An Overview - Copyright Music

When you have a catchy melody and words that perfectly capture a situation, you can't wait to put them together in a song. As soon as you finish something, you want to broadcast it to the world. Hold on, and before you do anything else, ask yourself, ‘Do you need to copyright your song?’

The simple answer is no, you do not. You have the legal right to make copies of your song once you have written the lyrics and recorded it. As soon as you record your song, you own the rights to it. However, there is a catch: rights are not unqualified. There is no way to prove that you wrote that song, even with a recording.

When this happens, copyright registration can help. By registering your song's copyright, you can:

• Play that song anywhere, anytime
• Make money by making copies of that song and selling them
• Get paid if someone else uses that song.

Copyright Protection

Copyright protection is a legal right that gives the owner of an original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution. In the context of music, copyright protection applies to both the musical composition (the melody, harmony, and lyrics) and the sound recording (the performance of the composition).

What Music Is Eligible for Copyright Protection?

To be eligible for copyright protection, a musical work must be original and fixed in a tangible medium of expression. This means that the work must be created by the author and not copied from someone else, and it must be recorded in some way, such as in sheet music, a recording, or a digital file.

Benefits of Song Copyright

Copyright registration protects authors from financial loss. Copyright protection prevents losses from duplicated works. Piracy is copyright infringement. All Indians know the term. Most major cities sell 'pirated' books, DVDs, and music videos. These shoddy books cause publishers and authors huge losses. Peer-to-peer networks illegally share movies and software.

Song copyright registration provides legal protections. Registered works are protected. Without registration, proving ownership in court is difficult. A filmmaker may remake an earlier film. Without copyright registration, proving plagiarism in court is difficult. The creator must show authenticity.

Copyright protection deters others from using your work without permission. Send a ‘cease and desist’ notice if someone copies your work. So you can avoid legal issues later. Time and money are saved.

Copyright law encourages creativity and innovation. IT companies can spend millions on new software. Copyright law ensures it can profit from its efforts. Music companies can create new music without fear of piracy.

Copyright registration protects creators/authors' reputations by protecting original work. A composer or author can prevent shoddy copies of their work, preventing reputation loss. Copyright protection gives the holder the prestige of owning a work.

Documents Required for Copyright Music in India

Get a document checklist to register song copyright in India from top experts. Enjoy a smooth song copyright process right from the start.

• Two soft copies of work
• Demand draft
• NOC from publisher
• NOC from the author (if the applicant is not the author)

How to Copyright Music on YouTube?

To copyright music on YouTube, you must first own the rights to the music you upload. This means you must either have written the music yourself or have permission from the original creator to use it.

To get YouTube copyright registration for music, you can do the following:

• Enable Content ID: YouTube's Content ID system allows you to claim ownership of your music and set rules for how it can be used on the platform. This means that if someone else uploads your music, you will be notified and can take action if necessary.
• Use a music distribution service: Services like CD Baby or TuneCore allow you to register your music with a music database, which helps you to track and protect your music online.
• Use a music licensing service: Services like Audiam or Songtrust help you to license your music to others who want to use it in their videos or projects.
• Use a copyright watermark: You can use a watermark or logo on your music to identify yourself as the owner and discourage others from using your music without permission.

It's important to note that YouTube copyright registration is automatic, so you don't need to take any specific steps to protect your music. However, the above steps can help you to better manage and enforce your rights online.

How to Copyright Music in India Online?

1. Obtain Form XIV: The applicant must obtain Form XIV, which is the application form for copyright registration. The form can be downloaded from the copyright website of the Government of India or can be obtained from the Copyright Office.
2. Fill the Form XIV: The applicant should fill in the required details in Form XIV, including the title and description of the work, name and address of the owner, and details of any other authors or contributors involved in creating the work.
3. Pay the Prescribed Fee: The applicant should pay the prescribed fee for copyright registration along with the application.
4. Obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC): If the owner applies for copyright, they should file the No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the other authors, i.e. lyricist or composer or producer, if any, involved in making the song.
5. Sign the Form XIV: The applicant should sign Form XIV before submitting it for registration.
6. Send the Application: The application can be sent to the Registrar of Copyrights by post or can be filed online on the copyright website of the Government of India.
7. Notice to Interested Parties: The applicant must give notice to every person who claims to have an interest in the subject matter of the copyright.
8. Registrar's Enquiry: If the Registrar is satisfied with the correctness of the particulars given in the application, and he receives no objection within thirty days of filing the application, they shall make an entry of the copyright in his Register. If dissatisfied with the correctness of the particulars made in the application, they shall hold an enquiry. The Registrar can accept/reject the application based on the enquiry and after giving an opportunity of being heard to the applicant.
9. Objection to Application: When the Registrar receives any objection to the application, an opportunity of being heard is provided to the parties. After making an enquiry and hearing to the parties, they may enter the particulars in the Register.
10. Registration of Copyright: The registration is complete when the Registrar signs the copy of the entry of the copyright in his Register.

You can easily cut the queue by opting for startupa2z.com’s copyright registration services. We can complete the whole registration process quickly without much hassle.

Types of Copyright Music

There are two main types of copyrighted music:

• Musical composition: This is the underlying song, which includes the melody, harmony, and lyrics. The copyright in a musical composition gives the owner the exclusive right to reproduce the work, distribute copies of the work, create derivative works based on the work, and perform the work publicly.
• Sound recording: This is the actual recording of a musical performance. The copyright in a sound recording gives the owner the exclusive right to reproduce the recording, distribute copies of the recording, and publicly perform the recording.

Term of Copyright

The term of copyright protection for music varies depending on the country. In the United States, the copyright in a musical composition lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. The copyright in a sound recording lasts for 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation, whichever is shorter.

Ownership in a Song

The ownership of a song can be complex and depends on a number of factors, such as who wrote the song, who recorded the song, and who published the song. In general, the copyright in a musical composition is owned by the author or authors of the work, while the copyright in a sound recording is owned by the record label or the producer of the recording.

It is important for musicians and songwriters to understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to copyright ownership. This can help them to protect their work and ensure that they are compensated for their creativity.

Conclusion

Copyright registration is an important step for musicians and songwriters to protect their work and ensure they receive the credit and compensation they deserve. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, understanding the basics of copyright can help you navigate the music industry more effectively.

For any copyright queries and assistance, feel free to reach out to startupa2z.com. Our experts are here to help you secure your musical creations and navigate the complexities of copyright law.