Re: copyright my music

On Mon, 19 Apr 1999, Barbara L. Friedman <blfriedman[_at_]bryancavellp.com> wrote:
>
> Copyrighting the lyrics and music is very simple, and one I would
> suggest doing on your own. Look at the Copyright Office's web site
> at http://www.loc.gov/copyright/. Read circular number 50 entitled
> Copyright Registration for Musical Compositions, and Circular
> number 56 and 56(a) entitled copyright registration for sound
> recordings. These circulars will help you decide whether to file
> form SR (for sound recordings) or form PA (for performing arts).
> Once you decide which one's more appropriate, you can download the
> forms and instructions from the same site. Copyright protection
> is not available for the band's name, although it is probably
> trademarkable. You can try to apply for a trademark on your own;
> the forms are available online at the PTO's website
> (http://www.uspto.gov/), however, this is a much more complex
> process, and I would recommend speaking to a lawyer first.

This is a semantic quibble, since we all know what you are talking about, but I have always taken the word "copyrighted" to mean to protect by copyright. What you are suggesting is registration of the copyright, which is of course different.

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The preceding was not a legal opinion, and is not my employer's.
Original portions Copyright 1999 Bruce E. Hayden,all rights reserved
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Bruce E. Hayden                      bhayden[_at_]acm.org
Phoenix, Arizona                     bhayden[_at_]ieee.org
                                     bhayden[_at_]copatlaw.com