On Tue, 20 Dec 2005 10:12 , R Parker <rtp405@yahoo.com> sent:

>Hi,
>
>>     Sorry, but this is incorrect.  Since 1998 any
>> piece of music that has been
>> published (this is a very loose term which includes
>> putting it on a CD and
>> handing it to a friend) is automatically
>> copyrighted.  You may register this
>> copyright with the US Copyright Office but this is
>> not required.  If you do wish
>> to register the copyright all you need is a cassette
>> tape and a copy of the
>> lyrics (if any).
>
>Copyright registration has been on my mind lately. I
>believe single and bulk (album) song registrations
>cost $30.00. That is expensive when you consider how
>the internet has shaped publishing and distribution.
>
>Any of us can write, publish and distribute a song in
>a single day. I don't think anyone wants to pay $30.00
>for every registration.
>
>The $30.00 registration purchases legally acceptable
>evidence of ownership that is presentable in a court
>of law. It is a record of proof but it's not
>exclusive.
>
>We used to do the poor man's registration by mailing
>evidence, songs on a cassette with lyrics, back to
>ourselves in a registered U.S. Postal package. That's
>more affordable but inconvienant.
>
>I want to publish with a free service on the internet
>that establishes an equivalent to the poor man's
>registration. Is this happening yet?
>
>ron
>

    This is a really good idea.  I think to make it binding in court though you'd
need a Notary Public and a witness.  You could dump the written part to paper,
date it, witness it, and stamp it.  I'm not sure how you could deal with the
music portion but some variation on the first theme should work.  I doubt if
you'd be able to provide it for free but you might make it a lot cheaper than the
US Copyright Office.  The real trick is, would it stand up in court.

Jan