Should You Be Concerned
About Music Copyright Laws ?
Make Sure You Know Who Has Rights to the
Song
Let's face it ... Who doesn't want to
get their music played on the radio, or maybe even
satellite? And who doesn't want to win a Grammy award
someday for best original song, or best album, or best new
artist for that matter?
Hold On -- Better Learn About The
Music Copyright Law First
But for those of us brand-new in this
business, there is much to learn about music copyright law.
Now that I'm trying to write my own songs, I guess there's
no better time to get an education about the ins and out of
this rather nebulous arena.
How Do Music Copyright Laws Affect
You As A Singer Or Musician?
Learning when and where copyright laws
for songs goes into effect is the place to start.
It's not enough just to find a song
you like, record it, and forget it. Someone else might still
own it!!
You Can Use Happy Birthday
With No Problem
Since the first writing I did was just
penning new tunes to two- and three-hundred year old hymns
at church, I didn't really have much to worry about. I was
using lyrics that were public domain (sort of like "Happy
Birthday" -- when it's public domain, you can sing someone
else's tunes or lyrics without winding up in jail), so I
didn't have to worry about protected rights.
One Answer Is To Rummage Through
The Public Domain
Using these types of songs and lyrics
is the way to go for beginners, but I've advanced beyond
that point now. I'm trying to write my own stuff, and I
don't want someone else getting credit for it, which is why
I needed to find out how the copyright law for music
works.
Why Have Music Copyright
Laws?
These laws protect composers,
publishers, and arrangers from having their work stolen or
tampered with in any way.
How Long Do They Last?
In essence, United States music
copyright law guarantees that the creator/owner of the
original material has the exclusive rights to that material
as long as they're alive, plus 50 years!
For songs written before 1978, the
time frame is 75 years. That way, the creative folks that
penned their own songs and lyrics get all the credit for
them, as well as any monetary gain from their sale or
broadcast. It's a really good system, if you ask
me.
The Other Side Is That Your Songs
Are Protected Under The Music Copyright Laws
Too!
The best way to protect what you've
written, what some call your "intellectual property," is to
register what your songs or lyrics with the appropriate
government agency.
Get Legal Advice
A good attorney is really worth your
time in this regard, even if it's just in the capacity of
advising you on how and where to start. The Internet is full
of resources and references for music copyright laws,
including some well-known sites that can give you
step-by-step information on safeguarding your work, all of
which can be done online. And you can find attorneys who
specialize in our business (that's where I found my
lawyer).
Now, Take Pen In Hand And Protect
What You've Written
So I'm glad that I did a little bit of
homework, and I'm hoping that when Steven Spielberg decides
to use what I've written as the soundtrack for his next
summer blockbuster, I'll be ready to sit back, relax, and
watch those lovely royalty checks flow right into my
mailbox! Written your first song yet?
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