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I have a friend from school who's possibly going places. He has a manager, and he's said before that his manager is really picky about what he 'puts out there'. Basically I wanna know how I should pitch a song to him; should I just have him record a demo and send it to his manager? How do I keep myself from getting the song stolen or something? Is it ok for me to put another version of the song on the internet somewhere?

Anyone have any idea about this stuff?

NaeDae wrote:I have a friend from school who's possibly going places. He has a manager, and he's said before that his manager is really picky about what he 'puts out there'. Basically I wanna know how I should pitch a song to him; should I just have him record a demo and send it to his manager? How do I keep myself from getting the song stolen or something? Is it ok for me to put another version of the song on the internet somewhere?

Anyone have any idea about this stuff?

First, protect your song by copyrighting the words and music with the US Library of Congress.

Second, your friend is the artist. If he's interested in recording a demo of a song to show to his manager, then that's cool. If not, then be respectful and let it go for now. He may be kindly trying to tell you the song isn't good enough or, that he's not comfortable pitching a song from a friend to his picky manager, or that he doesn't want to rock the boat at this early point in his career by suggesting something his manager might not like.

I would wait to post the song anywhere until you've figured out the situation. If it is to be used they may want to have certain rights and not have the song broadcast somewhere already.

That's just my take on it.
HTH

hummingbird wrote:

NaeDae wrote:I have a friend from school who's possibly going places. He has a manager, and he's said before that his manager is really picky about what he 'puts out there'. Basically I wanna know how I should pitch a song to him; should I just have him record a demo and send it to his manager? How do I keep myself from getting the song stolen or something? Is it ok for me to put another version of the song on the internet somewhere?

Anyone have any idea about this stuff?

First, protect your song by copyrighting the words and music with the US Library of Congress.

Second, your friend is the artist. If he's interested in recording a demo of a song to show to his manager, then that's cool. If not, then be respectful and let it go for now. He may be kindly trying to tell you the song isn't good enough or, that he's not comfortable pitching a song from a friend to his picky manager, or that he doesn't want to rock the boat at this early point in his career by suggesting something his manager might not like.

I would wait to post the song anywhere until you've figured out the situation. If it is to be used they may want to have certain rights and not have the song broadcast somewhere already.

That's just my take on it.
HTH

Is it free to have something copyrighted? And how do I do that?

http://www.copyright.gov/eco/notice.html

Here is the library of Congress online forms.

$35 for one song i believe but I usually do collections which are $55. Make sure all lyrics are typed up. Go through the instructions to make sure all forms are filled out correctly.

No, it's not free to register a copyright with the Library of Congress. It's $35US for an online registration.

Here's a blog I wrote a while ago,
http://wisebird.blogspot.ca/2005/12/poo ... ended.html

In this case you would copyright the Words and Music (not the Sound Recording). You can do this by uploading the lead sheet and mp3 and completing form PA
http://www.copyright.gov/register/sound.html

The cost for one song may be prohibitive but if you register a collection it becomes more money-wise.

Just a reminder, your song is copyright as soon as you put it in tangible form, the purpose of a registration is to have a registration date for that copyright.

Further note - I am not a lawyer, please read the instructions and do your research, consult an entertainment lawyer if you need expert advice