It is often bandied about that all you have to do is to place your
manuscript or recording into an envelope, seal it and mail it to
yourself. This supposedly uses the US Postal Service as the official
government agency to certify that what is contained within the envelope
is truly your material. This has been proven to be weak at best.
Assuming that everything works according to the theory, the best you
could do is prove prior ownership, maybe get a cease and desist order,
but it’s doubtful you would ever see any money.
According to the US Copyright office you will have to register your
music with them, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a
U.S. work. Registering with the copyright office also records your
copyright publicly and provides you with a certification of
registration. Should some nefarious beings abscond with your creation,
and you have successfully obtained a copyright, you may be entitled to
statutory damages and recoup attorney fees in a court of law. Without
that piece of paper, you will most probably lose, or at least not
recover any monetary damages.
Will a Copyright Protect Me in Other Countries?
The United States has reciprocal agreements with other nations with
regards to copyright enforcement, but not with every country. While we
respect the copyrights of others, they may not respect ours. This is
the nature of the business you are entering into.
Make sure you have the right to ownership.
If you created your music solely on your own then you can file for
copyright with you as the creator. If you were part of a group or had
collaborators, then those parties may also have a legal interest in the
copyright. If you have any doubts about ownership of your works, then
it is best to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in
copyright law. A little effort on your part in the beginning to make
sure that your rights and interests are fully protected to the extent
the law allows, the smoother sailing you will have.
This Information is Brought to You By “EZ Record Deal”, the ultimate
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Linda Lane
is a 5 star writer for The Music Business Center, read more of her
music business success articles and subscribe to the Music Biz Center
blog free of charge at http://www.MusicBizCenter.com/blog
