– Copyright underlying the artwork (the song/composition)
– The copyright of the actual sound recording (for example someone performing a piece of music)
Copyrighting your music is cheaper than you think. The application to copyright one work – be it a song or an entire album – is $35 and can be submitted at copyright.gov. Organizations such as the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts can also help you with such legal matters.
3. Have a Lawyer Look at Your Contract(s)
Ok, not everybody can afford a lawyer, especially those in the early stage of their career. It’s important though, to have someone look at your contract(s) before you actually sign. Again, the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and similar organizations can provide assistance with these issues.
4. Avoid Misappropriation of Your Music Online
At this point, you may be asking yourself “how in the world could I possibly monitor every single piece of music I upload on the Internet?
A couple of recommendations for this:
“digital watermarks and Google Alerts.”
5. Don’t Forget About Your Royalties!
Protecting your music also means taking care of your music royalties. Sign up for SESAC, ASCAP, or BMI — and SoundExchange — to collect different types of royalties from your music and get paid what you deserve.
Disclaimer:
This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice of any kind.
