This is part three of a series of posts on how to set up your band for business.

Copyright Your Songs.

The copyrights in your songs and recordings are what make the world of the music business go around.  When you license your song for use in a TV show or a film, you are giving someone the right to use the copyright of your song in return for payment. We lawyers use the word “exploit” when we talk about how money is made on a copyright or other intellectual property.  A copyright is a form of intellectual property and you own it, want the world to know you own it, want to exploit it for profit, and be sure no one else exploits it for profit without paying you for it.

You automatically have a copyright when you song is “fixed” under the copyright law.  Fixed can mean, for example, writing it down on a piece of paper, recording it onto a cassette tape or computer. Actual registration is much better than just relying on the automatic copyright upon fixation.  Registration actually allows you to collect statutory damages and attorney fees if someone infringes on your copyright without permission.  It is very easy to do and well worth the time and effort.  You can do this yourself on the government website using form CO.

Part Four: Choose Your Band Legal Entity

Or, Back To The Beginning

Todd Murphy is a Music and Entertainment Lawyer based in Jersey City, NJ.  He represents musical artists in all genres such as rock, dance, electronic, pop, hip-hop, punk, new wave, jazz and classical. Click here for Artist Inquiries.