copyrights....

**msPriss** · 08-02-2005, 11:47 AM

hey guys... Just wondering, do any of you know how to copyright something? I have the basic jist of it, but I really dont even know where to start. So if ya'll have any clue at all, let me know. thanks!

**Crowml** · 08-02-2005, 12:57 PM

register with the pantent office. You can always hire a consultant if you think it's a truly marketable idea. If it's just name/text you can just hire an attorney to get it certified for you. (I try to let trained pros do their jobs, it's when one cut corners and tries to learn the legal system or any other giant field, that people really screw things up).

If you really want to do the legwork, jump on Lexis Nexus and do the research, there are different steps for different items.

**Nittanys1** · 08-02-2005, 01:06 PM

what is it your trying to copyright? photo or something else?

**msPriss** · 08-02-2005, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by nittanys1

what is it your trying to copyright? photo or something else?

dont laugh, but i have a few songs im recording on a cd. they are songs that my dad and myself wrote there REALLY good and im just scared that someone will still them. it's already happened to my dad once (cant keep a good man down, by old alabama) so im just tring to avoid that, and make it all legal.

**msPriss** · 08-02-2005, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Crowml

register with the pantent office. You can always hire a consultant if you think it's a truly marketable idea. If it's just name/text you can just hire an attorney to get it certified for you. (I try to let trained pros do their jobs, it's when one cut corners and tries to learn the legal system or any other giant field, that people really screw things up).

If you really want to do the legwork, jump on Lexis Nexus and do the research, there are different steps for different items.

Does that also go for music???

**quickdodge®** · 08-02-2005, 02:56 PM

Copywriting is NOT cheap. It costs quite a bit. I think you have to be in touch with a lawyer(but I'm not sure on that). It also takes awhile. You can get all your info HERE. Later, QD.

**msPriss** · 08-02-2005, 03:37 PM

thanks man, i've been to that website and from what i understood i have to send in a copy of the cd and lyrics to the washington address with 30 dollars. but i dont think it's that easy. i think im missing alot of stuff.... ohwell, i guess ill look in the phone book and see if i cant find some kind of attorney to tell me all the steps.

**Nittanys1** · 08-02-2005, 03:47 PM

to get my pics copy written I put them on a CD and for 30 buxs held the copyright.....still waiting for it to come back...takes a few months...

**coolZero** · 08-02-2005, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by quickdodge®

Copywriting is NOT cheap. It costs quite a bit. I think you have to be in touch with a lawyer(but I'm not sure on that). It also takes awhile. You can get all your info HERE. Later, QD.

Here is the work around - register it as set or work this way you can group them under a collection or compilation ths way one price covers them all. I know because I've done mine. Alternately you can register your words with BMI and your songs. Join BMI and use their tools to generate copyrights.

The poor mans copyright. Send yourself the CD and words via registered mail. Leave it unoppened until when and if you need to use it. It will hold up in a court of law. The postage date, dates the creation of he work.

Build a web page and post all your words there date and post it like a copyright. It doesn't have to be a public page you can use your own ISP. for the sapce most ISPs offer user X amount of web space for "personal" use.

The main goals is to date the creation of your work so as to be the first of its kind.

I have recorded on 3 CD and now have just produced my own recently. So Iv'e been through this before.

Hope it helps

**quickdodge®** · 08-02-2005, 04:37 PM

A real and certified copywright is how I have put it. Later, QD.

**Elroy2002** · 08-03-2005, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by coolZero

Here is the work around - register it as set or work this way you can group them under a collection or compilation ths way one price covers them all. I know because I've done mine. Alternately you can register your words with BMI and your songs. Join BMI and use their tools to generate copyrights.

The poor mans copyright. Send yourself the CD and words via registered mail. Leave it unoppened until when and if you need to use it. It will hold up in a court of law. The postage date, dates the creation of he work.

Build a web page and post all your words there date and post it like a copyright. It doesn't have to be a public page you can use your own ISP. for the sapce most ISPs offer user X amount of web space for "personal" use.

The main goals is to date the creation of your work so as to be the first of its kind.

I have recorded on 3 CD and now have just produced my own recently. So Iv'e been through this before.

Hope it helps

Jessica if your lyrics are as good as your singing then it must be good. He's right though. you need to show when this is dated so that way it will hold up. getting it copywrighted is the right step but you really need to show for now. i took a business law class last semester and you just need to be able to prove that it's yours first and when you did it. oh yeah are they country lyrics? You do know that my sister works for a record label. i can pass these along. call me we'll talk

**uberdude328i** · 08-03-2005, 09:12 AM

Comm. law is difficult, there is a lot of gray/overlapping areas. As far as copyrights and patents go, you need to have some tangible form of your idea, i.e. write it down, date it somehow (the ole hostage picture with the paper is my fav!!!). I'll pull out the books and see what I can find. I'll probably shoot an e-mail to "the authority on Communications Law in the state of Georgia"...seriously, the guy was my teacher and he knows his stuff.

Oh, and poor mans copyright will only do you good if you have the money to take it to the proper court, and that ain't small claims. It is however a great way to date your work and prove the exact date you took "ownership".

**msPriss** · 08-03-2005, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Elroy2002

Jessica if your lyrics are as good as your singing then it must be good. He's right though. you need to show when this is dated so that way it will hold up. getting it copywrighted is the right step but you really need to show for now. i took a business law class last semester and you just need to be able to prove that it's yours first and when you did it. oh yeah are they country lyrics? You do know that my sister works for a record label. i can pass these along. call me we'll talk

yeah josh it's country music, and the songs are really really good. ill let you hear them next time i see you. i dont know if you guys remember the song "cant keep a good man down" Alabama sang it about 15 years ago. well my dad wrote that. so he was a awesome writer, and we just found all of his music, so i have re-writen all the octives to fit my voice, and i should be starting to make my cd in the near future, but yeah if you know anybody, that can explain the "ropes" to me then ill talk to her. Im thinking about maybe in a year or so moveing to nashville, but if i dont have to that would be great! so tell your sister to call me...

**msPriss** · 08-03-2005, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by coolZero

Here is the work around - register it as set or work this way you can group them under a collection or compilation ths way one price covers them all. I know because I've done mine. Alternately you can register your words with BMI and your songs. Join BMI and use their tools to generate copyrights.

The poor mans copyright. Send yourself the CD and words via registered mail. Leave it unoppened until when and if you need to use it. It will hold up in a court of law. The postage date, dates the creation of he work.

Build a web page and post all your words there date and post it like a copyright. It doesn't have to be a public page you can use your own ISP. for the sapce most ISPs offer user X amount of web space for "personal" use.

The main goals is to date the creation of your work so as to be the first of its kind.

I have recorded on 3 CD and now have just produced my own recently. So Iv'e been through this before.

Hope it helps

thanks! yeah i've done the poor-mans copyright but i didnt know if there could be loop-holes, but you've given me alot of good information. but i do have one question... did you record your cd's without a copyright. b/c thats when my dads music was stolen when he was in the studio recording them. so do you think i should put a copyright on the lyrics before i go into the studio?

**coolZero** · 08-03-2005, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by msPriss

thanks! yeah i've done the poor-mans copyright but i didnt know if there could be loop-holes, but you've given me alot of good information. but i do have one question... did you record your cd's without a copyright. b/c thats when my dads music was stolen when he was in the studio recording them. so do you think i should put a copyright on the lyrics before i go into the studio?

Always CYA. I did my CD with a very good friend so when we went to press. All the CDs were copyright marked even the demos during mastering. I used my BMI affilate to date all my stuff.

**msPriss** · 08-03-2005, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by coolZero

Always CYA. I did my CD with a very good friend so when we went to press. All the CDs were copyright marked even the demos during mastering. I used my BMI affilate to date all my stuff.

Where did you do to record your stuff?? i have found one place down here, and they want to charge 150 an hour. so is that good??

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