How To Copyright Your Indie Music
Now that you have that amazing indie track nailed, how do you ensure it is yours? Yes, yours! How do you make sure some kid from the other block don’t lay claim to it, or some smart dude put it up on Amazon or iTunes and make money off it… just because you can’t prove the track is yours.
Don’t fret, there’s one solution. Have your music copyrighted. Normally, once the song is made, it’s copyrighted…all you need to do now is have it registered.
Here is the process
– Make a copy of your song – a CD, USB drive, MP3, or make a video. All of these methods may be used to create a hard copy recording of your song.
– It is easy to have the song registered online. Visit the government’s copyright website (www.copyright.gov/ ) .
Click on the Electronic Copyright Office ( www.copyright.gov/eco/ )where you can make an online copyright filing, processing takes up to five months to be processed.
This is a much shorter process than registering by mail, which can take up to 15 months.
– Register a free account on the website. Your name, address, country, phone details, and preferred contact method will be needed.
Once you have an account opened, you can use this every time you’d like to make a copyright application. The account allows you to monitor your applications and to find various types of information concerning copyright.
– Complete your online copyright application. You will need to provide information about the work you’re seeking to copyright and where you’d like the copyright certification to be sent.
– Pay the needed fee for registration, usually $35. You can pay via either credit or debit card, electronic check, or a copyright office deposit account.
– Upload an electronic copy of your work. Many types of files are accepted, but check the Copyright Office’s complete list to ensure that you’re not sending in an incompatible file.
– If you prefer not to send an electronic copy, you can send a hard copy (non-returnable) and it has to be sent in a box, not an envelope. You can make a shipping address slip from the site.
– Wait for your copyright application to be processed. You can log back in to your account to check the status of your claim at any time.
Just in case you prefer to send your music by mail, here’s what to do.
– Visit the copyright website and download the copyright form. Fill out the form. If you have any questions, contact the Copyright Office.
– Place your stored copy of music in the package – which includes the filled out form, the specified payment.
– Send your package to the Copyright office.
– Wait for the certificate of registration. Registration process can take up to 15 months if you’ve filed by mail.
The copyright office sends letter to receipt of your request. Your copyright registration takes effect from the moment your application is received.
