Whether you are a songwriter, a performer, or both, it’s good to know a few key facts about copyright law and how to protect your intellectual property.

A song has two copyrights: one for the musical composition (melody and lyrics) and another for the sound recording (the specific performance).

A sound recording is created by the recording’s performer (artist), the producer, or others.

A musical work is a song’s underlying composition along with any accompanying lyrics. Musical works are usually created by a songwriter or composer.

When you record a song, you are creating two works that are protected by copyright: a musical work and a sound recording.

Ownership:
The copyright for a sound recording is usually held by the entity that funded and produced the recording, often the artist or record label.

Protection:
The copyright protects the recorded performance, including the specific sounds and arrangement captured in the recording. 

Registration:
You can copyright your work with the U.S. Copyright Office HERE