TommyK Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I play at some bluegrass jams, strictly amateur. I have an idea for a song... actually, it's almost fleshed out. It's based on a Civil War era song, but I've changed the words and added a totally new verse. The original song and tune are definitely in the public domain. I have changed the tune.. just a bit. How do I copyright this before I play it out? I don't intend to make any money off of it, I just want the credit.. for what that might be worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Registar of copyrights, Library of Congress. Print the SR form, record it, send em' the money and a copy. It's yours. I own a BUNCH. DOUBLE AUGHT (cdbaby.com) Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted October 8, 2008 Author Share Posted October 8, 2008 Registar of copyrights' date=' Library of Congress. Print the SR form, record it, send em' the money and a copy. It's yours. I own a BUNCH. DOUBLE AUGHT (cdbaby.com) Murph.[/quote'] Thanks Murph. I'll see what them boys in Warshington know. You wouldn't be MMM would you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Martin Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Here is some more information on said subject. http://ultimate-guitar.com/columns/general_music/music_law_legal_issues_for_bands.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolongermike@gibson Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 You'll need to register it as a Public Domain Arrangement" but if it was from the Civil War era, it's all yours now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarGuy503 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 How much does it cost to copyright let's say one song? Just curious of the ballpark cost... Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolongermike@gibson Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I believe the fee is $40 to file. However, you can copyright a "collection of works" that includes more than one song which will afford the same protection to them individually as filing one form for each Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Mike is correct. The fee goes up every few minutes, just like stamps. I swear it was $15.00 when I started, but I almost always do a "collection" just like it was a project. In fact, with me, it is. Unless I have a "hotty" that I'm in a rush to protect because it's just "so good". Sheeze....... I don't know what MMM is. "Murphy Slaw" is a song on the DOUBLE AUGHT cd (cdbaby.com) I wrote and played the second lead with a 79 Walnut SG and a Marshall. It gets a lot of hits, and we had a good run, but "Never Been Lonely" was supposed to be the one. And so it goes.......... I wish you the very best of luck. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcorner Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I play at some bluegrass jams' date=' strictly amateur. I have an idea for a song... actually, it's almost fleshed out. It's based on a Civil War era song, but I've changed the words and added a totally new verse. The original song and tune are definitely in the public domain. I have changed the tune.. just a bit. How do I copyright this before I play it out? I don't intend to make any money off of it, I just want the credit.. for what that might be worth.[/quote'] As I understand it, the copyright process requires you to demonstrate that the composition is original. From what you describe, you have taken an existing song, changed the tune slightly and added a new verse. To me, this sounds like you haven't created something that would qualify for copyright - especially where the borrowed tune is public domain a judge isn't going to want to grant you rights to own that which you have not created. This Stanford site might help you out with your inquiries. http://fairuse.stanford.edu/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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