Once an author has a song fixed in a tangible form of expression such as on tape, paper, computer, production software recordings, etc., he or she owns the copyright to that song. Some countries use only this method and provide no means to officially copyright songs.
However, it is important to know at what point you should copyright songs with the copyright office in your respective country to make it "official." Bookmark This Site
Because if someone infringes on your copyright, this is the only foolproof method of collecting damages for illegal use. Don't use the so-called "Poor Man's Copyright" where you enclose your song in an envelope and mail if to yourself. I've never heard of a case where this method to copyright songs has worked in a court case.
Even most major label publishers take a common-sensical approach when they copyright songs. They wait until each writer has a few songs which they've deemed acceptable as part of their songwriter agreement, and copyright songs in bulk (several songs at a time) for that songwriter in order to save money. Yes, these days even the major publishers are doing it this way.
The only exception is when a songwriter has the perfect song for an artist and that song is to be pitched right away for consideration by that artist. In these cases they copyright songs as soon as possible, sometimes simultaneously in order to pitch the song. Heck, sometimes they drop the ball and copyright songs after they've been pitched to a couple of artists. Be careful here, and make sure you take the responsibility of getting it done for your protection.
In the U.S. visit U.S. Copyright Office and use form PA if you're the songwriter, or use form SR if you want to copyright beats or master recordings.
You can copyright more than one song at a time on both forms by titling/labeling your submission as some type of song collection, i.e., "JB's Songs Volume 1" in space #1, then using the "content titles" in space #2. The cost is $45.00 per submission.
By the way, the US copyright office is currently accepting online submissions to copyright songs.
In the UK, you can register online by clicking UK Copyright Service and you're instantly protected! And there is no limit to the amount of data you can upload. The current charges for online registration are £35.00 for 5 years or £60.00 for 10 years per work. Uploads over 10MB are also subject to a fee of 2p per additional MB.
Other countries' copyright policies vary, so consult with your respective country's copyright offices on how to copyright songs.
This depends on when the song was created so visit U.S. Copyright Office or your country's website for specifics.
But for most of us, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. In the case of a joint work, copyright lasts for 70 years after the last surviving author's death.
Songwriters need to develop some type of cataloguing system so they can keep accurate personal records of their songs for themselves and their heirs. This includes filing correspondence from your respective copyright offices as well as royalty statements, etc.
