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Mutlu
by Gary E. Andrews - 04/15/24 07:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 153
Serious Contributor
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 153 |
If all I have is lyrics and I want to get them copyrighted before I post them on this site or send them to publishing company, artist, musician etc. should I get them copyrighted under the Literary Works section of the Cooywright office??
Thank you for your help! Jamie
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,822
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,822 |
Well, no one's responded in a day, so I'll give it my best shot. AFAIK, lyrics would be considered a literary work since they don't fit the definition of a "musical work". Literary works can include poetry as a "type", but I'm not familiar with "lyrics" as a type. However, once you get them put to music, then you will probably have to register them again as a "musical work" and as a "derivative work" on that PA form (noting the original registration number). Also, AFAIK, music/song publishers don't normally accept lyrics-only as submissions unless they have teaming you up with one of their writers already in mind. Hope that helps... ------------------ Larry www.audibleresponse.com [This message has been edited by Lwilliam (edited 07-19-2002).]
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 111
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Serious Contributor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 111 |
Form PA should be used for registering song lyrics. In Part 1 of the form, where you must enter "Nature of this Work", you should write "Song Lyrics" - as opposed to "Words and Music". This is stated in the instructions for that section. Check it out for yourself at http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formpai.pdf - which is a PDF of the form with instructions. Hope that helps, ------------------ Clif Johnston Clif@CJTrio.com http://www.CJTrio.com
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,822
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I stand corrected. It DOES specifically state "song lyrics" as an option under "Nature of this work" for form PA. ------------------ Larry www.audibleresponse.com
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 394
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Posts: 394 |
Hi The link below is one of the best places for answering all kinds of questions about copyrights. It's written in easy to understand language, and is very helpful. http://www.musicindustrylaw.com/copyright.htm Also, the copyright law states that any intellectual property (i.e. a lyric, poem, manuscript, song, painting, etc.) is copyrighted as soon as it is put in a "tangible form". In other words, as soon as you write an original lyric down on paper, or post it on a website, or record it...it is automatically copyrighted as long as you put your name, the date written, and the copyright symbol on it. (©2000yourname) In my opinion, there is no need to register a copyrighted work with the Copyright Office before you post it on the board. The main purpose for registering a copyright is to have a legal record that will allow you to seek more than actual value in case of a copyright infringement lawsuit. So, before you spend the $30.00 to register a lyric, I would wait and see if a publisher wants that song. If so, the publisher usually pays for registering the copyright. Another reason is that when you get music written for it, or a collaboration, you will need to change the copyright again, anyway, which costs more money. Don't get me wrong.....registering a copyright is always a good idea....remember, though, that the work is already copyrighted, the minute you write it down. Registering it just means that you have more proof if you need it in case of a lawsuit. Bluelitenin
"Music is the Sound that I hear in my Mind"
NEW WEBSITE - http:/home.mindspring.com/~ceriousart
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 111
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 111 |
I would agree that it may be an expensive idea to submit copyright registration for lyrics in order to post them for review, which generally results in re-writing part of the lyrics. At this stage, you might want to do the "poor-man's copyright" just to give you some peace of mind. This is simply sealing copies of the lyrics in an envelope and mailing them to yourself. This gives you a dated postmark attesting to your ownership of the copyright upon that date. Of course you must NOT open the envelopes. This form of copyright protection probably wouldn't hold up against Michael Jackson's lawyers, but it might be enough to get a cease-and-desist against Joe Blow Lyric-Thief if it ever comes to that. Once your lyrics are "finished", you should go ahead and submit registration using form PA. To save money, you can register a group of lyrics as a collection, just as you would register songs as part of an album. The collection can be called anything you want, like "My Cool Songs 2002", etc. That way you can protect the whole bunch for one $30 deposit fee. Hope that helps, ------------------ Clif Johnston Clif@CJTrio.com http://www.CJTrio.com
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