Are you a songwriter?
What is a song? A song is a musical composition with a melody. Most songs have lyrics that can be sung to the tune of the melody.
If you write song lyrics that have a melody (words with a tune you can sing), you are a songwriter.
If you create melodies or tunes with no lyrics, you are a music composer.
If you write poems or lyrics with no musical melody, you are a lyricist.
Lyricists often collaborate with music composers to become a songwriting team.
About copyrights:
According to the Library of Congress copyright office, the author of a song owns the rights immediately upon completion of the work. However, unless you register your work you have no legal proof of ownership (in case of litigation). You should register your work with Library of Congress Copyright office.
Poor man's copyright:
I'm sure you've heard that if you mail your song to yourself in a registered letter and leave it unopened, it serves to protect your rights to the song. The so-called "poor man's copyright" is not considered legally binding by US courts. If there is anything you should know about the legal system, it is that courts are big on proper procedure.
What part of a copyright does a songwriter own?
If your contribution to the property is both lyrics and melody, you own 100% of the copyright.
If your contribution to the property is both lyrics and melody, and a sound recording was produced as a "work-for-hire" (someone else performs it), you still own 100% of the copyright.
If your contribution to the property is the lyrics, but the melody (or musical composition) is a result of collaboration with a composer, you own 50% (or whatever figure is agreed upon by the parties involved) of the copyright.
For example, if you wrote the lyrics and a composer wrote the melody, you may each be entitled to 50% of the copyright.
Do the musicians/singers who performed on a demo share in the copyright?
No. 100% of the copyrighted work is owned by the songwriter(s). The performing artist(s) of any recorded work have the legal option to file copyright ownership of the actual sound recording. But because demos don't normally earn royalties it is not cost effective for performers to register a copyright of a sound recording unless it is produced for commercial release.
How to save money on copyrights.
Because the Library of Congress copyright fee is currently $45.00 per song, you can save money by registering your songs as a collective work under one title. For example, if you register 10 songs under one collective work title, the registration fee is still $45.00.
Submitting songs without copyright ownership:
If you have not registered your copyright, you should ask for a written agreement from the recipient, protecting your property. Any such agreement should include the following:
1. The title of the work(s).
2. The name(s) and of the songwriter(s).
3. The name(s) and of the recipient.
4. The approximate date the work was completed.
5. The date the work was submitted.
