Copyright Laws

You have copyrights when you write a song, just by writing the song, you have those rights.  The law goes on for 70 years after the writers death. In the case of two or more writers, the law extends to 70 years after the last writer exists. http://www.iwritethesongs.com/articles/how_and_when_to_copyright.cfm

Copyright really means; The right to copy. This means, the person who owns the copyrighted song, or songs, has the right to copy.  http://www.musicservices.org/node/17

The copyright situation in the US depends on state law for records made prior to February 15, 1972. Foreign recordings from 1946 or later are subject to copyright laws (even if they were made before 1972).  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Public_domain#USA

Public domain is when a song or someone else’s work is not eligible for copyright, and people do not have to have permission to copy or use this song.

 http://www.public-domain-image.com/public_domain/public_domain.html

When going to use a song, if you are not sure of whether or not it is in the public domain, you need the proof of public domain, from a legitimate source.

 http://www.pdinfo.com/proof.php

In copyrighting music and lyrics,

- the artist of that song and its lyrics have the right to reproduce their original song, lyric or piece of music.

-has the right to create derivatives or variations of that song or lyrics

-has the right to distribute it, to perform and display it publicly

 http://www.songrite.com/

A & M Records vs. Napster (2001)

This famous case between the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) and Napster, a music website, is about how Napster was allowing people to download music to their computers, or music devices without paying for the music. This music was all copyrighted, and not able to be used like that, A&M Records, Inc. stepped up and sued Napster, so they would stop doing this.