In the United States, copyrights are granted to creators of original works for a limited time to incentivize them to produce new and innovative material. The copyright process can be complex, but this post will explain everything you need to know to protect your music. Luckily, copyright is much easier nowadays than it was before.

Copyright is a "bundle of rights," including making copies, selling or distributing the work, or performing or displaying the work publicly. These exclusive rights are granted to authors or creators of original works for a limited time. The copyright term for music is the author's life plus 70 years.

We'll cover what copyrights are, why they're important, the costs involved, and how you can register your work with the US Copyright Office. So whether you're a musician just starting out or you've been creating music for years, it's crucial to understand how copyright law can help protect your work.

What is a Copyright?

A copyright is a form of intellectual property protection that gives creators the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display their work. Copyright law also allows creators to control how their work is used by others. For example, if you write a song, you have the exclusive right to decide whether it can be recorded or performed live.

Copyright protection is available for various creative works, including music, literature, art, and software. In the United States, copyright law is governed by the Copyright Act of 1976.

Why Are Copyrights Important?

Copyrights are necessary because they give creators control over their work. Without copyright protection, anyone could copy and sell your work without your permission. Copyright law also provides financial incentives for creators by allowing them to profit from their work.

For example, suppose you write a song. In that case, you can generate revenue by selling it as a digital download, licensing it for use in a film or TV show, or performing it live. If someone else wanted to use your song, they would need your permission first and would likely have to pay you for the privilege.

What Type of Copyrights Are There For Music?

Music has two types of copyrights: composition copyrights and sound recording copyrights.

Composition copyrights protect the musical work, including the melody, lyrics, and arrangement. In other words, composition copyrights protect the song as a whole.

Sound recording copyrights protect the actual recording of the song, which includes the performance of the musicians and the sound quality of the recording. In other words, sound recording copyrights protect the specific recording of a song.

Even if your song is not a hit record, you never know if it might be one day. Copyright your music if you ever plan to release it.

How Much Does it Cost to Copyright Your Music?

The cost of copyrighting a piece of music depends on a few factors, including the type of work being copyrighted and how many copies will be made.

For example, if you're copyrighting a song you wrote, you would need to pay a filing fee of $35. If you're copyrighting a sound recording of that song (i.e., the actual recorded performance), you would need to pay an additional $50.

In total, the cost of copyrighting a song can range from $35 to $85, depending on the number of copies being made.

How Do You Copyright Music?

You can copyright your music by filing a copyright application with the US Copyright Office. The application process is relatively simple and can be done online or by mail.

Once your application is filed, you must pay the appropriate filing fee and submit a copy of your work to the Copyright Office. Once your application is processed, you will receive a copyright certificate that serves as proof of your copyright.

It's important to note that copyright protection is automatic in the United States. To be protected, you don't need to register your work with the Copyright Office. However, registering your work does have several benefits, including the ability to sue for copyright infringement and collect damages.

Should You Copyright Your Music?

There are many reasons why you should copyright your music, but the most important one is that it gives you the legal right to control how your work is used by others.

If someone wanted to use your song without your permission, they would need to get your license first. This means you can negotiate a fee for the use of your song. Without copyright, anyone could use your song without compensating you.

In addition, if your work is registered with the Copyright Office, you can file a lawsuit for copyright infringement and collect damages if someone unlawfully uses your song.

Understanding Copyright, Public Domain, and Fair Use

Indie Music Copyright FAQs

What is Copyright Registration?

Copyright registration is submitting your work to the US Copyright Office to receive a copyright certificate.

The copyright certificate serves as official proof that you are the owner of the copyrighted work and gives you the legal right to control how your work is used by others.

When is Your Music Copyrighted?

Your music is copyrighted as soon as it is created and fixed in a tangible form, such as a paper or a computer file.

However, to sue for copyright infringement or register your work with the Copyright Office, you must register your work with the US Copyright Office.

How long does copyright protection last?

For most types of copyrighted works, the duration of copyright protection is the author's life plus 70 years.

However, for sound recordings, the duration of copyright protection is 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation, whichever is shorter.

Conclusion

Copyright law provides essential protections for music artists. By understanding how copyright law works, you can better protect your work and ensure that you're compensated for its use. This is especially important if you’re just starting out or are a new artist.

Copyrighting your music is relatively simple and inexpensive, providing several significant benefits. So if you're serious about your music career, copyright your work. It's the best way to protect your interests and ensure that you're compensated for your creativity.