John,

The money is actually for aggrivation. I love this that we are asked to register our creative works, and labors of love with the same people that run the Department of motor Vehicles, the industry bailouts, and all the other wonderful things associated with governement. Of course they will charge you, They figure if you are dumb enough to go through these silly processes and then really guarantees nothing in the form of protection, you should pay the price. That's where the money for the budgets come from and I am sure that there will be some of this bailout money that goes to that office as well, to re decorate their offices.
Look, I am not saying people should not desire to protect their work, but when you hear so many songs, multiple titles, the same old same old ideas, stories, and lines, that you just become numb to it. the people always worried the most about having something stolen, never have anything worth stealing, and the people who really do this professionally, NEVER worry about it.
In the past five years I have had 13 song titles, general ideas, similar grooves, melodies, etc. end up as hits on the radio. And that is with me being around the writers of those songs on writers nights, in the rounds, benefits, etc. But I don't claim one of them stole anything because they didn't. We all just think in similar areas. And if one comes up that scoops you, well that is the breaks. You can stay at home and play things for nobody, and be the best writer in your living room. But that is where you will stay.
I say you get out there and hope you write them so good that people don't want to steal them bacause you have done the definitive version of the song. Again, this is all just my opinion,but based upon the biggest waste I see of money, time and aggivation. What you have gone through is typical. Lots of money, lost time and no results. Only the governement can get away with that.
And to think that some people even think they are going to get funding from these people is what amazes me.

MAB