How To Copyright Sound Recordings

If you are trying to register any type of sound recording you should follow the copyright process as explained here. Sound recordings can generally be described as any recording of music, drama or lecture.

The first step is to make sure that what you are registering is a sound recording. In addition to the listed items above sound recordings can be "works that result from a fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds but not including the sounds accompanying a motion picture or other audiovisual work". It is important to understand the difference between a sound recording copyright and a performing art copyright. The sound recording copyright is intended to be used to copyright a recording and the words underneath. A sound recording copyright is also appropriate for a kit that includes written material with a sound recording of some kind. For example a lecture on tape that includes a workbook would fall into this category under multimedia kits.

The second step is to put together a package including either a form. A check for $30 made out to the "Register of Copyrights" and a non-returnable copy of the materials that are being registered. The form SR can be obtained at the copyright offices website at www.copyright.gov under the sound recordings tab.

Finally address the package to…

Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C.20559-6000

As soon as the copyright office receives your package and confirms that it has been received in proper order your copyright is considered to be in effect. You will receive written confirmation in the mail shortly thereafter.


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