Career | Music

Copyright 101: How Songwriters Can Protect Their Lyrics


You’ve just had a moment of inspirational bliss and wrote the most amazing song lyrics.  You’re ready to post them on Facebook, YouTube, and your blog, but aren’t quite sure what you should do to protect them.  Fortunately, the following steps outline how songwriters can protect their lyrics before exposing them to the public.

Guitar Girl

Step 1: Determine If Your Lyrics Are Protectable Under Copyright Law

In order for lyrics to be protected under copyright law, they must be put in a fixed form.  As such, if you simply sing or recite your lyrics in a public area, you do not hold the copyright to them.  However, if you write the lyrics on paper or save them to your hard drive, you hold the copyright.

When you hold the copyright to your lyrics, you have certain exclusive rights, including the right to produce or reproduce the work.  As such, you are the only person who can determine how your lyrics are used, where they can appear, and whether they can be performed.  These exclusive rights are granted for a limited period of time.  In Canada, these rights last for 50 years after the death of the author.

Girl guitar songwriter

Step 2: Determine If You Should Register Your Lyrics

Although copyright protection in Canada is automatic the moment you put your lyrics in a fixed form, it is definitely a good idea to register your work for added protection.  The reason being; it can be difficult to prove you are the original creator of the lyrics if you don’t have third-party proof.

To determine if you should register your lyrics, ask yourself these 3 questions:

  1. Are you the owner of the work?
  2. Do you want to earn money from these lyrics, either now or in the future?
  3. Do you plan to promote or expose your lyrics to anyone?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you should consider registering your work for added protection.  If you answered no to all these questions and you don’t want to protect your lyrics should copyright infringement occur, then registration is not necessary.

The experts at MusicVibe.com say that when you hold the copyright to your lyrics, you have certain exclusive rights, including the right to produce or reproduce the work. As such, you are the only person who can determine how your lyrics are used, where they can appear, and whether they can be performed.

Step 3: Find a Copyright Registry That’s Right for You

There are a number of copyright registration options available to protect your lyrics.

Canadian Government:  You can register your copyright with them for $50 – $65 per song.  While you will receive a registration certificate authenticating your registration, they do not keep a copy of your lyrics. As such, it’s important you keep an original copy of your work in a safe place.

Copyright Online: There are a number of online options available where you can register your song lyrics for as little as $4 a song.  When you register your copyright online, look for the following criteria:

  1. Do they offer a registration certificate? This is an absolute must, as it provides protection and proof against infringement by guaranteeing the day and time you submitted your song.  It’s best to register your work as soon as it is complete, to ensure you have the earliest time-stamp possible.
  2. Are you able to test their service before committing financially?
  3. Are there membership fees that impact the duration of your copyright registration?
  4. Must you renew the registration of your lyrics after a certain period of time, or does the registration last for the life of copyright?
  5. Is a copy of your work maintained online and, if so, can you access it at any time (just like you can access essays when you order online assignment help?)
  6. Do courts of law recognize the validity of the information gathered on the certificate?

Regardless of which method of protection you choose for your lyrics, remember to first put them in a fixed form and keep them private until you make your decision.

X Copyright ProtectionIt’s important to know that ‘poor man’s copyright’ (sending yourself your lyrics through registered mail) is not recognized by the courts as a form of copyright registration.  As such, do not rely on this method if you want to protect copyright.

Note: The above information is meant as a general guide to further your copyright knowledge, and does not constitute legal advice.  For questions about your specific work, you should consult a copyright lawyer in your country.

Copyright Protection Lyrics Copyright Creators

Written by Faze contributor Shehan A. Jinapriya.
Shehan is President and Co-Founder of Copyright Creators, a service inspired by the shortfalls of “poor man’s copyright”. Copyright Creators protects copyright for life with no membership fees. Visit Copyright Creators today to receive 4 free registrations.

 

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8 thoughts on “Copyright 101: How Songwriters Can Protect Their Lyrics

  1. To writers who openly share their songs, lyrics, or works without copyrighting you’re running a risk of losing your works an d possibly some monies. if someone likes it, put music to it and registers it as theirs before you do——how can you prove it’s your. Also, if you share a song and don’t register or copyright and stop the process for a period of time.someone else hears it runs with it and it becomes a hit and you don’t know it. then later on you pick it up to continue later—–you’re subject to being sued for stealing their material. no proof its yours. Slow down, compile your songs and register them before you do anything. In the U.S, its $55.00 per application , so try to do them in groups or other. Consider pay a little now or a LOT LATER

  2. Rand ran

    I basucaly started writing poems and stories for pleasure but found a ear for songs and turned my poems to songs. I now want to sell my songs. They are only lyrics it don’t know how to sell them or even who to sell them to. How do I find the people who wants to buy them or even listen to them. I need direction and guidance please help put me on the right track.

  3. I’m writing lyrics but just for fun for sharing with people. Is it a problem? Here is my site: sharelyrics.tumblr.com

  4. Isabel Garcia

    HI.. I wrote an amazing song that everyone has been pushing me to register and copyright. I know nothing about the process in order to make money on it (even after reading all advices online) I’m still kinda confused…Im trying to find out if its a good idea to get a publisher? Or just copyright it as a writer (with no publisher so I don’t need to split the money). I only created the lyrics… however I would like my daughter to sing it with a music that is not mine (it’s old).
    Can you please email me with some advice
    ..Thanks a million! 😉

  5. I really appreciate your write up. And you’ve made my day. Am a Nigerian who just woke up one day and fell in love with song writing, once again thanks for your advice

  6. Misori Jean Marie nanje

    Am a writer of books, cards, poems and lyrics. I have these two songs and a poem I submitted a month now. Yet no reply. And I believe all to be hits songs and poems. Pls I want to copyright them. Help me. Thanks

  7. Pradeep kumar mishra

    I want placement in songwriter for earning and i write the songs by myself so plz help and mail me I’m wait for your mail