former has made it big, fulfilled their multi-album deal and still remains relevant is there
much of an opportunity to actually own the lion share of the most lucrative asset in the
entertainment business–the publishing rights to the music.” This is one area where a suc-
cessful indie act or band can really clean up by owning all rights to their music.
In the chapter 9 section, A Word About Copyright, I discuss the Copyright Office,
(www.copyright.gov) and how to go about registering musical copyrights. For only $35
USD, registering your work is just plain smart. Plus, as mentioned, you can register sev-
eral works as a group for the same small fee.
Copyright and Work-for-Hire
Even before a work is formally copyrighted with the Copyright Office, the creator of it
owns the copyright. Copyright is vested with the creator upon completion of the work.
However, it’s a good idea to formally copyright your work. In the event of an infringe-
ment suit, judgment awards tend to be more favorable for the owner of the copyright who
has formally registered it.
The following is from Copyright Basics, published by the U.S. Copyright Office.
“Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copy-
right in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who cre-
ated the work. Only the author or those deriving their rights through the author can right-
fully claim copyright.” Also, if you collborate, the authors of joint works are co-owners
of the copyright, unless there is an agreement to the contrary. Ideally, that agreement
should be in writing.