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Hi,
I am a newbie and have checked all the newbie sections but can’t find answers to a few questions… I am getting ready to submit some songs, cues and instrumental tracks to music libraries so I recently copyrighted them. When it came to the question, I selected the collection as published but don’t know if that was a good or bad decision or what the ramifications are. I did get the Registration.
–Will music libraries be less likely to be interested if the material is published?
–Will I have other responsibilities for collecting revenue if I am the publisher, even if a music library has placed the track?
— Also, I have not signed up with a PRO yet, still trying to decide between ASCAP & BMI, and am wondering if I should sign up as the publisher as well as the composer?
–What does it actually mean to be the Publisher these days?
My main interest is in having the tracks placed but I may post some with videos on you tube or submit some to Spotify or Alternative Radio. I am the composer and only artist on all the music. Any insight would be really helpful, ThanksWhen you register a copyright as a collection the entire collection is given one registration number as if it were a single work with multiple parts. That’s OK if you are retaining ownership of the music. For example, if you are putting the music into non-exclsuive royalty free libraries and you are the publisher.
If, on the other hand, you are planning on pitching these tracks to exclusive libraries, who may want to own the copyright, you have a problem, especially if library A is interested in one track, library B is interested in another, and library C in yet another. Unless your music is truly spectacular it may be a situation that a library wouldn’t want to deal with.
I am more concerned about the question of “published” collection, whether that is the appropriate way to go
I do a fair amount of copyrighting – and I copyright before my music is published. Published, as I understand it, basically means the music has been performed, been broadcast etc.
In your case, you would select “published” if your music had been performed, broadcast, etc.
I don’t know the ramifications of selecting published if the music is in fact, non-published. I would call the copyright office and ask.
Published, as I understand it, basically means the music has been performed, been broadcast etc.Published, as I understand it, basically means the music has been performed, been broadcast etc.
In out context, as soon as you upload a track into the marketplace (a library) and offer it for sale it is published (or perform it as Paolo said).
If a work has been published, the Copyright Office requires that you file copies of the “published work” with the registration. This includes digital distribution such as online sales.
the ramifications of going that route mean in this day and age of posting music online and submitting to various agencies or libraries.
There should be few ramifications or complications if none of the agencies or libraries is asking to administer or share your publishing. In that event they would most likely retitle the work.
Also if signing up as a publisher with a PRO what additional responsibilities do I have?
If you sign up as publisher, you have to register the works with your PRO as you would for your writer’s share.
Generally, as with writers, PRO’s do not accept cue sheets from publishers. But, you do have to make sure that anyone filing a cue sheet on your behalf includes your writer AND publisher shares.
The other option is to not register as a publisher, but to claim the publisher’s share when you register your tracks with your PRO.
Just a note with respect to my posts here: what I offer is my opinion only and does not constitute any form of legal advice.
@mfaith2, there really are no simple answers to your questions. My questions to you would be the following:
1) What are you trying to accomplish?
2) What are you trying to avoid?
3) What options are you trying to preserve (and why)?There are no “one-size-fits-all” answers. The practical answers might be different depending on whether the works involved are songs with lyrics, royalty free instrumentals, or TV cues.
Shortcuts involve risk. You should discuss your situation with an attorney.
… as you upload a track into the marketplace (a library) and offer it for sale it is published
thank you Michael L – I didn’t know uploading to a library = published.
I didn’t know uploading to a library = published.
See:
The definition of “publication” in the U.S. copyright law does not specifically address online transmission. However, “publication” may include the public distribution of copies by means of electronic transmission (e.g., over the internet). The applicant, who knows the facts surrounding distribution of copies of a work, must determine whether the work has been published or not (read more).see:
https://www.copyright.gov/eco/help-publication.htmland see:
If a work has been published, the Copyright Office requires that you file copies of the “published work” with the registration.
I’ll amend my answer on this point. There is apparently a deposit exception for “online only” works, based on a 2010 interim regulation. I’d want to confirm that’s still the case.
The Copyright Office had concerns that the tracks were individual and let me know that to be a published collection you have to prove that “all of the tracks must have been first distributed to the public together as a digital album” either digitally or on a CD.
Yes, that is correct. The collection must actually be a collection. Have your “best editions” been accepted?
I’m curious. I know that libraries ask you to aver that you are the copyright owner. Which libraries are actually requiring proof?
Generally, libraries require that you indemnify them against any allegations of infringement.
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