Copyrighting
my band is in the process of producing a CD of our stuff. I'd appreciate any advice about what we need to do, or what is advisable to do with regard to copyright.

thanks
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 8:41, 15 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Copyright exists automatically in stuff you write
But you have to get a licence from MCPS to release a CD. It's a bit of a minefield, but there's some stuff on the web to help. This for example.

It's a good idea to become a member of PPL, if you expect you may get airplay on radio stations. That way, your royalties are collected automatically and distributed to you a couple of times a year.

Don't expect to get rich from it!
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 8:52, Reply)

This ^^
Make sure that everyone involved is credited, even if it's under a blanket. Luckily this is where smaller bands have an advantage.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:06, Reply)

this cd is basically a sort of demo thing
to get our music heard a bit more and to try and get some of the money back that we have spent on it. we're not expecting to break even on it even.

do we need to go through that business for just selling a few cds at a gig?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:07, Reply)

You can get
a limited distribution licence for up to (I think) 1000 copies, if it's just for amateur use. It's only about £40 as I remember.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:14, Reply)

do we need one though if we are just flogging them to drunk people at gigs?

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:17, Reply)

Yes
Otherwise you could get into bother with the licensing authorities.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:20, Reply)

what cunts
I've been reading through the prsformusic site and it is confusing
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:25, Reply)

I hate
hate hate HATE the MCPS. They're staffed by window-licking cockfarts, and are incredibly unhelpful jobsworths.
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 11:55, Reply)

The licence you need
is one of these.

Much simpler than the individual reporting style licences, because you just have to declare once what you're going to do with it, and no details of the disc content are required.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:49, Reply)

cool, thanks
reading that stuff it still doesn't look that clear that you need one for music that you have written and recorded though.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 10:04, Reply)

afaik
copyright is automatic, and certainly for written work, a good way to assert is is by posting yourself a copy of your stuff by recorded mail, and leaving the letter unopened. that way, in the event of a fture isse, you have dated evidence that you created the piece

not sure how helpful that is having read the above replies, which look far more comprehensive
( mictoboy shitting in your cunt since, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:56, Reply)

Posting to yourself contributes absolutely nothing toward copyrighting.
www.copyrightauthority.com/poor-mans-copyright/
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:58, Reply)

fair do's

( mictoboy shitting in your cunt since, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 13:08, Reply)

This may be of use
useyourears.co.uk/

Nothing to with equine loving, I promise.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 10:34, Reply)

Actually don't bother..
...it seems to have died in the last few years.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 10:40, Reply)