Why should I care?

Do you like the idea of getting paid for something you love creating? So do other people!
By copyrighting your work and respecting the rights of others, we can keep music making a viable career path.

You can protect your rights by registering written music or a recording. Recordings are called "mechanicals" because they require machines to be created.

How do I copyright a song?

  1. Go to copyright.gov
  2. Register your copyright though the online system./ You can upload sheet music, an audio file, or even lyrics with chord symbols.
  3. Pay the fee. (currently $35 to file online, up to $85 if you insist on mailing in your work)
  4. Use the copyright symbol on your work!

What is a typical copyright violation?

Some musicians "quote" someone else's melody or groove. This is a pretty big no-no, even if it was inadvertent. Ask Cold Play.
Uploading/downloading/sharing music is also a copyright violation.
Sony and Disney are notorious for going after offenders. FYI: Sony owns almost all of the Beatles and Michael Jackson copyrights.

I'm a student. Isn't everything covered under "fair use"?

Schools can perform music they have purchased legally, but cannot sell or distribute copies of the performance. 
Disney music performances posted online frequently trigger letters from their attorneys, as have works of recent "classical" composers. 
You don't want to have to explain that to your principal or supervisor.

What kind of trouble might I face?

Fines can run anywhere from $5000 to $10,000 or more. Possible jail time if you're convicted of music piracy.

How do I request licensing of someone else's song?

Start with the Harry Fox Agency. If they do not hold the rights, you'll need to do a little research, then work the phone & email.
NEVER EVER publicly post or sell the performance a copyrighted song without taking the time to get the rights.
Purchasing sheet music allows you to perform the music, not to distribute the performance.

**If you are playing in a restaurant or club, it is the owner's responsibility to have a license for live music.