The Two Copyrights — Sound Recording vs Songwriting

A copyright is "the exclusive legal right, given to an originator to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same."

In music, every song actually has two separate copyrights:

• Sound Recording Copyright — protects the master. As an independent artist you own this. Anyone who wants to sample or rerecord your song needs your permission.
• Songwriting Copyright — protects the composition: lyrics, melody, notes. This belongs to the songwriters / producers (the publisher).

It is essential that you register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office. If you ever have a dispute in court, the registration solidifies your claim.

Song ideas cannot be copyrighted — only complete works.

Action Items

• Bookmark the U.S. Copyright Office (copyright.gov)
• Budget the registration fee per release
• Decide if you'll register per song or per album group