There are two (2) separate copyrights: the composition (song) and the sound recording (master). [Ref.]
**Q – for a group registration does that mean all copyrights are owned by one entity?
**Q – is it better to have the author own the copyright or the author’s publisher?
Any copyright holder of a song has the right to issue a license to anyone for use without other copyright holders permission, unless there is a contract prohibiting it. [Ref.]
Natural copyright is automatic BUT you can’t sue for damages unless registered [Ref.]
The writer / publisher signs an agreement with a record company giving (granting) the record company license / permission to record the song, called a “first use mechanical license”. [Video WATCH!!!]
Registration Guidelines:
Register Your Work: Registration Portal
Performing Arts
Author(s) of the Sound Recordings
Group Registration for Works on an Album of Music (GRAM)
FAQ
What Musicians Should Know about Copyright
Musical Works, Sound Recordings & Copyright (PDF)
Copyright Registration for Sound Recordings (PDF)
Copyright Fees
Copyright Office Fees (PDF)
Changes to Deposit Requirements at the U.S. Copyright Office
· Do you register splits at the time you register copyright? – When you register your copyright with the copyright office in your country, you need to list the names and addresses of all the owners of the copyright, but not the exact splits.
[Ref.]
Understanding the difference between authorship and ownership in music copyright
Authorship and ownership, though closely linked, are different. The author is the original creator, while the owner is the entity that controls the rights to the work at a given time. It’s not uncommon for authors to transfer their rights to a music publisher or record label in return for royalties. However, in the U.S., authors have the unique ability to reclaim their transferred rights after a specific period.
Music Law 101: Who Owns The Copyright In A Song?
In general, the individual who writes or records an original song owns the copyright in the musical work or sound recording.
Co-authors of a song or recording co-own the copyright in that work. Absent a written agreement otherwise, co-authors of a song each jointly own an equal undivided interest in the copyrights (i.e., 2 co-authors each own 50%, 3 co-authors each own 33.3%, and etc.). Thus, even if one co-author actually wrote 90% of the song and the other co-author only wrote 10% of the song, if they don’t agree in writing otherwise, they each own 50%.
Group Registration of Works on an Album of Music for registering up to twenty musical works or twenty sound recordings if the works are created by the same author or have at least one common author, and if the claimant for each work in the group is the same. In the case of an application to register sound recordings, the applicant may also register any associated literary, pictorial, and graphic works in the album, such as cover art, liner notes, and posters. [Ref.]
Registering Your Copyright ***
How to Copyright a Song – The Complete Music Copyright Guide
Copyright basics: exclusive rights, licensing lingo, and more
Your copyright and royalty questions answered
What should I write in the P line?
MUSIC RIGHTS: how do they work? – basic overview