DO I NEED TO COPYRIGHT MY SONGS ?

Some information about copyrighting songs.
This is not legal advice. If you are unsure, you should consult an attorney, which is what I do when I am unsure.
A lot of this is what I do, you should do what you think is best.
0:00 Intro
0:37 What is a copyright?
0:58 Important dates
2:04 Performance distinction
2:50 Copyright notice example
3:23 Fair use
7:01 Should you register your works
7:20 Burden of proof example
9:05 Sample Certificate of Registration
10:07 Should I file for a copyright?
10:48 I wouldn't do these things.
12:53 Closing & Subscribe animation.

[@SeverityOne]

Just a note: this really depends on your jurisdiction, and the USA has rather different legislation from most, if not all, of Europe. A note to that note: Europe has at least 50 national jurisdictions, many of which are a member of the European Union. In other words, your dog is equally qualified to advise on these things as I am.
In Europe, you don't need to copyright your work. Once you produce it, it's yours. How exactly you're going to prove that it was you who produced it is a different matter, of course.
In Europe, copyright (which really is an American legal term, and is possibly/probably irrelevant in other jurisdictions) expires 70 years after the original creator dies - regardless of who actually holds the copyright. For example, somebody works for an advertising company, and produces a photograph as part of his job. The advertising company holds the copyright, but this voids 70 years after the photographer dies.
So the situation exists that some of Agatha Christie's is out of copyright in the USA, because it was published in the 1920s. But it will be protected by copyright until 2046 in Europe, which is 70 years after she died.

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

Very sound advice.

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Thanks.

[@sK3LeTvM1]

By the way, recently I made a 100% copy of Madonna's Open your heart. Can't post in on SoundCloud (even not as professional user) because of copy rights. That is a compliment, because apparently it is that well made that Soundcloud recognizes it as the original... LOL

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

That's cool.

[@TheTMontgomery]

Thank you this was wonderful I look forward to your offerings and this one was really pertinent and covered the so called poor man’s copyright in detail.
Are you aware of the procedure for poetry and prose ?
I am not in the US so I will have to check local laws or perhaps even register in the US
Blessings as always

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

I have never copyrighted poetry and prose. I would think, if you can make it through an online session for music, you could probably figure out poetry. I have copyrighted novels, and it was very similar to music.

[@sK3LeTvM1]

Hi Jeffrey, since recently, I get the "Video unavailable
Playback on other websites has been disabled by the video owner' message in the playback window. Check your settings please. Can't see your videos any more...

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

I'm not sure I follow you. I just tried, and it works fine.

[@sK3LeTvM1]

Thanks for getting back. I use Tampermonkey plugin. Apperently this blocks your video. Not any more.

[@mpmi7588]

Good job. where's the link to the copywrite place? Or the link to your video?

[@JeffreyScottPetro]

Thanks. Tomorrow, 6-21-2024, an episode entitled "REGISTERING YOUR SONGS WITH THE US COPYRIGHT OFFICE ONLINE" will publish. It has the link to the US Copyright Office in the description. It includes an actual session of me filing an online application for 10 unpublished works.

[@mpmi7588]

@@JeffreyScottPetro NICE. Thank you