Copyright In The UK

Mark · 28th November 2003

I don't know if this is the appropriate place for this question but, GS does seem to have a higher proportion of Brits than most Recording BBs. So, hopefully, there'll be someone here who can help me.

I have songs. I want to make sure they're protected by copyrighting them. Four questions:

1: Who do I send them to?
2: In what form should I send them? (Just a demo? Or a demo and a transcript?)?
3: Is UK copyright recognised in other countries?
4: Can I copyright a collection of songs; as is possible under US law ($30 for as many songs as you want to protect. Or so I've heard)?

Thanks

RichT · 28th November 2003

Hey Mark,

As soon as you write something original it's automatically copyrighted to you.

This wouldn't stand up in a court of law though.

You can do the old trick of posting a CD with the lyrics, etc and a dated newspaper cutting to yourself and/or a solicitor for safe keeping.

That's really the only way of 'protecting' the copyright (in the UK anyway).

If anyone rips off your stuff you've just gotta hope they're not a major record company who can afford lawyers who'll make your life hell.

Good luck with it all.

Cheers,
Rich

MikeC · 29th November 2003

Yep, have to second that. There is no formal method of registering for copyright in the UK. It's yours by the fact you penned it and it's up to you to be able to prove this. As Rich said, you can post a copy to yourself or a solicitor. Not really a particularly reassuring situation, is it? I've been thinking that it's about time for the UK to have a formal registration service.

Good luck with your project.

Cheers,

Mike

ProFool · 29th November 2003

Why is it so different in the uk?
up here you just send a disk to Sabam and pay the yearly membership fee and thats it i think.

good luck thumbsup

smoothmoniker · 30th November 2003

this may be silly, but why not just register them with the US copyright office? US Copyright is recognized pretty much universally (Iran and China excepted, maybe a few others), and there's no residency or citizenship requirement. I would expect that a valid US copyright would stand up in UK courts as proof of creation, ownership.

-sm

Mark · 30th November 2003

I am thinking of doing that. At only $30 for a whole set of songs (around £17) it would certainly be worthwhile.

But I am very surprised to learn that similar protection is not available in the U.K. Perhaps this is something British artists, songwriters and producers should be lobbying to change.

elgravos · 8th December 2003

You should have a look at this link from Guitarist (UK) did a somewhat helpful piece on UK copyright recently...

http://www.guitarist.co.uk/features/...ge.asp?ID=7602

Not much more there but it's presented in a structured way and they point towards a couple of additional ressources as well.

Good luck.

28th November 2003	#1
Mark Gear addict Joined: Mar 2003 Location: I'm Behind You! Oh, okay, I'm in England. Posts: 368 Thread Starter	Copyright In The UK I don't know if this is the appropriate place for this question but, GS does seem to have a higher proportion of Brits than most Recording BBs. So, hopefully, there'll be someone here who can help me. I have songs. I want to make sure they're protected by copyrighting them. Four questions: 1: Who do I send them to? 2: In what form should I send them? (Just a demo? Or a demo and a transcript?)? 3: Is UK copyright recognised in other countries? 4: Can I copyright a collection of songs; as is possible under US law ($30 for as many songs as you want to protect. Or so I've heard)? Thanks __________________ "I can hear you. Coming to find you. Coming to find you"

28th November 2003	#2
RichT Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 1,469	Hey Mark, As soon as you write something original it's automatically copyrighted to you. This wouldn't stand up in a court of law though. You can do the old trick of posting a CD with the lyrics, etc and a dated newspaper cutting to yourself and/or a solicitor for safe keeping. That's really the only way of 'protecting' the copyright (in the UK anyway). If anyone rips off your stuff you've just gotta hope they're not a major record company who can afford lawyers who'll make your life hell. Good luck with it all. Cheers, Rich __________________ www.oldblacksmiths.com www.myspace.com/theoldblacksmiths

30th November 2003	#5
smoothmoniker Gear addict Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 440	this may be silly, but why not just register them with the US copyright office? US Copyright is recognized pretty much universally (Iran and China excepted, maybe a few others), and there's no residency or citizenship requirement. I would expect that a valid US copyright would stand up in UK courts as proof of creation, ownership. -sm __________________ metricusers.com - the Metric Halo Users Forum

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29th November 2003	#3
MikeC Gear Head Joined: Jun 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 37	Yep, have to second that. There is no formal method of registering for copyright in the UK. It's yours by the fact you penned it and it's up to you to be able to prove this. As Rich said, you can post a copy to yourself or a solicitor. Not really a particularly reassuring situation, is it? I've been thinking that it's about time for the UK to have a formal registration service. Good luck with your project. Cheers, Mike

29th November 2003	#4
ProFool Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2002 Location: BELGICA, THE FLANDERS, VENICE OF THE NORTH ! Posts: 996	Why is it so different in the uk? up here you just send a disk to Sabam and pay the yearly membership fee and thats it i think. good luck thumbsup

8th December 2003	#7
elgravos Gear interested Joined: Dec 2003 Location: London Posts: 1	You should have a look at this link from Guitarist (UK) did a somewhat helpful piece on UK copyright recently... http://www.guitarist.co.uk/features/...ge.asp?ID=7602 Not much more there but it's presented in a structured way and they point towards a couple of additional ressources as well. Good luck.