You've written a song - Yay! Now let's learn how to protect it.
Copyright protects your music and ensures that if someone wants to use it, they need your permission.
If you don’t write it down or record it, it may be difficult to prove that you are the creator.
If you haven't already...
Record your song
On your phone, computer, or other device. Your recording doesn’t have to be high quality. You’re just playing it through so you can hear it.
AND/OR Write it down!
This can be the lyrics, chords, or musical notation.
These simple actions create evidence of ownership.
examples: the one that got away
Here are some examples of ways you could write out your song. It could be by hand or typed.
COPYRIGHT MYTHS!
Do I need to use a copyright symbol?
Short answer: NO!
……And if that’s all you need to know, then stop reading!
But if you like random facts… read on….
In Australia, because copyright protection is automatic – you don’t need to use the copyright symbol for your creative work to be protected under law.
In some countries like the USA, the copyright symbol was once required. That’s why some people still believe it’s necessary even though the law changed over 100 years ago!
But it has never been a requirement in Australia.
register your song with apra amcos
We’ve created a song information template for you to fill out. This is like a “pretend” registration process – it lets you practice what it would be like to register your song with APRA AMCOS.
