How To Get A Songwriting Copyright
There are more people interested in songwriting than ever before and really this comes as no surprise. People enjoy songwriting for all sorts of different reasons. A lot of people write songs just because it makes them feel good while others do it to make money. If you are ever dealing with anger or stress you may find that writing thoughts out on paper and making a song helps.
Whether you are a songwriter as a hobby or professionally, be sure that you understand about the songwriting copyright and what this means. If you do not have a songwriting copyright on any song you write, if it were to get in the wrong hands before you had this copyright that person could basically take the song and claim it as their own. Some people will stoop that low, especially if they think the song could be a big hit and without a copyright which is proof you will not be able to prove otherwise. At least with a songwriting copyright you know you can legally sue a person for taking credit for something that is yours.
To have your music published and be able to take the credit for it, you need to have a songwriting copyright in place. The process is quick and simple. Basic protection occurs the minute you actually write the song. As soon as you have recorded the song or have fixed a professional copy, it is yours.
You will need to register each song you write in order to get a copyright for each song separately. You should be able to find a local copyright office near you or you can get things done by going online. You fill out a simple form offering some basic personal information, pay a small fee and you are done. It is pretty easy and well worth the time and money.
Can you imagine if you wrote a hit song but got none of the credit or money because someone else took claim to it before you got a copyright? Make sure that you put a copyright notice on all published copies of your song so that others know you have gone through the process and that you have all the legal rights to the song. You can never be too trusting when you are in the singing and songwriting field. Just because they may not be the one actually singing the song, that does not give anyone else the right to take away the credit of their writing the song.
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Great tips. I've also heard that if you want to save money, you can date and sign a letter stating when the songs were written and by whom, and mail it to yourself to use as evidence in any case against you (maybe not as official, but could possibly work). The post-marked date is usually honored.
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