Re: copyright my music

On 04/22/99, Bruce Hayden <bhayden[_at_]ieee.org> wrote:
>
> On 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.

You're absolutely right; and as soon as I sent the post I regretted not making that distinction myself. Qualifying works are automatically protected as soon as they are fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Registration is, of course, not necessary in order to secure copyright protection.

--Barbara Friedman
  <blfriedman[_at_]bryancavellp.com> Received on Fri Apr 23 1999 - 14:20:28 GMT