yes.. from the day they receive it...it's legal as concerns the USLOC.  It gets stamped and becomes the official date, even though it has not been processed.

I understand totally that Masterwriter is NOT a USLOC copyright and does not substitute for it regarding the courts. My point is, I use it to provide proof of the date of creation. No other reason. I see no need to spend money on USLOC copyright when I know the reality of the statistics regarding published songs and stolen songs. This is simply not something I worry about. I have date of creation proof and deal with legitimate publishers. If I need a lawyer at some point, I'm sure there are quite a few in the music business that would be willing to take a case with a Masterwriter proof of creation date stamp. 

This is simply my point of view. How I roll. 

LEGALLY, a copyright is established and is valid the moment you put the song into some sort of tangible format.... on a cassette or a CD or as a file on the internet. No further action is required to establish a copyright...it is automatic. However.......The USLOC copyright is the only LEGALLY ACTIONABLE form that is recognized by the government in the US court system should such action be needed. 

I could not file a copyright infringement case in a US court based on a Masterwriter "song registration" form. I would need to first file a USLOC copyright to bring legal action. Even if it's dated AFTER the "other" copyright on the song in question, it is still a requirement. The Masterwriter registration could be introduced as evidence and admitted into evidence by the presiding judge with a court order to secure the Masterwriter server file  proving the song was created earlier than the opposing party's copyright date. It would be up to a jury to decide.

In dealing with music industry companies..... if you have a copyright, they will sign the song and do the paper work needed as was the case on the songs I signed. The publisher did indicate that they would prefer to do a "clean copyright" to save time, and paperwork and I would save money by allowing them to handle the copyright. If you are dealing with a reputable publisher, there is no danger in dealing this way...and why would you deal with anything less than a reputable publisher in this business anyway? 

Reputable being defined as: a company which has a solid reputation in the business, has been doing business for a long time, working with major artists and production companies, is placing songs into commercial projects, and is recommended by other reputable companies. Always do you due diligence when dealing with any music related business. Having a good reputation is everything in the music business, both to writers and publishers. 



I'm not saying the way I do it is the best or even the advisable way to do it..... it's how I do it and I'm comfortable with it.  The best way is, without a doubt.....the USLOC. 

Guitarhacker


yes.. from the day they receive it...it's legal as concerns the USLOC.  It gets stamped and becomes the official date, even though it has not been processed.

 LEGALLY, a copyright is established and is valid the moment you put the song into some sort of tangible format.... on a cassette or a CD or as a file on the internet. No further action is required to establish a copyright...it is automatic. However.......The USLOC copyright is the only LEGALLY ACTIONABLE form that is recognized by the government in the US court system should such action be needed. 

Exactly and this is where my O.C.D. comes into play-You can Never have to much info, but if you dont have it and need it-OH WELL  

Personally Id incorporate both yours and Reeces methods.

I dont believe Ill jump to LOC level until I have enough to actually put an album together or unless a friend needs a single done individually. In the mean time we can do it Herbs way and keep it marked Private OnLine and in publishing software until ready to go to that next higher level.

 Im easy, I like the way you both ROLL!!!

The hard truth is that most of what songwriters write would never in a million years be recorded by any artist on any label.  Therefore, paying for a USLOC copyright is simply a waste of money. 

I listen to the songs that I have USLOC copyright on..... now that I am writing better songs.... I look back and think that what I was writing then was so amateurish from a professional writer's POV. No way would those ever get recorded..... but you could not convince me of that...then.

I like to believe I write better. However, as a member of Nashville Songwriters Assoc. I can send songs in to be "professionally evaluated" by writers who have had number one hits and supposedly know something about writing. I understand that they are giving an opinion..... however, the things they point out in the songs I currently write seem to indicate there is still a ways to go before I am writing songs that would seriously be contenders for a big Nashville artist's next CD. 

Looking at it from THAT perspective... I still see no need in USLOC copyright on the stuff I write. When and if I get to the point in writing where I have a hit or two with a major, then I will use the USLOC for every finished song I write..... until then, until I get to that point....I don;t see the need to protect with USLOC the music I am currently writing. Masterwriter, with it's secure server date of creation mark is sufficient.