eph221
yes, it's easier in court if you've registered it. 

The work is copyrighted as soon as it is rendered in tangible form i. e. recorded to computer memory, some other form of phonorecord or transcribed into some form of notation. The OP is probably confusing copyright with copyright registration, which requires an application and fee plus a deposit of copies of the work with the US Copyright Office.  In the US, it is not possible to file an infringement suit unless the work is registered, even though the copyright itself is secured without registration.
 
The good news is that you can register the work after infringement has occurred and then file suit. If the registration of the work is "timely," that is prior to infringement and within three months of publication, you also secure the right to receive statutory damages, reimbursement of your court costs if you win, and the "prima facie" determination that you are the legitimate author. If you wait until infringement has occurred then you will need to prove actual damages (the provable amount of money you would have received for the work that you lost because of the illegal competition), you will have to prove authorship (as opposed the infringer having to prove you are not), and you will have to pay your legal fees out of your own pocket, win or lose. 
 
https://thecopyrightdetective.com/timely-copyright-registration/
 

Yes.
 
Nothing leaves the house unless copyrighted.
So if I ever am in the bread isle and hear one of my songs over the in store audio shopping network.
There's no need to panic, see how it's doing, maybe call my attorney.

paulo

jamesg1213

eph221
What songs have you written James! :D:D

 
I don't write songs David, I write instrumental music.

I used to do a lot of instrumentals and it always seemed harder to get anyone to listen for some reason. Of the few that did most would then ask when the vocals were going to be added.

Great point!  Also why the lead singers tend to end up being singled out for attention even though they're in a band I would think.

jamesg1213

eph221
What songs have you written James! :D:D

 
I don't write songs David, I write instrumental music.

I think my various covers of John Cage's 4:33 are safe. 

craigb

paulo

jamesg1213

eph221
What songs have you written James! :D:D

 
I don't write songs David, I write instrumental music.

I used to do a lot of instrumentals and it always seemed harder to get anyone to listen for some reason. Of the few that did most would then ask when the vocals were going to be added.

Great point!  Also why the lead singers tend to end up being singled out for attention even though they're in a band I would think.

 
Tubular Bells....15 million copies and counting. Oldfield was also asked when the vocals were going to be added.

I have always thought that copyright was assumed as soon as you master your track. Also, I assume that some will steal my  music and some will buy. I think if someone stole enough of my music i would track them down myself and confront them. Also, it seems that when you copyright your music, it can't be used on YouTube or facebook without getting blocked  and asked to prove use rights. My music for the most part has no words so the better term would be soundtrack. IMHO... -s
 
 

If Hanz Zimmer were litigious, he'd have a field day suing people.  Everyone copies him!  

shawn@trustmedia.tv
Also, it seems that when you copyright your music, it can't be used on YouTube or facebook without getting blocked  and asked to prove use rights.

That has it sort of backwards. YouTube will block your content if it seems to include a portion of an unlicensed copy of someone else's copyrighted work. For one group of customers (record companies and publishers primarily) there is a robot working for YouTube that scans uploads for stuff that might belong to them and automatically takes action. There are also independent companies that provide robot scans of uploaded material and submit takedown notices etc. for their clients. Any individual who thinks you have stolen his stuff can also demand a takedown. In any case, if you have a registered copyright it will not be much help in this case since the registered work is not accessible in the Copyright Office for simple verification. Copies can be obtained after considerable delay for active lawsuits but short of going to court you are not likely to get YouTube to modify its decision if the other contesting party is at all credible. In order to get YouTube to restore your content (or remove advertising that pays the contesting party to license it for use) you will have to appeal to YouTube. The contestant can then file a DMCA Takedown Notice, in which he must swear that he has a good faith reason to believe you are the infringer of his work. He can also send you a scary cease and desist notice threatening legal action, or at any point he can file an infringement lawsuit in Federal Court, likely committing you to thousands of dollars in defense costs even if you are in the right. In any case filing a DMCA takedown notice obligates the online service to remove your work. Your legal recourse is to file a counter notice, and the option for the contestant is to then file an infringement lawsuit within two weeks or the takedown notice will no longer be valid. From the author's position, this makes registration of copyright a practical necessity, since the long delay required to file a copyright registration will make it impossible to file suit within the two week period.
 
https://www.eff.org/issues/intellectual-property/guide-to-youtube-removals
 

CBA
 
Most of my stuff is released on SoundCloud under a Creative Commons anyway...
 

Well, I know from experience that YouTube and facebook block copywritten music which makes it a no for copyrighting my music. Thanks Guys..