Copyright Registration for Songs and Music Albums

Name: Copyright Registration for Songs and Music Albums
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Step-by-step guide to US copyright registration of music and sound recordings, including the new (2021) GRAM application

Created byThomas James

Last updated 8/2021

English

What you'll learn

Save hundreds of dollars, possible over a thousand dollars, on copyright registrations
Ensure you are using the correct form to register your copyright so your application is not delayed or rejected
Ensure you are sending the correct deposit, in the correct form, in the correct way
Avoid common mistakes than can hold a registration up for months or even years
Understand the meanings of key terms like "derivative work," "publication," "work made for hire," "collective work," and "best edition"
Complete a US copyright application to register claims in music, sound recordings, or both
Complete a US copyright application to register a claim in an entire album of music or sound recordings

Course content

6 sections • 22 lectures • 1h 35m total length

Introduction6:41
Meet the instructor, copyright attorney Tom James, with a brief introduction to the course: what it covers and what it does not. This is not a copyright law course; it is designed to teach you how to register a US copyright in music, sound recordings, and albums of them. The course also is not legal advice. Although the instructor is an attorney, I have not reviewed the specific details of any particular case, so instruction is made without regard to the specifics of your case or your particular circumstances.

Why register a copyright?0:42
This lecture summarizes the principal reasons to register a copyright.
The 3 kinds of music copyrights1:00
Musical works, sound recordings, and compilations of them are different kinds of authorship. They are each separate and distinct kinds of copyright claims.
Publication2:17
"Publication" has a unique meaning in copyright law. It might not mean what you think it does. This lecture explains what "publication" means for purposes of completing an application to register a copyright.
Derivative works0:37
Works made for hire1:13
Filing methods0:41
This lecture describes your filing options (electronic vs. paper) and explains the advantages of electronic filing.
The deposit requirement0:46
When you apply to register a copyright, you will have to submit a copy or copies of the work you are registering. This lecture describes the requirements, including when you need to upload a digital copy and when you may need to mail in physical copies.
The "best edition" requirement1:02
This lecture explains when you have to give the Copyright Office a copy or copies of the "best edition" of a work, and what that means for music and sound recordings.
Acceptable file types0:35
When you upload a deposit copy electronically, the file must meet Copyright Office specifications. This lecture tells you what they are.
Adverse claim registration0:43
Preregistration1:46
What it is, when you can and should do it, and how much it costs.
The different kinds of applications0:26

The Single Application16:52
This lecture describes the eligibility requirements for the Single Application and explains how to use it to register one work by one author who is also the claimant.
The Standard Application9:56
This lecture explains what to do when you want to register one a work but it does not qualify for the Single Application, setting out the eligibility requirements for the Standard Application.
Group Registration of Unpublished Works (GRUW)9:58
Group Registration of an Album of Published Music (GRAM)18:08
This lecture explains how to save hundreds of dollars by registering a group of up to 20 musical works that have been published on the same album together, and describes the eligibility requirements for the Copyright Office's new GRAM application.
Group Registration of an Album of Published Sound Recordings6:38
This lecture explains how to save hundreds of dollars by registering a group of sound recordings that have been published on the same album together using r the Copyright Office's new GRAM application.
Collective Works3:07
This lecture discusses the option of registering music or sound recordings together as a collective work, including the advantages, disadvantages risks involved.

Denials and appeals2:56
Here you will learn what happens after you file, how long the Copyright Office normally takes to process an application, how long you have to respond to correspondence from the Copyright Office, and you administrative and judicial review options in the event your application is denied, either in whole or in part.

Note that the U.S. Copyright Office's processing times, particularly for paper applications and applications with physical deposits, have been slowed considerably as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

How to File a Declaration of Ownership in Musical Works (DOMW)9:02
Understand what a Declaration of Ownership in Musical Works is and how to use it to ensure you receive the royalties to which you are entitled when someone records a cover version of your song.
NOTE: The Musical Works Modernization Act changes the way compulsory licenses to make and distribute copies of cover versions of songs are obtained. For physical copies (CDs and vinyl), the procedure remains as described in this lecture. In 2021, a different procedure is being implemented for obtaining compulsory licenses to make cover versions of songs and distribute them digitally online.

Requirements

An interest in protecting copyrights in music and/or sound recordings

Description

Taught by a copyright attorney, this no-fluff, no-nonsense course is for people who already know they want to register copyrights in music, recordings, or both, in the United States and just want to understand how to do it correctly.

If you are looking for an exposition of the history and development of copyright law, an in-depth analysis of substantive copyright law, and relentless pitches to persuade you of the need to register your copyrights, then this is not the course for you. The material is presented on the assumption that you already understand that the copyrights in songs and recordings are potentially very valuable and why you should register the copyrights in your music.

The first part of the course provides information about the registration process and the meanings of critical terms you will need to know, Key concepts such as derivative work, work made for hire, publication, and best edition are explained in just enough detail to enable the average person to understand how to complete an application. The specific requirements the U.S. Copyright Office has established for deposit copies of music and sound recordings are laid out. You will also learn about the various options that are available for registering copyrights in music and sound recordings, including the new (in 2021) GRAM application for registering music albums.

The second part of the course takes you to the U.S. Copyright Office website, where I will walk you through the application process step-by-step. beginning with the Single Application for one work by one author, proceeding through the Standard application, the GRUW (group of unpublished works) application, the GRAM application for music (group of published musical works on an album), and the GRAM application for sound recordings. It concludes with a brief discussion of collective work registration - the advantages, disadvantages, and potential pitfalls. Eligibility and deposit requirements for each kind of application are provided.

Part 3 describes what happens, or can happen, after you file. Here you will learn how long you can expect to wait, how long you have to respond if the Copyright Office contacts you about your application, how you can challenge a denial of registration, and some things to consider before you do.

Note that the U.S. Copyright Office's processing times, particularly for paper applications and applications with physical deposits, have been slowed considerably as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also note that the Music Modernization Act goes into effect in 2021. This changes the procedure for obtaining compulsory licenses to make and distribute copies of a song digitally online. The NOI procedure for obtaining a compulsory license to make and distribute physical copies (e.g., CD-ROM or vinyl) remains as described in Lecture 22.

Who this course is for:

Songwriters
Musicians and recording artists
Recording companies
Music publishers
Copyright owners
Attorneys and agents

Copyright Registration for Songs and Music Albums

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 7min

Music Copyrights and the Registration Process12 lectures • 12min

Step-by-step guide to completing the application form and submitting the deposit6 lectures • 1hr 5min

What happens next1 lecture • 3min

Conclusion1 lecture • 1min

Bonus Lecture - How to File a Declaration of Ownership in Musical Works (DOMW)1 lecture • 9min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: