How to copyright music in 3 steps

You’ve spent hours working on a new song, playing around with the words and melody until the notes hit just right. You’ve booked a few hours at the recording studio to lay down your track. Congratulations! The hardest part is over. But there’s one more thing you need to do before sharing your music with the world. If you want to make money from your music and avoid major legal headaches down the road, you’ll want to get song copyright so no one can claim your music as their own.

Every country has its own process for registering copyrights, so do your homework to make sure you’ve covered your bases. If you’re copyrighting songs in the U.S., this easy guide will get you started.

Why is it so important to register my copyright?

Copyrighting your work will help you rest easier at night knowing that no one else can steal your music. But if money and fame are your goals, copyright can help you get there.

Holding the copyright to your work gives you much more control over how it’s used and monetized. You can perform it however and wherever you want, and you have control over who’s allowed to create derivative work like remixes and medleys. You’re also in control of where, when, and how your song gets distributed and in what formats – this one’s important, since distributing your music opens the door to streaming and download royalties, physical album sales, and any other revenue you might earn when someone else wants to profit off your tracks.

If someone does ever claim your original work as their own, you’ll have a far easier time starting a copyright infringement lawsuit than you would if you hadn’t registered your song. Plus, your lawsuit will move faster and make you eligible for a higher payout.

The two types of music copyrights

Before you take the first step toward getting copyright, you need to figure out which kind is right for you. When it comes to music copyright law, there are two categories that might apply: musical works and sound recordings.

A musical work is a song created by a songwriter and composer. It’s the on-paper version of a song – the rhythms, melodies, lyrics, and any other elements that come together to make a unique piece of music.

A sound recording, on the other hand, is just what it sounds like – it’s the track that’s created when you record your music in a physical or digital format. While the person or people who wrote the song get credit for musical works, sound recordings belong to the producer and performer.

How to copyright your music in 3 steps

Have we convinced you that registering your music with the U.S. Copyright Office is worth your while? When you’re ready to get started, follow this guide to learn how to get a song copyrighted in three simple steps.

• Compile evidence that proves the music is yours: It’s not enough to promise the USCO that a song you’re trying to register is yours – they’ll want tangible proof. Publishing your sound recording on a streaming app or social media platform will give your piece a timestamp so you can prove your song existed before any bootleg copies came out. It’s wise to wait until your copyright is registered to launch your music publicly, so change your sharing settings to private, or share it with a trusted group of listeners – what’s important here is getting a timestamp that shows you were the first to publish the track.
• Start the registration process: Complete an application and send it to the USCO along with the filing fee and a copy of the work.
• Start earning royalties: Even if you’re already earning royalties on streaming platforms like Spotify, consider signing up with a performing rights organization (PRO) to make sure you’re getting everything you’re owed. These organizations collect royalties for everything from broadcasts to public performances and karaoke bars.

FAQs

What parts of a musical composition can you actually own?

Arrangements can’t be copyrighted, but you can copyright song lyrics and the underlying tunes. It’s harder to claim ownership of harmonies and rhythms, since there’s a finite number of note and beat combinations for musicians to work with

What is the "Poor Man’s Copyright”?

Before modifications were made to the Copyright Act, American musicians would sometimes make a physical recording of their music, package it up and ship it to themselves, using the postmark to prove they were the original copyright holder. This tactic was dubbed the “Poor Man’s Copyright,” and it’s still used in parts of the world today. The USCO no longer honors this method of timestamping, so stick to publishing on streaming platforms and social media.

How do I make money from my composition copyright?

The most straightforward way to make money from your copyrighted works is by collecting royalties (or having a PRO collect them on your behalf). Think of royalties as a kind of rent others pay for the privilege of using your song. It’s one thing to earn money on record and ticket sales, but getting passive income from royalties can be a major boost.

Do I need to copyright my music?

Copyrighting songs isn’t mandatory, but you’ll be very glad you did if you ever enter into a lawsuit over ownership. And it’s not just about establishing intellectual property and copyright protection. Royalties are one of the best possible income streams for musicians – and you can’t start earning them until you can show you’re the owner of your songs.