How To Copyright Music How to register your song or beats To register your song with the Copyright office, do the following:  1.  Send a request for a form SR or PA application to the Copyright Office, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue, S E., Washington, D.C. 20559-6000 or download the application from the website: www.copyright.gov Note: To order an application by telephone, call (202) 707-9100. 2.  When the application is completed (properly), send it back to the Copyright Office with:  (a) If unpublished - One copy of manuscript, lead sheet OR sound recording of the best edition…or (b) If published - Two copies of manuscript (sheet music) OR a sound recording of the best edition…and (c) The appropriate non-refundable registration fee, which is presently $45, by money order, bank draft or check, made payable to Register of Copyrights. (see current fees)  Now, the wait time for application processing, and getting you your certificate back in the mail is kind of long (about 5 to 6 months), but your song is actually registered as soon as the Copyright Office gets your package (if everything is correct in the package; the application, and the fee).   New! Registration with Electronic Copyright Office (eCO) The Copyright Office has now put in a new program that allows you to complete the copyright application online. There are also a few advantages to this new process; a lower filing fee of $35 for a basic claim, a faster processing time, online tracking, ability to upload, and payments can be made using a credit card or debit card. For more visit the US Copyright office on the web. Form PA, Form SR - SO, WHICH ONE?   FORM PA:  For published and unpublished works of the performing arts (musical works and dramatic works, pantomimes and choreographic works, motion pictures and other audiovisual works), use Form PA (Performing Arts).  Musical compositions that are recorded on disc or cassettes are works of the performing arts, and should be registered with Form PA.   For Example:  Let’s say a writer, “Big-Producer-Mayne” writes a song (words and music) called "Bounce it Baby Girl.”  Although he may have recorded it, if he is only interested in registering the song work (the underlying or musical composition), but not the actual recording, Form PA should be used.   ______________________________     FORM SR:  For published or unpublished sound recordings, use form SR (Sound Recordings).  But please sticky this:  Registration for a sound recording alone is NOT the same as registration for musical, dramatic, or a literary work that has been recorded.  Form SR is used for registration of the particular sounds or a particular recorded performance.       Form SR should also be used if you wish to make one registration for both the sound recording and the original work (musical composition).  You may make a single registration using form SR only if the copyright claimant is the same for both the sound recording and the musical composition.    ·          The bottom line is that Copyrights in sound recordings are to be registered on Copyright Form SR.   For Example: Let’s say an artist, “The Regional Buzz” performs and then records "Bounce it Baby Girl” which was written by “Big-Producer-Mayne.”  After the artist “Regional Buzz” gets permission, clearance, and a license from “Big-Producer-Mayne,” if “Regional Buzz” wants to submit the recording for copyright registration, Form SR should be used.   ___________________________   Invest in your future , invest in your career & getting paid; Invest in yourself!