Copyright

[displacedface]

Hello Everyone,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I am a young producer having 8 songs ready, and in process of writing some more to complete my album. I am afraid to publish my work, on myspace or other places, because I am worried for the copyright issues. First of all I want you to know that I am from a European Country that has not a copyright office for music copy protection! That means if you are a signed artist and a label publish your work its automatically copyrighted. For unsigned artists (like me) there is no way to protect my work.<o:p></o:p>
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Is there any other way to protect my music?<o:p></o:p>
For example if I publish the songs to my space, can the date of the upload stand as a proof in court in case a song or idea is stolen?<o:p></o:p>
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Or is there an International office that I can copyright my songs?<o:p></o:p>
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I would really like to have your advice because I am in great frustration and I don’t know how to proceed…<o:p></o:p>
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Thank you.<o:p></o:p>
Best regards,<o:p></o:p>
Bill.<o:p></o:p>

[el cochino]

Once it's recorded you can copyright your music without having a label. If your country doesn't have a national company for that, which is kinda strange, you could always become a memeber of GEMA, the German copyright association. Although I'm Austrian, I'm a member of GEMA, too, because they do a much better job than our version, the Austro Mechana/AKM.

Here's the link to their web site:
Welcome to GEMA

[Mike Caffrey]

In the US, copyright is a noun not a verb. You can not copyright something, you can only register the copyright. The copyright is exists the moment the work is created/authored/written. I don't know the laws in your country, but I bet they are similar.

[Brad_A]

I came across this site and remembered this thread. It has a lot of sources for copyright info in other countries.

Copyright Office Links

BA

[paultools]

KUDOS, Mike!
So few people recognize this...

[mrlouie]

the best booth at this past NAMM show was in the lobby .. the US Gov. had people from the copyright & trademark division to answer any questions ... hope they come back again next year

[84K]

uspto.gov