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Hey all. I just finished my first full length record, and I have all of the tracks mastered without vocals as well. Does each version count as a different track, as far as the PROs are concerned? Or is it simply “Song A (Instrumental)”? I recognize that there is still a copyright inherit in the recording itself, but is there a separate copyright as a composition, considering the track has no lyrics?
Thanks!
-Eli
Hey Eli,
First, congratulations on completing your first full length record.
Each version should have a different name with your PRO (BMI) and only needs one name with the copyright office.
For PROs (I’m with BMI) register the original title (ie: “A Great Song”) and then add alternate titles (ie: “A Great Song Instrumental”). This way, when either title shows up on a cue sheet, you’ll get your money.
When using copyright form SR (sound recording) you can copyright the underlying aspects of your songs: composition, performance, arrangement, sound recording of your CD. So that essentially would cover you for any version of that one title (alternate mixes; cut-down versions and instrumental beds). You’ll see this under “Author Created” on the copyright form online.
Paul
Just in case you don’t know, you can’t sign either just the instrumental or vocal version exclusively to a library and then sign the other with other libraries. I’ve seen people get this confused. Your exclusivity would apply to all alt mixes unless you have some written exception.
Related question:
Let’s say I have a music bed track used for several different lyrics and melodies – would each song with lyrics just be an “alt” version of the same song, and how would you write that out?Scenario two:
Same different lyrics and melodies, plus the arrangement has differences (one has strings, another has rhodes, etc) – Would these be alt or separate songs?Scenario three:
5 songs use the same drum track, but have completely different arrangements and orchestrations. Can these be separate releases?Thank you. I’m a newbie here and appreciate the input!