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"Why are artists broke?" Ask the Attorneys Forum. Hosted by Melani Ismail - Guest Panelists Include Efrem Craig - Lawyer, Theresa Weaver - Lawyer, Marc Engel - Director of Entertainment and Event Services AT&T Perfroming Arts Center, & Monique Gibson - Lawyer. May 18th, 2012 from 7-9pm Admission is $15

Tuesday Tips

Copyrights

There's a lot of misinformation about music copyrights, although the answer is simple.


As soon as you write an original work (song) to a tangible medium, you are automatically the owner of the copyright. However, you cannot include samples of other people's songs or lyrics. The best way to protect the work is to register your songs with the library of congress. The following link will take you to the site where you can download the necessary forms: http://www.copyright.gov.

As an added protection, you should submit your work to the performing rights organization (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC) with whom you are affiliated.

Many people will also use the so called "Poor Man's Copyright". Why you may ask, because it's the price of a stamp. Although, we do not recommend this approach, it sets a date of creation if you mail it to yourself and don't open the envelope. You will have proof because of the postmark date or the date of origination.

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