Copyright Question

Caught

Hi,
I've been looking for the answer to this for a while, but haven't been able to find it anywhere, which has meant I've put off copyrighting everything I've ever written! :P

If I were to write a song, right? And then, I was wanted to change the chords I wrote down with the song, or I wanted to change the lyrics, what happens? Do I have to recopyright it, even if it was only two or three words?

Or, [I'm very bad with putting chords to lyrics - I hear it all in my head, but cant get it out, if ya get me] say I finally figure out what chords I want to play with a song, does that mean I have to copyright the chords with the lyrics, so the melody isn't stolen or anything? Can I just write down "Chords to ___" and leave it at that?

Finally, is the envelope system still valid? Put the song in an envelope, send it to yourself, there you go, copyrighted, alright? Could putting it up on Youtube not count as copyrighting like? Cause you've got the date right underneath it...

Thank youuu

Sorry, I only started out with the first question, but the next two just came to me straight away and I was like "Ehm, I'll add these in too".

TeigeB

Hey, I'm sure that changing a few words in a song isn't that big of a deal. Pop stars sometimes change or add in different bits of songs when they're playing live. I believe if you were recording the song then the lyrics would have to match exactly what is on the recording.

As far as copyrighting chords and progressions goes, you can't. You can copyright melodies though.

I've read about the envelope system before, but I have read somewhere that people who tried to sue others for use of their songs and used the envelope method as a way of copyrighting it wasn't enough evidence under the eyes of the court.

What I use to copyright my songs is a cool little site called:

http://www.myfreecopyright.com/

You simply upload your lyrics, music, mp3's.. And add in a little detail about them, the site then sends you a 'Time Stamp' to your email, the 'Time Stamp' is then your proof of ownership / copyright

Feel free to check out some of my songs if you're interested:

www.youtube.com/teigeb

-Teige

Caught

TeigeB wrote: »

Hey, I'm sure that changing a few words in a song isn't that big of a deal. Pop stars sometimes change or add in different bits of songs when they're playing live. I believe if you were recording the song then the lyrics would have to match exactly what is on the recording.

I've read about the envelope system before, but I have read somewhere that people who tried to sue others for use of their songs and used the envelope method as a way of copyrighting it wasn't enough evidence under the eyes of the court.

What I use to copyright my songs is a cool little site called:

http://www.myfreecopyright.com/

You simply upload your lyrics, music, mp3's.. And add in a little detail about them, the site then sends you a 'Time Stamp' to your email, the 'Time Stamp' is then your proof of ownership / copyright

Feel free to check out some of my songs if you're interested:

www.youtube.com/teigeb

-Teige

Thank you(:

For the first part in bold, are you basically saying it's better to record [I won't be using like studios or anything, it'll be self recording] -> write out lyrics -> copyright? Because I'm always mixing words up. :L Like I'd change two or three words and stuff.

Sorry, but is there any other way of copyrighting? I don't like the idea of using a website, as they could easily look at your music, take it and say "well, they have no proof using the 'envelope system'," or something and steal it from you.

And I'm gonna check you out now, thanks. =:)

TeigeB

Caught wrote: »

Thank you(:

For the first part in bold, are you basically saying it's better to record [I won't be using like studios or anything, it'll be self recording] -> write out lyrics -> copyright? Because I'm always mixing words up. :L Like I'd change two or three words and stuff.

Sorry, but is there any other way of copyrighting? I don't like the idea of using a website, as they could easily look at your music, take it and say "well, they have no proof using the 'envelope system'," or something and steal it from you.

And I'm gonna check you out now, thanks. =:)

I thought you meant like changing verses or changing the chorus, one or two words doesn't matter.

I'm not too sure, I've looked into it a good bit and that's the site I've been referred to the most by everyone I've asked.

Caught

Thanks(:

I'm gonna use that now, cause if they steal my songs I'll know I wont be the only one.

And I love your songs, especially Perfect Point of View. :O It's amazing!

Feel stupid now, I've been writing songs for like 2 or 3 years, and you've been writing for 6 months, and you knew all that... :L

Again, thanks(:

brettzy

Try here for complete copyright proof

http://www.emeraz.com/index.php

Caught

brettzy wrote: »

Try here for complete copyright proof

http://www.emeraz.com/index.php

I actually was on that site a few days ago! Thanks, cause I forgot what it was called. :L And thanks for recommending it.

brettzy

Caught wrote: »

I actually was on that site a few days ago! Thanks, cause I forgot what it was called. :L And thanks for recommending it.

It's emerging A to Z - Emeraz Hope that helps

TeigeB

I wandered across this article just there:

http://www.cai.ie/articles/introduction.htm

They say that in Ireland copyright is automatic as soon as the idea is written down or recorded. I suppose its always good to copyright it one of the above ways just incase.

brettzy

TeigeB wrote: »

I wandered across this article just there:

http://www.cai.ie/articles/introduction.htm

They say that in Ireland copyright is automatic as soon as the idea is written down or recorded. I suppose its always good to copyright it one of the above ways just incase.

You are right, it is. However how do you prove that you owned the copyright at a particular date and time?

That's way companies like Emeraz are very important as they can give you that undeniable proof.

Caught

Sorry for asking something else, but how can you be completely sure emeraz are copyrighting your songs? Couldnt they just copyright them themselves using the old envelope post thingy way and claim the songs theirs then, as they know you probably wouldn't of done that if you used their "service?"

It would seem trust worthy to me if the government said it was trustworthy [God, I'm still looking for the silly old governments help. How sad I guess they are the leaders though, there to help... Better stop talking. Will go completely off topic].

Thanks(:

brettzy

Caught wrote: »

Sorry for asking something else, but how can you be completely sure emeraz are copyrighting your songs? Couldnt they just copyright them themselves using the old envelope post thingy way and claim the songs theirs then, as they know you probably wouldn't of done that if you used their "service?"

It would seem trust worthy to me if the government said it was trustworthy [God, I'm still looking for the silly old governments help. How sad I guess they are the leaders though, there to help... Better stop talking. Will go completely off topic].

Thanks(:

I know because I am one of the owners

Trust me, we use two independent company to give customers the best protection you can get. The copyright seal is then verifiable independently from us. In fact, a copy of the New York times will do as proof as one of the companies we use prints it's binary 3 code in the NY Times each week which alone will verify every copyright seal to that date is still valid.

In terms of getting governmental approval. As a private body, if we were backed by any governmental agency it would be a violation of Competition and Anti-trust laws so that ain't going to happen. But I can assure you that our time-stamps comply with the framework for electronic signatures as developed by the 1996 W.I.P.O treaties and adopted by various legislation such as the E-Commerce Directive(2000) in the E.U, and The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, (2000) in the U.S



Hope that puts your mind at ease

Caught

brettzy wrote: »

I know because I am one of the owners

Trust me, we use two independent company to give customers the best protection you can get. The copyright seal is then verifiable independently from us. In fact, a copy of the New York times will do as proof as one of the companies we use prints it's binary 3 code in the NY Times each week which alone will verify every copyright seal to that date is still valid.

In terms of getting governmental approval. As a private body, if we were backed by any governmental agency it would be a violation of Competition and Anti-trust laws so that ain't going to happen. But I can assure you that our time-stamps comply with the framework for electronic signatures as developed by the 1996 W.I.P.O treaties and adopted by various legislation such as the E-Commerce Directive(2000) in the E.U, and The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, (2000) in the U.S



Hope that puts your mind at ease

You're one of the owners? Thats totally cool!

Okay, I'll trust you then(: But that doesn't mean I have to go out and try find a New York Times does it? :L About to use your site now.

Thanks(:

brettzy

Caught wrote: »

You're one of the owners? Thats totally cool!

Okay, I'll trust you then(: But that doesn't mean I have to go out and try find a New York Times does it? :L About to use your site now.

Thanks(: