Legal Question in Entertainment Law in California

Re: music

With music there are actually two copyrights you may own..

The first, for the composition (the writing of the song) is registered using form PA (available from the copyright office at www.copyright.gov)

The second is for the RECORDING of the song, which is a separate copyrighted work (assuming you've recorded a demo of it). Recordings are registered using Form SR (also available from the copyright office).

In many cases, if you're registering a recording on form SR, you can also get the composition recorded at the same time, using only one form and one filing fee.

The copyright office has a good circular that explains this very well. Look on the website for CIRCULARS, and scroll down to #50, 56 and 56a.

This is relatively easy stuff to handle, but if you find yourself getting confused, give me a call, and I'll help you.