Q: As a song author, how can I protect a song without having to initially copyright it?
Fees to copyright songs have risen greatly. While one can copyright a batch of songs (10) to save on fees I am looking for an alternative. As a song author, how can I protect a song without having to initially copyright it?
If the interest was to be had in a particular work I'd certainly do a formal copyright but with hundreds of works most artists cannot afford this.
In the past, one could simply mail themselves a song, and the postmarked unopened mail with the song inside would suffice. I am not sure it this still works.
Thank you,
Michael
A: Registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.
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