The first thing you do after you have finished your song, your screenplay, your book, poem, short story or other creative endeavor is copyright your work. For a small fee, copyright offers protection from theft, unauthorized use, disputes over who created the work and can save you thousands of dollars. Once the copyright is registered and you want to begin marketing your music, you’ll want to publish it. If you intend to lease or sell your music, most publishers, artists, music supervisors, theater directors and others interested in using your music will require you to have a copyright. Learn more at https://copyright.gov
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection granted by law for original works of authorship. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. Copyright allows you to negotiate you to sell or lease your works and keeps others from stealing or using your work without permission.
What does copyright protect?
Copyright protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, screenplays, movies, songs, computer software, theatrical plays and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.
When is my work protected?
Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.
Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. Registration is voluntary. Copyright protects you from someone stealing or challenging your work. Registering with the US Copyright office can save you thousands of dollars should someone make a claim against your work or should you wish to file a claim for copyright infringement. First one to the copyright office wins.
How much does a copyright cost?
For published works the cost is $65.00 per published work. For unpublished works, the cost is $85.00 for up to 10 unpublished works. There are other fees as well based upon your needs.
Is my copyright good in other countries?
The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world, and as a result of these agreements, we honor each other’s citizens’ copyrights. However, the United States does not have such copyright relationships with every country. There is a listing of countries and the nature of their copyright relations with the United States, on the https://copyright.gov website.
What is copyright infringement?
Copyright infringement occurs when a copyright owner’s exclusive rights are violated. A copyright is violated when someone copies, distributes, performs or displays all or part of a copyright work without the permission of the copyright owner. A copyright in a musical work may be infringed through the sale of bootleg recordings, by the use of digital “samples” or the use of a musical work in a video or motion picture without permission.
How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?
Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.
What is publication?
Publication is the distribution of copies or phonorecords of a work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending. The offering to distribute copies or phonorecords to a group of persons for purposes of further distribution, public performance, or public display constitutes publication. A public performance or display of a work does not of itself constitute publication. Generally, publication occurs on the date on which copies of the work are first distributed to the public. Publishing rights are one aspect of copyright.
What are publishing rights?
If you have not signed an agreement or contract with a publishing company, you own your publishing rights. This gives you the right to determine how your copyrighted material (song, book poem, photo, video, film, i.e., the composition itself, as a separate entity from any particular master recording) is used. You earn money any time that material is sold, performed, or covered.