Re: Copyrighting

On Monday, October 27, 1997, Carl Letscher <rockshop[_at_]swbell.net> wrote:
>
> How can I copyright my music without spending a lot of money?

Your music is already copyrighted, you lucky man. Once the work (your expression, not facts) are "fixed in a tangible medium" (17 U.S.C section 102(a)--The Copyright Act of 1976), you automatically hold 5 rights in that work (see section 102 for the list).

In order to be qualified for a certain amount of damages in the case of a copyright infringement, the Copyright Act requires that you register your copyright With the US Copyright Office. This is the best thing to do anyway as it gives you the advantage of a strong legal assumption that anywhere that work exists without your having given consent is likely to be an infringement.

Check out the Copyright Office homepage (don't have it electronic, sorry). It tells you how to register your work. And the good part--its cheap and easy! We are approaching digital filings, if it not already possible. And you are a musician, you actually possess 6 rights in your work as of last year. The extra one is a rare performance right, a mechanism for the US Copyright system to prepare for the digital age and World Intellectual Property Organization treaties.

Good luck! And avoid the mainstream entertainment industry! They will suck every right and royalty you never even thought you deserved!

Harte Thomas
<hrthomas[_at_]att.net> Received on Thu Oct 30 1997 - 07:25:25 GMT