I've had a pretty good look and can't find this covered anywhere else - (recently at least).Just wondering if there is way of file protecting Cakewalk files with password security. Am I being particularly dumb in my savings procedures, or is this not catered for in Cakewalk? In view of copyright issues, you would have thought it should be available.
 
cheers for any advice/help
 
Dave T

Dave..... no, there really is no need to worry over copyright issues. Especially on original songs. 

Most writers are not even close to the level where they need to be concerned over that....although we all think we are at the level where everyone is trying to steal our tunes..... nope it's not true.

As hard as it is to get someone to even listen to your music these days, having someone steal a song is so remote that it's not even close to being something to worry about.

I don't copyright my tunes. I use a 3rd party service called Songuard through MasterWriter2 software. 

As far as a copyright goes, as soon as you record the song it's covered in a defacto copyright. that includes all the files and lyric docs associated. 

But really, that is not something you need to worry about. If you have a few #1 radio chart hits and make nice royalty checks then yes, I would say that you are now in the class where that is closer to being a reality. But generally, those caliber writers are not hanging out here. 


There are probably some programs available that will encrypt any file to keep it safe..... I'd test it on a scrap file first. 

generally, those caliber writers are not hanging out here.

 
 
Gee, thanks, Herb.

I would not worry with trying to password protect the cakewalk files. 

you have a password on your computer, right?  is it a strong password?  if so, then no one should even be able to get TO your cakewalk files without it!

57Gregy

generally, those caliber writers are not hanging out here.

 
 
Gee, thanks, Herb.

Maybe I said that wrong...  what I should have said is we don't have any major hit songwriters here..... and hey... 

I'm including myself in that category as well.....less than big caliber writers, aka "hit writers".....

My stuff sux so bad no one will even listen in Nashville, those that do trash it pretty badly....and LA sends it all back for the most part..... 

There aren't any Jeffry Steel's, Paul McCartney's, Jason Blume's hanging out here to my knowledge..... 


open mouth, insert foot.


 


That said..... we do have some good to excellent writers of songs and music here..... people who's music I enjoy as much as anything on the radio....even more.... I could list a bunch of them but I won't......suffice to say if you go to the songs forum you will find them all there posting and writing. 

I agree with Herb (guitarhacker) on this. If you are particularly worried that someone could or would possibly hack your computer to gain access to your cakewalk files, then using an encryption algorithm would be your best defense.

There are some here who have the talent to produce some awfully good stuff, which I would consider worthy of taking some steps in protecting against any potential copyright infringement. I also believe Herb has produced enough stuff to be one of them and I'm sure he has taken all of the necessary steps to ensure that if by chance something were to happen, he would be covered. 

You would hope so..... right? 

I do use a 3rd party protection until I get some interest by publishers or libraries...then I  let the publishers who sign my music pay for the copyright. 

Very little music gets used that isn't signed and promoted by a publisher, that is their job..... and they will handle the copyright protection because when I sign it to them...they are the proud new owners of that intellectual creation.