button in Audacity, right. But, if I understand, you are asking whether the act of rendering a song straight to sound file on disk (WAV or MP3) considered a "recording".
It's an excellent question. My very uneducated guess would be, "yes". I mean, does it matter if that sound was produced on one end of some chain, traveling through cables, and captured at another end... or whether it was produced in the DAW, traveling through the computer RAM and motherboard traces, and "captured" (rendered) directly into a WAV representation of that sound? Feels like the same thing, to me.
Hi, I'm having a problem entering 4 songs under one title, do you have a video explaining how to do this?
If you wish to register multiple songs with the same application, there are two options.
The first option is a "Group Registration of Unpublished Works" (GRUW). Under a GRUW, you may register up to 10 songs that have not been published and were created by the same author. The application fee for a GRUW is $85.
The second option is "Group Registration for Works on an Album of Music" (GRAM). Under a GRAM, you may register up to 20 songs that were released on an album and have a common author. The GRUW and GRAM applications are under the "Other Registration Options" on the Copyright Office registration webpage.
If the songs do not qualify for a GRUW or GRAM, then you must file a standard application for each song. Thank you so much for watching my video and leaving your comment. I am very grateful to have you here 😊 -john
And do I have to do the same thing with the music video of those songs😊
The music video can be copyrighted as an audio video work. Good luck with music! Hope you you are super-successful with this. Warmest regards, -john
Hi, should a different process/approach be taken for copyrighting an original hymn?
Nope. A hymn is a poem or musical work as any other work of authorship. Just follow this video and you should be all set. Warmest regards, -john
@@johnferrellesq. Great, thank you so much!
@@SethPetero My pleasure. 🙂
I am ready to register my work as a recording artist, I already have the sound recording and lyrics of my work, but after watching your useful video I noticed that I do not have the tablature. Should I register my songs without it?
Hi Eddie, If you register the sound recording, then the performance but not the musical composition will be registered. If you also register the lyrics, then the words of the song will be copyrighted but not the underlying music itself. ‘Hope this helps. --john
@@johnferrellesq. It does. I appreciate it
What is considered published work? I have several songs published on streaming platforms and some on youtube. Can I copyright those all together as "a certain group of published works"?
A work is published when you distribute copies of the work to the public either by sale, transfer of owner, or rental/lease. It is also considered a publication for a musician to distribute a copy of a song to a radio station or streaming service for them to publicly transmit the song. However, a musician's performance of the song at a live concert is not a publication. For music, the ability to register up to 20 works under a group registration only applies to works published on the same album. 'Hope this helps! 😊 -john
Thank you, John. It does help.@@johnferrellesq.
Amazing video, I do have one question: How do I copyright the beat/instrument ?
Thank you for your question. Drum notation or drum tab can be copyrighted the same as any other music. You can register both the musical work (the written notation) or the recorded performance of the drum music. 'Hope this helps. Warmest regards, -john
Hello what additional steps are there if registering on behalf of someone?
An authorized agent only has to follow the same steps shown in the video to register a copyright with the Copyright Office.
The Copyright Office allows the copyright owner's authorized agent to register a work. A copyright owner can appoint anyone to be an authorized agent. Generally, the Copyright Office accepts the statement in the application certifying that the agent is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner, so there are no additional steps required. However, in special circumstances, the Copyright Office may ask for additional evidence to prove the agent was acting with the copyright owner's permission.
U.S. Copyright Office, Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices § 101, Chapter 400, pages 3, 7-8 (3d ed. 2021). www.copyright.gov/comp3/chap400/ch400-application.pdf
'Hope this helps. Warmest wishes, -john
Dope video breakdown! How does it work when music producers creates the music and lyric writer writes that music and they record the song and wants to copyright the work together? Would this be done on the standard form as a sound recording and add each person as an author, one for music, and one for lyrics?
The author of the sound recording and the author of the musical composition should both be listed on the author page. The application will then ask you to list each author's contributions, where you would indicate who created the sound recording and the musical composition. However, to register the sound recording and the musical composition together using the standard application, both works must have the same author(s) or owner.
Thank you for your comment. I am so grateful to have you on my channel. Please subscribe if you haven't done so already. Warmest wishes. 😊 -john
@@johnferrellesq. You are welcome brother! You information is helping many and I've sub'd you. Good Stuff.
For clarity and simplicity. I am thinking of it in terms of 50\50 copyright from the viewpoint of person A created the music and Person B wrote the lyrics to the music and the song was recorded to phonorecord from the studio. Are you saying listing the authors on a sound recording application as the music producer and the writer on the same form covers both people on the copyright? Those that make it the copyright 50/50? Hope I'm being clear.
@@opinionatorX When you register the sound recording and musical composition together, you register two separate copyrights simultaneously.
As a result, the Copyright Office asks you to provide information about both copyrights. However, the authors/owners of the sound recording and musical composition do not change as a result of filing the application. Listing the writer of the musical composition on the application would not give them any rights to the sound recording.
'Hope this answers your question. -john
@@johnferrellesq. Thanks John! When you mentioned "you register two separate copyrights simultaneously" this is exactly what I wanted to know. I appreciate you taking the time educate us.
as an African indie artist would love to know how one can afford your fees for future projects and guidance and thank you so much this was helpful.
Use the free help on UA-cam to get your business started. With good products and services you will soon have the funds you need to afford help and support so that you can grow. Warmest wishes, -john
@@johnferrellesq. thanks appreciate
Question. Can you copyright the sound recording. Than copyright the lyrics separately?
If ones already filed. And the other one isn't
Yes. For example if the sound recording is already registered and you want to copyright the music or lyrics, you will just need to file a separate registration as shown in the video. I hope this helps. Warmest regards, -john
@johnferrellesq. thank you uncle john!
Going to get on that today!
If I register my song or instrumental there’s a way to in the future modified the song or Instrumental even if I already registered and upload it but different ? Thanks for the video
Yes, your are free to register all future revisions or performances of your music. -john
Hi John. I'd like to put as many unpublished works on one for as possible to save money but some of the works were written from a few years ago to 30 years ago and you can only pick one year as dates to copyright. what would you recommend?
Hi Dave, it sounds like you are super-productive. Congratulations for creating so much music. This is so fact specific that I can't properly advise you in an open forum. I suggest you consider a short consultation with a Copyright attorney to discuss your specific case. I would be happy to put you in touch with one of our attorneys if you would like to hire them for 30 minutes or so to review this with you. (email me at jsferrell@carrferrell.com and I will make the introduction). Wishing you all the best! -john
Can we just submit singing vocals without any music instrumental accompaniment? Thanks.
Yes. That is music. 😊
Hi John.
I Really appreciate this tutorial! However, I’m encountering an issue on the “Certification” page. Your form shows the checkbox option, i.e. “I certify that I am the author, copyright claimant, or owner of exclusive rights…”. My “Certification” page does not show this option. It only shows the fields of 1) Name of certifying individual, 2) Applicant’s Internal Tracking Number and 3) Note to Copyright Office. As such, the “Certification by author” box is left unchecked on the final “Review Submission” page, leaving it incomplete. It appears that this application form has been somewhat modified since your video. Is there another way to make this checkbox selection that I may have missed? A technical support agent transferred me to the Public Information Office but a representative was not available. Thanks so much!
The Copyright Office appears to be having some technical issue with this page because the “Certification” page should be the same regardless of the application type (we were able to duplicate this problem); therefore, the checkbox should be in the same location as it appears in the video. If you have already filed the application, please follow up with the Copyright Office because they are in the best position to help.
So sorry you are having this issue. Warmest wishes, -john
Hi! For some reason the certification tab button (12:56)is gone when I registred lately. I can only add the name of the certifying individual, is it a problem? Thanks in advance❤
Bob, We have seen this issue before, and there are some other comments in this thread addressing the same problem. The Certification tab should appear as it does at 12:56 in the video; if it appears differently, that is generally an issue with the Copyright Office’s webpage. In that case, I suggest refreshing the webpage or restarting the application because you must check the box, as demonstrated in the video. Call the Copyright Help Desk if this doesn't resolve. Thank you so much for watching my video and leaving your comment. I am very grateful to have you here 😊 -john
Is it safe to enter all your info when registering?
Thank you for your message. This is a government website. If the government can't protect our information then we probably have not privacy at all, since they already know everything about us. 😊 Good luck with your copyright! What genre of music do you create? -john
Hey rob I have a question I’m copyrighting my music as a group of unpublished works but theirs one thing bugging me. What if I have one song already published part of the unpublished works because out of all of them their is one that’s on Spotify and major platforms but the rest is not do I have to separate that as publish works or it doesn’t matter because it’ll still be protected?
If a song has been published, it cannot be included in the Group of Unpublished Works (GRUW) application. You can still use a GRUW to register the unpublished songs, but the published song must be registered using the standard application or other appropriate applications. Warmest regards, -john
Do I need to pay for every registration or it’s just one pay?
You can register multiple works using a single registration and fee. Go to 6:40 in the video. 'Hope this helps. Warmest wishes, -john
Do you mean the lyrics to be text them PDF thx..and also if I have multiple producers from each song how do I register that please thank you
Yes, the lyrics and sheet music can be uploaded as a PDF. Producers can be co-authors of the music but usually are hired by the musician or music publisher to help with post performance editing. Their contributions in this case would normally in this case be contractual works made for hire. Warmest wishes, -john
If I get the GRUW where I can register 10 songs do I need to register all the songs at once or can I register them separately throughout the way with the same 85 dollars I paid?
No. 🙁 You only get the benefit of the GRUW discount if you file all 10 songs in the same registration. Good luck with your music, I hope you crush it and we all get to hear you someday soon on Spotify. Warmest wishes, -john.
1:27 Bro said this line in ALL seriousness but is funny AF
Thank you for watching!! Warmest wishes, --john
Does the song have to be the mastered version
Nope. Any performance of the song can be registered. Warmest regards, -john
Can anyone from anywhere in the world register copyright with the US copyright office? Or must they register within their own countries? And what about the claiming of damages and Attorney fees? Are these available to anyone or only citizens of the USA?
Anyone can register and enforce a U.S. copyright. Thanks for your question?
Can i copyright just my vocals with the lyrics no instrumental?
Yes, of course. Music performed a cappella (words only) can be copyrighted as a performance. Warmest regards, -john
If I misspelled a word when I submitted lyrics with my SR, do I need to reregister the claim and pay another $65 or is it an easy fix?
No. A single misspelled word in your copyright registration does not need to be corrected. Warmest wishes, -john
@johnferrellesq. Thank you, John.
I have a question but I think I know the answer possibly.. if I have unlimited rights to use a beat but it is not mine do I only copyright the lyrics I wrote to the beat and I can not include the copyright of the beat itself right? Being I did not create the beat but I only used it for my song ( I have permission to do this) but the lyrics are 100% my own.
You are correct. You can copyright your lyrics but not the other author's beat. Do you have a channel with you music? I would love to hear it. 😊. -john
@@johnferrellesq. thank you so much your answer I also asked the beat maker today and he said I can indeed copy right my song using his beat (he messaged me and agreed via Instagram) I am going to also list him in the copy right too. Is that ok? That he said it is ok? Also I will have my song up soon on apple music and Spotify and I will comment back with a link to it thank you 😊
@@authorfrancesmarie8242 If you are registering the lyrics, it sounds like you are the sole author. If you are registering the sheet music, then you and the beat author would be joint authors, if the words are included in the sheet music. If this is a registration in the sound recording - with you rapping or singing - then it sounds like you would be the sole performance author, unless others are playing on the track. 'Hope this helps. -john
@@authorfrancesmarie8242 If you are registering the lyrics, it sounds like you are the sole author. If you are registering the sheet music, then you and the beat author would be joint authors, if the words are included in the sheet music. If this is a registration in the sound recording - with you rapping or singing - then it sounds like you would be the sole performance author, unless others are playing on the track. 'Hope this helps. -john
@@johnferrellesq. thank you it does John! I am planning on registering my lyrics and my song so that would be the sound recording right? According to Copy right it seems like it is and I would be the author and the beat producer be an author too because of their work of making the beat?
When you say tablature what do you mean?
Tablature is a form of musical notation indicating instrument fingering or the location of the played notes rather than musical pitches. I played banjo and guitar for instance and rather than exchanging music with others guitar players as musical pitch notation, we would commonly write down and share our music as tablature. -john
Hi, so it is $65 for just one song?
For a single song, the standard filing fee is $65 for an online application using the Standard Application.
However, there are circumstances under which multiple songs can be registered together for a single fee. These include:
1. Group Registration of Unpublished Works (GRUW): This allows for the registration of up to 10 unpublished songs as a collection for a single filing fee of $85.
2. Group Registration for Published Works (GRMPH): If the songs are published together as part of a compilation, you can register them as a group for a single $65 filing fee, but this is typically more applicable to album registrations. The Group Registration for Musical Works Published (GRMPH) fee is $65. This fee allows you to register multiple musical works that have been published together as part of a unit of publication, such as an album. This registration type is designed for cases where you want to register all the songs on a published album as a single group.To qualify for this type of registration, the musical works must meet specific criteria, such as being published together as a unit (e.g., on the same album) and all the works must share the same publication date. The group registration process simplifies the registration of multiple published works and allows for a more cost-effective way to secure copyright protection for an entire album of songs.
3. Registering a Compilation: If the songs are part of a published album or collection, they can be registered as a single work (a compilation), and the $65 fee for registering the compilation would apply.
Thank you so much for watching my video and leaving your comment. I am very grateful to have you here 😊 -john
is a recording on my phone good enough for my SR when I submit a song for a copyright?
Yes. Good luck with your recording! Warmest wishes, -john
Yes. Good luck with your recording!! -john
2:55 To be clear, creatives, authors, musicians/songwriters can pursue statutory damages (from $750 to $30,000 and up to $150,000 for willful copyright infringement, and possibly their attorney fees & legal costs - at the court’s discretion) if they “timely” register their works, EITHER *before* the infringement takes place OR registered *within three-months of its first-date of publication.*
Thank you for the added detail. --john
Holy cow, what a great video chock full of answers, but then also SO much more great info in the comment section! Like'd/Subscribe'd/Bell'ed and commenting for the algorithm. If this video were monetized with "Super Thanks", I'd've tossed $25 at you for all your effort. Thank you for helping so many people!
I am sill slighly uncertain about one concept - the "lyrics and music" part. I totally understand how this would apply to most traditional songwriters/musicians, but what about those of us just coming up with unique "electronica" works in a DAW?
I use only Akai MPC platform to create/mix/master every song. It is basically a dedicated hardware DAW. There is no way I can imagine getting all of the sequences out of this machine and onto proper staff paper. Would guys like me need to go through every track on every song and transcribe by hand every note placed? I don't even know how to properly build a score on staff sheets, really. It'd take me forever to Every-Good-Boy-Does-Fine and F-A-C-E my way through that.... then, the drums... ug.
Is all hope lost for guys like me copywriting the actual music we built up into the song recording, even though each and every note was placed real-time with finger pads?
Holy cow to you, too! Thank you for the kind words. -john
Can you use US copy right if you are in a different country?
Yes. Most commercially important countries of the world share a common set of Copryright Laws referred to as the Berne Convention. -john
How would you copyright a song under a llc?
The author would either be the song writer or the performer (depending on the type of registration) or the author would be the LLC if the song was written by an employee as part of their job or as a work made for hire by a contractor. Warmest regards, -john
@@johnferrellesq. thanks
Thanks!
Welcome! -john
What if the process regarding "unpublished" works is taking about 6 months & I decide to distribute my music all over the streaming platforms before its completion? Do I have to request a special handling for the copyright to be effective before I hit the distributor? Thanks. Max.@@johnferrellesq.
Hi Max, your copyright is effective as soon as you record your music in a tangible medium. So as soon as you record your song, for example, your copyright is effective. The reason for the registration is to create a record of your ownership and to have the right to stop others from using your work. Hope this helps. Good luck with your Music!!!! -john
Thank you! That's correct, but I was wondering if the registration in and of itself may be cancelled and rejected because of the "published" nature of my works before the Office even have the time to consider my application. I mean, would it still be valid? Or should I publish my songs anyway after the day of my request on their website?@@johnferrellesq.
@@majovanelli8388 wrote, “What if the process regarding ‘unpublished’ works is taking about 6 months & I decide to distribute my music all over the streaming platforms before its completion?”
The day the US Copyright Office (USCO) *“RECEIVES”* your completed (un-published) copyright registration application + your deposit (the un-published music you’re registering) + your filing fee, is the day it’s been officially *“REGISTERED,”* even though it may take the USCO a few weeks to a couple of months to mail your “Certificate of Registration” to you. Your Certificate’s “effective date of registration” will be back-dated to when the USCO received all three components of your application.
As of December 2023, it’s taking on-average about six-weeks to clear your application: You could receive your Certificate before or after that timeframe. If you don’t receive it after three-months, contact the USCO. I’ve had my Certificates lost in the mail a couple of times.
@majovanelli8388 wrote, “Do I have to request a special handling for the copyright to be effective before I hit the distributor?”
You’re fine to start distributing, licensing, selling, and/or sharing your music while the USCO processes your (un-published) music application, and you certainly do NOT have to pay $800 for a Special Handling rush charge.
*HOWEVER,* if you, say, are registering your UN-published musical work on a Monday, do NOT “publish” your work on that very same Monday. Ideally, wait a full 24-hours, and preferably, two-full days, before you start distributing your work (aka, “published” status); otherwise, you may have a defective (un-published) registration on file at the USCO.
I think that $65.00 dollars is very expensive for a single song, oh you can register more songs with the same application?
There are two options for group filing of songs. The first option is a "Group Registration of Unpublished Works" (GRUW). Under a GRUW, you may register up to 10 songs that have not been published and were created by the same author. The application fee for a GRUW is $85. The second option is "Group Registration for Works on an Album of Music" (GRAM). Under a GRAM, you may register up to 20 songs that were released on an album and have a common author. The application fee for a GRAM is $65.
Thank you so much for watching my video and leaving your comment. I am very grateful to have you here 😊 -john Warm wishes. -john
If I get the GRUW where I can register 10 songs do I need to register all the songs at once or can I register them separately throughout the way with the same 85 dollars I paid?
@@patyrivera6555 All 10 must be registered in the same application if you want the GRUW rate. -john
@@patyrivera6555 All 10 must be registered in the same application if you want the GRUW rate. Good question. 🙂 -John
What about a album? $65 per song?
No. You can register the entire album at once. Here is a link: www.copyright.gov/eco/gram-pa/getting-started-musical-works.pdf. Good luck with your music! --john
@@johnferrellesq. I think that $65.00 dollars is very expensive for a single song, oh you can register more songs with the same application?
why didn't you just register your video as an example lol
Great idea! 😊 -john
The background music distracts many people from listening. Your video will be more successful if you remove it
Thank you for the comment - I agree with you on the background music. I can't go back and change this video made nearly a year ago, but I am trying hard to make each video better than the last. Please don't give up on me yet; I'm working hard to improve our content.
BTW, I am curious what other types of videos you watch. Are there other entrepreneur topics I could address that you would be interested in seeing?
Thank you again for your helpful input. Warmest regards, -john
@johnferrellesq. if someone is listed as an author do they own the copyright ?
The answer is mostly yes. However, the author often does not own the Copyright as it is common for the work of authorship to be assigned to an employer or other contracting party. Thank you for your comment. I am so grateful to have you on my channel. Please subscribe if you haven't done so already. Warmest wishes. 😊 -john