Legalities of music ownership and copyrights

kevpatts

Hey all,

I manage a band and I'm a complete novice at band management. I'm looking for some information with regard to officially copyrighting and securing legal (international) ownership of the songs that we write. I'm finding it difficult to find information on this subject and was hoping someone could give me and everyone else some advice. I'm not sure if this is relevant in this topic but there was none that it really ftted into.

Regards,
Kevpatts

frobisher

Copyright automatically belongs to the person who wrote the song. What you need to do is be able verify that, so should you ever need to you can prove it in a court should someone rip you off. Although I think this happens rarely. The most common way this is done is by putting a CD of the material into a sealed envelope and send it to yourself by registered mail so it has an official date on it. THis can then be presented to a judge for opening should the need arise. However, there are many who think that this isn't good enough and that many judges would question the validity of a supposedly sealed paper envelope kept in the possesion of a claimant. A more reliable way would be to send the envelope ny registered mail and the leave it with your bank manager or solicitor. A good tip is to write the song list on the outside of the envelope. You might end up with a pile of them and not know which is which. A essential organisation to contact would be IMRO. THey'll give you lots of the info you may need including details of organistaions that provide specialist copyright services for music.

Futureman

kevpatts wrote:

I manage a band and I'm a complete novice at band management.

Not the best combination! Do the band know this?

TelePaul

You can actually register it legally for copyright purposes but it's kinda pricey. The intellectul copyright exists as soon as you create the tune/lyrics/etc, and Frobishers advice is good. But yeah, you can go about it in a more official manner.

kevpatts

Futureman wrote:

Not the best combination! Do the band know this?

Yes, but they're very happy with what I'm doing.

frobisher

kevpatts wrote:

Yes, but they're very happy with what I'm doing.

In the initial stages enthusiasm and belief can be the most valuable assets a band can have. From themsleves and their manager. And you don't need experience for that, sometimes the very opposite. I managed a band when I was still a teenager, before I realised that playing, writing and recording were my thing. Even though I knew little I still got a lot done and what I learned then still proves invaluable now. Futureman is right though, experience and knowledge will ultimately prove important. But that doesn't mean that you can't pick them up as you go. That's how everyone else does it. Just go for to 100% of your abilities and don't take no for an answer.

kevpatts

Thanks man and believe me I am putting 100% into it! I'm pretty sure I'm learning a lot at the moment but the band are good enough to propel themselves really. I am getting quite a lot of gigs around Dublin though, and MCD are kind of interested in us too, which is nice. Hopefully we'll get some decent support slots out of that.

I've taken your advice about the copyright stuff and that's all sorted now. Thanks for that.

Kev
Syllian Rayle
www.RockWithCock.com

Christine - MCR

kevpatts wrote:

Thanks man and believe me I am putting 100% into it! I'm pretty sure I'm learning a lot at the moment but the band are good enough to propel themselves really. I am getting quite a lot of gigs around Dublin though, and MCD are kind of interested in us too, which is nice. Hopefully we'll get some decent support slots out of that.

I've taken your advice about the copyright stuff and that's all sorted now. Thanks for that.

Kev
Syllian Rayle
www.RockWithCock.com

Hey Kev,

Best of luck with your venture you sound like you know what you want and you are going for it which is awesome.

I'm very interested into doing band management too. Would you mind giving me a few pointers as to where to start and how to find bands that may need a manager.

Thanks,

Christine

Mr Alan

Hey Christine,

I am in a band from Dublin who are thinking about taking on some sort of management to help wit the increasing amount of organisation and work involved with our increasing gig schedule..

PM me and we'll have a chat, see if we're thinking the same thing.

Cheers,

Alan:)

TelePaul

millersangel wrote:

Hey Christine,

I am in a band from Dublin who are thinking about taking on some sort of management to help wit the increasing amount of organisation and work involved with our increasing gig schedule..

PM me and we'll have a chat, see if we're thinking the same thing.

Cheers,

Alan:)

Do any counting crows covers?