Why Do You Need To Copyright Your Music: Should You Do It?

*This update was provided by our partner, Cosynd, the fastest and most affordable way to protect your copyrights.

TLDR; the music you create is an asset and subsequently that asset needs to be protected!

If you’re a musician, songwriter, or producer, protecting your intellectual property is essential. Copyrighting your music ensures that you have legal ownership of your work and have the right to decide how it’s used, distributed, and profited from.

But why do you need to copyright your music? The answer is simple: it provides you with legal protection against infringement and theft.

By registering your music at the U.S. Copyright Office, you’re creating a public record of ownership, which can come in handy if someone tries to use your work without your permission.

It also gives you the right to take legal action and seek compensation for any damages caused by infringement. Plus, it can add value to your music and increase your chances of landing lucrative deals with record labels and publishers.

In this post, we’ll dive deeper into the importance of copyrighting your music and explore recent changes in legislation and policy that could impact your rights as a creator.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, understanding the benefits of copyright registration is crucial for safeguarding your creative works.

Why Do You Need To Copyright Your Music: Should You Do It?

Why is Copyrighting Your Music Important? Understanding Your Basic Rights as The Copyright Owner

Copyright law exists to protect your creative works from getting used without your permission. As the copyright owner, you will have the exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and license your work, as well as create derivative works.

It’s important to understand that a copyright exists the moment your work is created, but registering your copyright at the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional benefits and protections. By doing so, you create a public record of your ownership and make it easier to enforce your rights in court if necessary.

In addition to protecting your own work, copyright law also encourages creativity and innovation by allowing creators to profit from their efforts. Without copyright protections, it would be difficult for artists to make a living from their work and for the entertainment industry to thrive.

In the next section, we’ll explore some of the specific benefits of copyright registration and why you should consider taking this important step to protect your music.

>>> Related Reading: Your 6 Rights As The Copyright Holder & The 2 Parts of Every Song

The Benefits of Registering Your Works with the U.S. Copyright Office

Registering your original works at the U.S. Copyright Office can offer many benefits beyond just protecting your basic rights as the copyright owner. Here are some of the advantages that come with registration:

Established Public Record: When you register your works at the U.S. Copyright Office, you create a public record of ownership of your original work. This means that in case of any disputes or infringement issues, you can easily prove your ownership.

Physical Proof: You will also receive a certificate of registration from the Copyright Office as physical proof of your registration. This certificate can be useful in proving ownership, especially when presenting it to third parties.

Infringement Suit: Registration gives you the option to file an infringement suit in court, which could yield you a significant amount of compensation. At the court’s discretion, you could receive anywhere from $750 to $30,000 per work. Moreover, if the infringement is determined to be deliberate, the compensation could even increase up to $150,000 per work.

Attorney’s Fees: In addition to compensation, you may also be eligible to recoup attorney’s fees from litigation, making it easier and more affordable to defend your rights in court.

Factual Evidence: If you file for registration within five years of publication, it is considered factual evidence in a court of law. This means that your registration can be used to prove ownership, even if there are no other records of your work.

Protection Against Importation: Lastly, by recording your registration with the U.S. Customs Service, you can protect your work against the importation of infringing copies. This can be especially useful if your works are popular and have a high risk of being copied or imitated.

The Importance of Timely Copyright Registration

Protecting your intellectual property is essential, and timely copyright registration is a crucial part of that protection. Recent legal rulings have emphasized the importance of registering your copyright before filing an infringement lawsuit. In fact, cases have been dismissed for failure to register prior to filing a lawsuit.

By registering your copyright, you become eligible for statutory damages of up to $150,000 per willful infringement, but only if the infringement began after you registered. It is important to note that “registration” means that your application has been reviewed by the Copyright Office and a decision has been made, which typically takes 3 to 7 months.

While expedited registration is available for a fee of $800, there is no guarantee that your registration will be approved. Additionally, it may not be effective if the infringement occurred before your registration. That’s why it’s essential to register your copyright in a timely manner to ensure maximum protection of your intellectual property.

Is The “poor man’s” copyright a substitute for registering with the U.S. Copyright Office?

Many creators believe that they can establish the date of creation for their work by mailing themselves a copy and keeping it in a sealed envelope, commonly known as “poor man’s” copyright. However, it’s essential to understand that there is no provision in copyright law that supports “poor man’s” copyright as a substitute for registering your works with the U.S. Copyright Office.

While it may have been popular in the past, copyright owners relying on “poor man’s” copyright do not receive the same protections and rights as those who have registered their works. This difference becomes critical, particularly when it comes to enforcing your rights legally. Simply put, that unopened envelope that contains a copy of your work is useless.

The only way to guarantee legal protection for your work is to register it with the U.S. Copyright Office, where you will receive a certificate and have the exclusive rights to your original work. Don’t risk your intellectual property; invest in securing your rights through proper registration.

Register Your Works Quickly and Affordably with Cosynd

As a musician, it’s important to protect your work from unauthorized use, but the process of registering copyrights can be complicated and time-consuming. Fortunately, Music With Flavor members have access to Cosynd, a fast and affordable solution for registering music, videos, images, and more.

For just $25 per registration application (plus federal filing fees), you can register your works with ease. With Cosynd, you don’t need to worry about selecting the correct application type, work type category, or entering repetitive data. You also don’t have to read through lengthy instruction documents to complete your application, and you can be confident that you won’t make any errors that could delay or deny your registration.

But that’s not all – Cosynd offers additional benefits beyond registration. It’s the only solution that can help you manage all of your split sheets, work for hire agreements, and other copyright ownership agreements in one convenient account. So not only can you protect your work, but you can also simplify the process of managing your creative projects.

Don’t leave your music vulnerable to unauthorized use – register your works quickly and affordably with Cosynd today.

If you’d prefer registering on your own, here are some tips:

Before filing your copyright registration application with the U.S. Copyright Office, make sure to carefully read their guidelines to determine which application type you should use. Currently, the application fees range from $45 to $85 per application depending on the registration type. If you decide to file a paper form, the fee is $125.

It’s important to select the correct category of work type for your registration. You may need to do some research to determine which category is most appropriate for your work. For example, song registrations can fall under different categories.

If you have multiple works to register, it’s possible to submit them on a single application as long as they meet the standards for authorship, ownership, publication, and creation. Take the time to research the correct way to list multiple works on a single application.

Provide as much detailed information as possible for authors, claimants, and transfers of ownership (if applicable) in your application.Keep in mind that this process can be time-consuming if you do not have all of the required information prepared beforehand. Good luck, creators!

Good luck, creators!

To learn more about protecting your copyrights, follow Cosynd

Instagram  Twitter  LinkedIn  Facebook 

Cosynd Logo banner

As a music creator, you’ve poured your heart and soul into your work. With Cosynd, you can protect it without breaking the bank. Their platform is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to safeguard your creations.

Cosynd is one of few solutions that allow creators to easily yet professionally create, negotiate, and sign essential contracts that secure their copyrights, which are then registered with the Copyright Office. Cosynd is changing a time-consuming and expensive process into one that saves video makers, musicians, visual artists, writers, and others thousands of dollars in legal fees with just a few clicks.

Whether you’re an individual or a business, they offer solutions that cater to your needs. Cosynd is leveling the playing field by making basic copyright protection affordable and accessible to everyone. Visit www.cosynd.com today and start protecting your life’s work.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top