For musicians, copyrights are essential for protecting their musical works and sound recordings. Copyrights protect the rights of the creator to control how their work is used, including reproduction, distribution, performance, and creation of derivative works. While copyright protection is automatic upon creation of the work, registering with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional legal benefits and strengthens your ability to enforce your rights.
Two Types of Copyrights
1. Musical Composition Copyright:
This covers the underlying song, including melody and lyrics. It's created when the song is written down or recorded.
2. Sound Recording Copyright:
This covers the specific recording of the song. It's typically owned by the record label or the producer who created the recording.