Expert: Shannon Moore - 6/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: How do I copyright a song I made? I have no music accomanying it and its just lyrics I have come up with. I would like to copyright it so I can then try and sell it.

Thanks!



ANSWER: Dear Emily,

You can do this at the US Copyright Office. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

http://www.copyright.gov/register/literary.html -- Literary Works Registration

Here's a couple of other handy links about copyrights:

http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/DAE53B68-7BF5-455A-BC9F3D9C9C1F7513/310/2 -- NOLO's Copyright Resource Center
http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/B0602CF7-ABD8-4E42-BA43CC5D1C51DCE8/310/2 -- NOLO's Creative Arts & Music Resource Center
http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/E99ADB31-C4B6-4645-87DEC821D1D5548C/310/2 -- NOLO's Music & Entertainment Resource Center

Hope that helps! Please let me know if I can assist you with anything else. Thank you!

Warmest regards,
Shannon Moore
http://www.tmexpress.com
http://tmexpress.blogspot.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thankyou very much! Do you know if there is one in the UK?

Answer
Dear Emily,

My apologies! I can't tell where the questions originate from & since AllExperts is a US-based site, I assumed incorrectly in this case.

Admittedly, I don't know much about copyright issues in other countries. I'd suggest checking out the following links:

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy.htm
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy/c-applies/c-write.htm
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy/c-claim/c-auto.htm

"There is no official registration system for copyright in the United Kingdom (UK) and most other parts of the world. There are no forms to fill in and no fees to pay to get copyright protection."

Hope that helps! Please let me know if I can assist you with anything else. Thank you!

Warmest regards,
Shannon Moore
http://www.tmexpress.com
http://tmexpress.blogspot.com