"Lonely, l'm so lonely...."

[GregSeneff]

No questions at all??????

[GuyH]

I think everybody went to play on Facebook.

[Eva]

hi, guys

[Tim Wheeler]

I'll step in and try to disperse the loneliness.
 

How are you doing, Greg?

[Steve Pas]

Hello Greg,
Since you are so lonely, I will ask a question that has been nagging me for a few weeks now concerning copyrights.  I have a pretty well produced song demo that was totally trashed by a NSAI evaluator so I figured the song was going to be for me and my friends and family only.  I have a very good track record of all the recording and songwriting dates so I am not worried about documentation, but I did not pursue the expense of copyrighting the music or the recording (in the words of Robert Sterling "It's only a demo!")

Anyway, as a member of the Connecticut Songwriters Association I am allowed to submit songs for compilation albums.   As a lark I sent it in and found out in January it was placed on this album.  I don't think it is an indicator this song is now going to the top; it probably has to be a really low quality song to be rejected depending on the quantity of submissions.  Since this recording (a good demo version) is now available on a CD that is available for sale on the CSA website, am I being careless    in not spending the $35 (if that is still the electronic filing rate) to register either the music or the recording?  I have not obtained an actual copy of the CD yet, but the listing on the website lists me as the copyright owner for the year 2009.  I would love to hear your expert opinion.

Thanks in advance.

Steve Pas

[bwsongs]

Okay, Greg, I DO have a question, but others may want to know your answer, too, so I'll start a new thread!!  THANKS, brother! You're a BLESSING!!!  Becky Wright

www.beckywrightsongs.com

[GregSeneff]

Thanks everybody.  'Preciate it!

Steve,

I would register the work and if you do so with either the online application or fill it out online and print it you can register both the song and the recording (they are SEPARATE copyright-protectable works) if the ownership of both is identical (same owners with the same splits).  If you want to save some money you can register a number of works in the same format at the same time (again, with identical ownership for all of them registered on the same application). 

Since the recording is going to be distributed more widely than a demo would normally be (in other words, to more than just reputable publishers and A&R folks) I would suggest you register it.  If you don't you register the works before infringement you will not be able to bring any kind of action against anyone who infringes the song or the recordings.  If you register after infringement you are only eligible for "actual profits" and perhaps injunctive relief.  However, if you register before infringement you are eligible for statutory damages ($750 to $150,000 per infringement for EACH the song and the recording), attorney fees and court costs.

Even if a recording is only a demo, if you distribute it to the public (give it away to friends, sell a few at performances) I believe you should register at least the song if the recording is not commercial.  However, you cannot protect the recording if you don’t register it – only the copyright in the song.

So, I suggest that $35 is pretty cheap insurance to make sure you have all that the law allows for something you created.

Greg Seneff