Copyright: what do you file?

[cardell]

This is a question for those of you that copyright your work through the Library of Congress.What do you file:1. An audio recording of your work or2. Sheet music? ** If you submit sheet music, do you send an entire score or simply a lead line with the chords and lyrics (where applicable).Stuart

[claire]

I submit online with an mp3 file. I used to submit a CD by mail and before that, a cassette tape. Since they've gone online, though, it's easiest for me to do the mp3 file. I use form PR.Claire

[simonparker]

Hi Stuart:If you have a recorded version of the song in entirety, you 'should' file two forms:1) Form SR (either on-line or hard copy. Keep in mind that on-line is $10 cheaper)2) Form CO (if filing on-line), or Form PA if filing hard copy. If filing hard copy (for form SR and PA) you will need to submit two copies of CD/cassette material of the songYou file form SR for "sound recordings", that is, your "sound" and the musicians performance of such composition is registered as protected. You file form CO/PA for the 'words and music' aspect of the song. This is to protect the actual creation of the song (but does not cover the specific performance you created).So for example, if you're a songwriter and not concerned about the sound performance, form PA/CO should suffice. If you're a singer/songwriter (i.e. John Mayer) or an artist (i.e. Shinedown), form SR would cover the sounds of the music, the production, artistic arrangement, etc.Usually, an artist signed to a record deal will have the record company copyright the SR and the publishing wing cover the PA/CO aspect of the copyright.So in a nutshell, you should file two forms. If you're hurting for funds and want to protect both the word and music as well as the sound performance, your best bet is to file form SR, since it's easier to prove that the song's words and music is yours as well since the sound performance captures that. Going the other way, someone can technically alter the sound radically and it would make it harder to prove that it's your song. Albeit, the chances that someone would take your product is rare to none if you're working with credible businesses. Hope this helps.

[hummingbird]

Just flying by to say it is not necessary to file BOTH a SR and a PA. If you wish to register the Sound Recording of an original song and you have not yet registered the Words and Music,file a SR form, and under "Nature of Authorship" put "Words, Music and Sound Recording". This will register both the sound recording and the underlying work.

[cardell]

Thank-you very much, very helpful. Stuart

[claire]

PARight, PA. It's been a while since I filed.