If you are serious about your music, then protecting it should be your first priority. Professional creators, artists, musicians, and writers often hire experts and patent, copyright, or trademark items to keep others from using the property without paying for it. We talk about a few things you want to do if you plan to sell, distribute, and save your lyrics or score sheets.
Create Non-disclosure Agreements
No matter who you work with, a well-written contract is vital to making sure no one shares your work. Should you end up in a lawsuit, the way this form is drawn up can make a huge difference in whether you win or lose your case. Remember to apply these documents to partners, editors, and any contract you use. If you are planning to market your music internationally, then you will need a non-disclosure form that covers material that leaves the country.
Search Song Lyrics Instead of Paying Someone Else
Inc. Says it costs a lot of money to keep intellectual property safe. To save a little money in the beginning you can do many of the online searches yourself. Since protecting your music is so expensive, saving money in the beginning phase is a great way to put funds back for other fees. You can cut costs even more by hiring out-of-state experts instead of big city firms.
Copyright Your Songs
The U.S. Copyright Office says as soon as you create music it is copyrighted. The only problem is that if you plan to sue someone if they steal it, then you have to register it ahead of the theft for your case to hold up in court. Copywriting covers your works whether you publish them or keep them in a private collection.
Contact Intellectual Property Experts
Regularly talking to a professional copyright agent is a good idea when you plan to make music for a living. A corporate lawyer that knows intellectual property law can help you navigate the copyright application. These professionals can tell you what to expect when registering, how to file a claim against someone you believe infringes on your property, and how to protect new music.
Your music is your property and you have a right to protect it. Research what you can and let the experts help along the way. If you plan to publish your work, then it might be a good idea to register it with the copyright office first.
