This topic really interests me, as an artist, the hardest thing I find is getting people to actually listen to the song, I would probably take it as a bit of a compliment if someone ripped off one of my songs, though it might be different if it made a bucket load of cash.

I can't remember any famous instance of an established artist ripping off an unsigned artist from a demo mailout, I don't think that actually happens. What has happened a bit is a famous song has been ripped off by a famous artist unconsciously, usually without intent.

I write the song down in music notation, put the copyright sign, my name, date, top and bottom of the page. Might not be much protection legally, but it is kind of cool to look back at in ten years.

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