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How to Obtain Music Copyright Licenses & Royalties

by Ida Millsaps

  • Overview

    When you've written a piece of music and want to shop it around to other artists or record and perform the music for the general public yourself, it is imperative that you copyright your work. Once a song has been used in a public performance or broadcast, it's open to the world and prime to be used by others. Getting paid for your work isn't as difficult as you'd think. There are a couple of ways to protect your songs and actually get paid for the use of your music.
    Protect your songs and get paid for the use of your music.
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  • Copyright Your Music

 

  • Step 1

    Write or record your original music on a piece of paper or transfer your audio recording onto a CD, cassette or DAT tape. Or, if you choose to register your music electronically online, you'll need your work saved with a program like Word if you don't have the audio file or as an MP3, MIDI or WAV file or similar file type acceptable by the Copyright Office.

  • Step 2

    Go to http://www.copyright.gov/.

  • Step 3

    Click on "Registration."

  • Step 4

    Sign up for an account and get a valid username and password.

  • Step 5

    Log in and upload your files and information, and use the secure form to enter your credit card information.

  • Registering With Paper Forms

    • Step 1

      Write or record your original music on a piece of paper or transfer your audio recording onto a CD, cassette or DAT tape.

    • Step 2

      Call the Copyright Office at 202-707-3000 and request the paper forms to register your music.

    • Step 3

      Fill out the forms and include your full piece of music in whatever form you have available, along with a check or money order for the processing and registration fees.

    • Step 4

      Using proper postage, mail your work to the Copyright Office. U.S. Copyright Office 101 Independence Ave. S.E. Washington, D.C. 20559-6000 (202) 707-3000

  • BMI, ASCAP and SESAC

    • Step 1

      Choose a performance rights organization. BMI, ASCAP or SESAC.

    • Step 2

      Register online with BMI or ASCAP. Both groups are both non-profit organizations that secure royalties for writers and publishers.

    • Step 3

      Begin adding songs to your personal database with your organization of choice after you have established approval.
    • 3
    • Once a song is copyrighted, getting paid for the use of your intellectual property is an entirely separate matter that is handled by BMI, ASCAP or SESAC. While all three organizations have websites that make it possible for you to apply for affiliation online, a performer can only be registered with one representing company at a time. Once you have become a member, you will be able to register each song with the organization, enter it into your personal music catalog and the performance rights company begins their job in keeping track of your work and your payment for its use. BMI and ASCAP are both non-for-profit companies, whereas SESAC charges a fee and you must be able to make it through their selection process.
    • Once a song is copyrighted, getting paid for the use of your intellectual property is an entirely separate matter that is handled by BMI, ASCAP or SESAC. While all three organizations have websites that make it possible for you to apply for affiliation online, a performer can only be registered with one representing company at a time. Once you have become a member, you will be able to register each song with the organization, enter it into your personal music catalog and the performance rights company begins their job in keeping track of your work and your payment for its use. BMI and ASCAP are both non-for-profit companies, whereas SESAC charges a fee and you must be able to make it through their selection process.
    • Some people tout the virtues of "The Poor Man's Copyright," but there are no known cases of the method standing up in court. With modern technology, there are too many ways to falsify the documentation and it does not serve as a legal and binding document. The only benefit, if any, is that you will be able to show additional documentation in the event of a dispute. It does NOT supercede a copyright, nor does it carry the same weight. There is no substitution for a legal and binding copyright with United States Copyright Office.
    • Some people tout the virtues of "The Poor Man's Copyright," but there are no known cases of the method standing up in court. With modern technology, there are too many ways to falsify the documentation and it does not serve as a legal and binding document. The only benefit, if any, is that you will be able to show additional documentation in the event of a dispute. It does NOT supercede a copyright, nor does it carry the same weight.
    • There is no substitution for a legal and binding copyright with United States Copyright Office.
    • USUnited States

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