Copyright : what do you use ?

[dropdalex]

Hey all,

For the past years, I've been using this french (I live in France) copyrighting website : www.copyrightfrance.com
They charge 12€ everytime, and you can copyright how much as you want, you just send the lyrics and mp3 files.

I'm wondering if this protects my work outside of France though...
What do you use ?

Thanks a lot !

Alex.

[cardell]

Hi Alex,

I live in Australia but I've been using the online system at the U.S. Copyright Office:
http://www.copyright.gov/

Stuart

[dropdalex]

Thanks a lot, Stuart.

The thing I'm worried about is that they say there's a $35 fee PER application, and each application can only contain ONE work, unless it can be considered a collection.
I'd have something like 80+ pieces of music to register, so I obviously can't pay 35x80....
What do you do? Do you register your work as collections of several songs ?
And then you get a certificate listing the titles of all the songs registered?

[T&V Marino]

Hi Alex,

Yes, you may register collections of music for 1 flat fee. Unless things have changed, you need to put the songs on 1 CD, and so that usually limits you to about 30-40 songs (or whatever fills up the 80-minute disc). If anyone else has a different experience (for instance if DVDs and flash drives are acceptable now), let's hear it.

Also, it takes approximately 1-2 years to receive your certificate, even if you do it online. However, the work is officially considered copyrighted on the date they RECEIVE all of the data, even if there are delays, problems, or questions on the Copyright Office's end.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

~ Tracey & Vance Marino

[Brian Curtin]

Hey Alex,

The last collection I registered was done completely online. You fill out the forms and then upload your MP3s. (You have to create a online user account first). I filed the collection (150 tracks) in May and got my certificate in November. The certificate of registration that came in the mail lists all the contents of the collection, which can come in handy for future reference.

Here’s some info from the site:

http://www.copyright.gov/

eCO Online System
File a copyright registration for your work through the Copyright Office online system.
Before using the service, we recommend you first read eCO Acceptable File Types, eCO Tips, eCO FAQs, or eCO Tutorial (PowerPoint) eCO Tutorial (PDF). For recently added features, see eCO Updates.
Advantages include:
• Lower filing fee of $35 for a basic claim (for online filings only)
• Fastest processing time
• Online status tracking
• Secure payment by credit or debit card, electronic check, or Copyright Office deposit account
• The ability to upload certain categories of deposits directly into eCO as electronic files
• Available 24 hours a day, except for routine maintenance every Sunday from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 AM Eastern Time
Processing Time: The time the Copyright Office requires to process an application varies, depending on the number of applications the Office is receiving and clearing at the time of submission and the extent of questions associated with the application.
Current Processing Times
Login to eCO:

[suzdoyle]

Ditto on the batch copyright option online at the U.S. copyright office. It used to be song titles weren't searchable individually if copyrighted as part of a collection; however, now you can copyright one batch and ALSO list the separate song titles -- very handy! Quick 'n' easy!

,
Suz