Module 1.2

While copyright protection is automatic, registering your works with the U.S. Copyright Office provides crucial legal benefits. Registration creates a public record of your copyright claim and is required if you ever need to sue for infringement.

• •*Benefits of Copyright Registration:**
• •*Legal Advantages:**
• •Required to file infringement lawsuits in U.S. courts
• •Eligible for statutory damages (up to $150,000 per work)
• •Eligible for attorney's fees in successful lawsuits
• •Public record of your copyright claim
• •Legal presumption of ownership
• •Protection against innocent infringement defense
• •*Business Benefits:**
• •Increases credibility with industry professionals
• •Required for certain licensing deals
• •Protects your catalogue's value
• •Simplifies ownership verification
• •Essential for selling your catalogue
• •Important for estate planning
• •*When to Register:**
• •*Best Practice:**

Register within 3 months of publication (release) to maximize legal protections.

• •*Priority Situations:**
• •Before releasing music commercially
• •Before major promotional campaigns
• •Before pitching for sync licensing
• •When collaborating with others
• •For works with significant commercial potential
• •Before pursuing any legal action
• •*Registration Methods:**
• •*1. Online Registration (eCO):**
• •Fastest processing time
• •Lowest fees
• •Easiest to complete
• •Most common method
• •*2. Paper Registration:**
• •Fill out Form PA (compositions) or Form SR (sound recordings)
• •Mail to Copyright Office
• •Longer processing time
• •Higher fees
• •*Step-by-Step Registration Process:**
• •*For Sound Recordings (Form SR):**
• •*Step 1: Create an Account**
• •Go to copyright.gov
• •Click "Register a Work"
• •Create eCO account with email
• •Verify your email address
• •*Step 2: Start Application**
• •Select "Register a New Claim"
• •Choose "Sound Recording"
• •Click "Start Registration"
• •*Step 3: Complete Type of Work**
• •Select "Sound Recording"
• •Check if registering composition too
• •Provide work title
• •Include alternate titles if any
• •*Step 4: Enter Author Information**
• •Provide author's legal name
• •Include citizenship and domicile
• •Note if work made for hire
• •Specify what was authored (performance, production, etc.)
• •Add all authors if multiple
• •*Step 5: Claimant Information**
• •List copyright claimant (usually the author)
• •Provide complete legal name
• •Include mailing address
• •Note if rights were transferred
• •*Step 6: Limitation of Claim**
• •Indicate if registering new version
• •Note any preexisting material
• •Specify new material contributed
• •*Step 7: Rights and Permissions**
• •Provide rights holder contact
• •Include email and phone
• •Add website if available
• •*Step 8: Correspondent**
• •Designate correspondence contact
• •Must be able to receive Office communications
• •Usually your email and address
• •*Step 9: Mail Certificate**
• •Provide mailing address for certificate
• •Can be different from claimant address
• •Ensure accuracy for delivery
• •*Step 10: Special Handling**
• •Only if you need expedited service
• •Requires additional fee
• •Must show special need
• •*Step 11: Certification**
• •Check that information is correct
• •Certify you're authorized to submit
• •Provide your name as certifying person
• •Click "Add to Cart"
• •*Step 12: Upload Files**
• •Upload your sound recording
• •MP3, WAV, or other approved format
• •Must represent work being registered
• •File size limits apply
• •*Step 13: Pay Fee**
• •Standard fee: $65 per work
• •Pay by credit card or electronic payment
• •Receive confirmation email
• •Save receipt for records
• •*For Musical Compositions (Form PA):**

Similar process but focuses on the underlying song:

• •Register melody, harmony, and lyrics
• •No audio file required (though helpful)
• •Can submit lead sheet or lyrics
• •Lower fee for unpublished works
• •*Group Registration Options:**
• •*Unpublished Collection:**
• •Register up to unlimited works as one collection
• •All must be unpublished
• •Same author(s) for all
• •Single fee ($85)
• •Cost-effective for extensive catalogue
• •*Album Registration:**
• •Register all tracks from one album together
• •Must be published together
• •Single fee covers all tracks
• •Includes both composition and sound recording
• •Most common for album releases
• •*Group of Published Works:**
• •Register up to 10 works in one application
• •All must be published within same calendar year
• •Same author and claimant
• •Single fee ($85)
• •Good for single releases throughout a year
• •*Required Materials:**
• •*Deposit Copies:**
• •Digital file of your sound recording
• •High-quality audio file
• •Must be complete work being registered
• •No preview files or excerpts
• •*For Physical Deposits (if required):**
• •Two copies of best edition
• •Usually CDs of published album
• •Mailed separately from application
• •Specific mailing address provided
• •*Processing Timeline:**
• •Standard registration: 8-12 months (currently)
• •Special handling: 5-15 business days (additional $800 fee)
• •Registration effective from filing date, not completion date
• •You'll receive certificate when processed
• •*Cost Summary:**
• •Single work online: $65
• •Group registration (unpublished): $85
• •Group registration (published): $85
• •Paper application: $125
• •Special handling: Additional $800
• •*Registration Tips:**
• •*Do:**
• •Register before or shortly after release
• •Keep copies of your application
• •Register both composition and sound recording
• •Use group registration to save money
• •Keep your certificate in safe place
• •Document all collaborations
• •*Don't:**
• •Wait years to register valuable works
• •Submit poor quality files
• •Leave out important information
• •Forget to list all authors
• •Ignore co-writer agreements
• •Lose your registration certificate
• •*International Protection:**
• •U.S. registration provides protection in 180+ countries
• •Berne Convention honors copyright across borders
• •No need to register in each country separately
• •Exceptions exist for certain countries
• •Consider local registration for major markets
• •*After Registration:**
• •*Maintain Records:**
• •Store certificate safely
• •Keep digital copies
• •Photograph/scan certificate
• •Include in catalogue documentation
• •Update if information changes
• •*Use Copyright Notice:**
• •© [Year] [Your Name]
• •Not required but recommended
• •Prevents "innocent infringement" defense
• •Shows you're serious about protection
• •Use on all releases and materials
• •*Monitor Your Rights:**
• •Watch for unauthorized uses
• •Set up Google Alerts for your songs
• •Monitor streaming platforms
• •Check YouTube for uploads
• •Address infringement quickly
• •*Common Registration Mistakes:**
• •Registering too late (after infringement)
• •Incomplete author information
• •Missing co-writers or collaborators
• •Incorrect claimant information
• •Poor quality deposit files
• •Not registering new versions
• •Losing registration certificates
• •*When to Consult an Attorney:**

Consider legal help for:

• •High-value catalogue registration
• •Complex ownership situations
• •Disputes with collaborators
• •International licensing deals
• •Suspected infringement
• •Contracts involving copyright transfer
• •*Registration is an Investment:**

Think of copyright registration as insurance for your creative work. The modest registration fee is nothing compared to the legal protections it provides. For professional musicians, copyright registration isn't optional—it's essential business practice. Protect your work, protect your income, protect your legacy.