If you are recording your own music, you need to think about copyright protection. Your creative work is protected by copyright as soon as it is created and "fixed" in a tangible form such as film, a sound recording, etc. However, to fully protect your rights in a court of law it is vitally important to register your work with the U.S. Copyright office, which is part of the Library of Congress. Having done that, you get a certificate of registration and your work is a matter of public record. Then, if it becomes necessary to sue to protect your rights, you have proof of the originality and authenticity of your work.

Check it out: A registered work is NOT "copywritten" -- it's "copyrighted." This is about who has the right to copy -- get it?

To register, you need to submit the correct application form, a non-refundable filing fee of $30, and a non-returnable copy (or copies) of your work. I have forms here, and they include instructions on how to use them (it's very easy). If you want to learn more for yourself, here's the contact information:

http://www.copyright.gov

The Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000

Telephone 202-707-3000

24/7 Forms and Publications Hotline 202-707-9100

Fax-On-Demand 202-707-2600

TTY 202-707-6737

what about copyrights and intellectual property issues?