1. 1. Using the Copyright Registration Video, sign up for a US Copyright account and register your music. Click Here

2. 2. US Copyright Office: Click Here

3. 3. Add a bookmark for your account to your browser.

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Important: Please note that a musical work (song) and a particular recording of that song are two separate works. A “musical work” consists of music and/or lyrics (either printed or audio). A recording of a particular performance of a song is a “Sound Recording.”

To be fully registered, you will need to file for 2 copyrights: the Composition Copyright covers the “musical work” (Lyrics, etc.) and the Sound Recording Copyright covers “Sound Recording”(Recording of Song). If you only file for one, your song isn't fully protected. See below for an explanation of the 3 Ways to Register Music for a Copyright.

Important: If you live in a country where there is no formal way to register your music for copyright, you may register it with the United States Copyright Office using the above instructions. However, before doing so, we recommend checking with your Performing Rights Organization first, to ensure this option will provide you with the necessary protections.

Tip: If you don’t want to spend a lot of money registering your songs individually, register your music as a GROUP.

Ways to Register Music for a Copyright (US Copyright Office):

Registering for a copyright can be confusing, so here’s a breakdown of how to register. Any questions please ask us.

1. 1. Standard Application: This is for registering 1 song. If you choose this option and select ‘Sound Recording’ from the drop down menu, this registration will cover both the “musical work” and “sound recording”. (Yes, you can use this to ONLY register the “Sound Recording”.) To register ONLY the ‘musical work’ select ‘Work of the Performing Arts’ from the drop down menu.

• To register ONLY the ‘musical work’ select ‘Work of the Performing Arts’

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3. 2. Groups of Unpublished Works: This is for registering between 2-10 songs. If you choose this option and select ‘Sound Recording’ from the drop down menu, this registration will cover both the “musical work” and “sound recording”. However, the author(s) and the claimant(s) for both the “musical works” and “sound recordings” must be the same for all the songs.

• To register ONLY the ‘musical work’ select ‘Work of the Performing Arts’

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2. 3. Groups of Published Works: This is for registering between 2-20 songs. The songs must have been released all on the same album. From the drop down menu, select Sound recordings from an album to register the ‘Sound Recordings’ or select Musical works from an album to register the ‘Musical Works’. You cannot register both the ‘Sound Recordings’ and ‘Musical Works’ using this method.