Copyright
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Posted on Mar 21, 2006 06:38 pm
peterparker
The Beat Keeper
Member Since: Dec 16, 2004
Im now in the process of selling some beats for others to rap on, while getting my name out there i was looking to copyright my tracks to be safe.
I was wondering if anybody knew what type of form i would send in for only the music itself (form sr?) Also, am i able to put more than one track on the cd being sent in?
Thanks
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Mar 21, 2006 06:45 pm yeah, the library of congress has a form for sound recordings...I have filed a couple, but really, thwe poor man's coyright (mailing it to yourself and not opening it has supposedly held up in court before.
And when art is made or product is made, it is intellectual property upon creation.
Mar 21, 2006 07:11 pm Yeah, but i would just love to give the govt more of my money and ive heard differing views on the poormans copyright. Ive heard that it doesnt hold up in the courts.
Mar 21, 2006 07:18 pm I believe, regardless of country of origin, the easiest, and quickest (and cheapest) way of copyrighting is:
1) Write down yer lyrics and chords with all details on sheets
2) Mark Copyright Your Name (insert C symbol) 2006 - All Rights Reserved - at the bottom of each sheet.
3) Stick in a CD with the same on and the P sign (to say this phonogram recorded copyright too).
4) Send 2 copies to yourself via the mail system and DONT open it. Also, you can use recorded deliery for extra secuirty and get proof of posting when doing so.
THIS, is better than nothing and costs the price of a stamp...and, I believe, is pretty much as good as most methods. Though, having a lawyer sign and date a transcript would be better.
Cheers
Coco.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 21, 2006 09:29 pm Well, honestly those are your 2 best choices. And as dB stated, the poormans copyright does work. I have read a few cases were it has stood up. I am sure there are many more though.
AS for the multiple content on one CD. I believe that is acceptable to do.
Mar 21, 2006 10:34 pm Alright then, the poor mans way it is! Thanks to the 3 of you.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Mar 22, 2006 01:17 am so uh, check it out, here's the website for the US Copyright office...
www.copyright.gov
it says on there that the poor man's copyright is valid, and you can put multiple tracks in one submission. But give it a look see for the details...
Mar 22, 2006 12:54 pm ASCAP or BMI can walk you right through the process of this and publishing...and i believe is the 'correct' way of gooin' about such things.
www.ascap.com
www.bmi.com
steveopop musicMember
Since: Sep 27, 2005
Mar 22, 2006 01:25 pm The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.
Mar 22, 2006 01:36 pm I call B.S. It has worked. Moreover, technically it's copyrighted as soon as it's created and put to paper or tape or CD or whatever.
Mar 22, 2006 02:31 pm Gotta second dB on that one. WHich, is also on the Musicians Union site here in the UK and also on various other legitmate and large establishment type sites...
Copyright exists as soon as the material is documented....one only uses the self send method to prove DATE ... as its date stamped and post offices (here in the UK) are the easiest way to do it...
I would also suggest that if one can prove (over here ye get proof of posting stamped, dated and barcoded) when you sent it to yourself, you are sorted...
Coco
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Mar 22, 2006 02:55 pm steveo quoted his post from the copyright.gov site directly. It's in their own web site.
I suppose just because they don't spell it out, doesn't mean a judge won't back it up.
I read up on the copyright awhile ago, and IIRC, as stated above, copyright exists upon creation. Though registering that copyright takes red tape.
Mar 22, 2006 06:24 pm decisions, descisions. I think ill stick to the poormans way. Thanks everybody.
