| Copyright Now or Cry Later by Nancy Prager |
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| Posted by David Rose | |
| Wednesday, 17 October 2007 | |
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Intellectual Property Law 101: Copyright Now or Cry Later by Nancy Prager. Whether you pursue the label route or self-release, it is important to realize that the "thing" that you create as an artist is a product, which must be protected. Your songs, music and even your image are all classified as "Intellectual Property" and qualify for a variety of legal protections to ensure that it not be stolen or misused by someone else. As an artist, it is your most important and valuable asset and it is not enough to rely on your managers, agents, or even lawyers, to protect your interests in the works you create. http://www.musiciansatlas.com/newsletter/oct05/copyright10_05.htm
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  written by Gary E. Andrews, November 15, 2007 Write comment
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 29 December 2008 ) |
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Copyright registration is your locking gas cap. You own your copyright from the moment you put the property into 'fixed form.' But rights obtain to you by registration that you can get no other way. For example, registration enables you to recover attorneys' fees, a big motivation for a lawyer to take your case. And a big disincentive if you didn't register, giving a lawyer something to work with to make your case. If you want to sue someone for infringement, using your song/composition without your permission, only registration gives you that right. Failure to register prohibits you from bringing suit. Registration enables you to compel a mechanical license, worth a minimum, if I recall, of $10,000.00. Registration is just good business practice, and good sense. www.copyright.gov in the USA. There are others in other nations and most of them are subject to international agreements to cover you there if you register in your home country.