What To Do Before Posting Your Songs On The Internet

[john]

Hey

 

If you happen to have time and interest infinding out what you should be doing before you post finished songs to the internet on your music site, cd baby etc...

 

What To Do Before Posting Your Songs On The Internet

 

The post is pretty old, I will update it asap!

 

Comments here or there (or both!) are very welcome. Please like my page on Facebook and subscribe to my blog! 

 

Many Thanks!

[MikeRobinson]

I'd love to see a topic or forum-post here which (re-)addresses this important subject.

 

In addition to all of this "very important stuff," even if you are putting a song out casually on the Internet, maybe with no initial thought of making money from it, you should nevertheless be sure of one very-basic thing:

• In whatever file-creation software you use, be sure to specify the song's metadata:  title, author, publisher or contact-information, and, yes, copyright.  Always be sure that the sound-file can be traced back to you.  (Even if you do not immediately register the copyright, always formally assert that you do, in fact, own the material.)  Never let a sound-file wander into the Internet "anonymously," such that someone who stumbled upon it couldn't reasonably find out where it came from.

And one more thing:

• If you use anything that is covered by copyright, and even if you think that what you're doing is "fair use" and even if it is, please take the time to cite the owner's copyright in your metadata, and in accompanying web-pages and so forth.  The law contains a pesky provision called the Doctrine of Laches under which owners can lose their copyright protection, and they're understandably paranoid about that.  Even if you "didn't ask permission first," cite the intellectual-property rights that you didn't clear, thereby acknowledging that those rights exist, and that the works are not (eeek!) "in the public domain."

[john]

On 26/01/2018 at 7:38 PM, fasstrack said:

Perhaps a dumb question (but, hell, that's never stopped me before):

 

Will posting material online with a (c) sign---even if it's not in fact yet copyrighted-----serve as proof that the writer in fact wrote it?

 

No. Even filing with the library of congress does not constitute proof you are the writer. Neither prove you are the writer.

 

Publishing, posting with your name as the author, registering... all demonstrate that at the time you had the work, and that you asserted ownership (or at a minimum had permission for use from the copyright owner). It does it unequivocally (provided you use it correctly). That is all. As part of proving who controlled the work, at what time, publishing or registering or both, help establish a path and time line. Some paths are quite reliable (library of congress, a national publication etc) and they establish that you assert ownership, or at a minimum permission from the owner, at the time of registration or publication.

 

Proof that you wrote it is presented in court. This includes notepads, draft versions, recordings etc. In the case of our forums, they help establish a path. They demonstrate the evolution of the work. They are time stamped, and would provide a good level of proof. Particularly older, archive posts. Those posts are read only. Topics which are still editable can be tampered with. I and other members of staff can see when any post was last edited, though not what the edit was. This is very similar to the library of congress... ie you can edit your listing, and they store that an edit occurred on this date.

 

In court ideally you want the earliest assertion that the work is yours as demonstrated by registration and publication. You also want as strong a case of proof of authorship as possible.

 

Using the copyright symbol and date is important in some countries and contexts. Using it affords a higher level of protection in some cases. Registering with the library of congress also affords you additional protections... in particular if you are registered you can file to get lost earnings and damages. If you are not registered you are far more limited in what you can file for.

 

What using the copyright symbol and date (along with your name) does, is assert, publicly, your ownership (as opposed to used with permission. It is no longer strictly necessary in all domains. That said, it leaves little room for interpretation as to the nature of your use and the way others can or cannot use your work. It gives a dedicated location to declare certain permissions for re-use, or your use... for example, "all rights reserved", or "used with permission".

 

For clarification, I would think members best advised to assert their ownership using ©your name 2018 all rights reserved or similar. They should register works at a minimum as collections with the US library of congress, and after they have finished with a work on the public critique board, they should ask for the topic to be moved to the restricted access board. The latter just restricts access to members making it less likely to be lifted by non-members. After 1 year the topic will be moved to the restricted access board (read only). It does what it says on the tin.

 

If at a later date someone needs access to time stamps, content etc, a member of staff can let them see the content including the posting times, and the memer of staff can attest to the last date the post content was edited.

 

As such, I would reckon it constitutes a much better proof of creation than note pads and recordings alone.

[Richard Tracey]

6 minutes ago, HoboSage said:

BTW, per U.S. Copyright law, there is a distinction between a "copy" and a "phonorecord."  The encircled "C" is the symbol for "copy," and that's what you use on "visually perceptible" works - works you can see - like printed lyrics, sheet music, books, written articles and poems, videos, photos, etc.  However, the symbol you put on the label of a CD or vinyl record  (and I also think on an online digital music players/widgets and as metadata in an .mp3 file) is an encircled "P" for "phonorecord," because a sound recording is only something you can hear, and is not "visually perceptible."

 

 

 

I did not know that - the things we learn. Cheers David.

[Just1L]

Thanks again John. Used your blog post this past weekend.

[SeninMD]

Posting songs on the internet can be an exciting way to share your music with a global audience. However, there are several important steps to consider before releasing your music online to ensure that you maximize its impact and protect your creative work. Here's a checklist of what to do before posting songs on the internet:

1. Finalize Your Song: Ensure that your song is fully recorded, mixed, and mastered to the highest quality possible. It should sound professional and ready for public consumption.

2. Copyright Protection: Consider registering your song with a copyright office to protect your intellectual property rights. While your work is automatically copyrighted when created, formal registration can provide additional legal protection.

3. Choose a Distribution Platform: Decide where you want to post your music. Popular platforms include streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and SoundCloud. Each has its own submission process and guidelines, so research which one suits your needs best.

4. Create Artwork: Design eye-catching cover art for your song or album. This is often the first thing potential listeners see, so it should visually represent your music and capture their attention.

5. Metadata: Ensure that you have accurate and complete metadata for your song, including the title, artist name, album name (if applicable), release date, and genre. This information helps users find your music when searching online.

6. ISRC Codes: Obtain International Standard Recording Codes (ISRC) for your songs. These codes uniquely identify your tracks and are essential for tracking royalties and plays.

7. Digital Distributor: If you're not working with a record label, you'll need a digital distributor to get your music on major streaming platforms. Services like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby can help with this.

8. Release Strategy: Plan your release strategy carefully. Decide when you want to release the song and whether you'll be promoting it with a music video, social media campaign, or other marketing efforts.

9. Promotional Materials: Prepare promotional materials like press releases, artist bios, and social media posts to accompany your release. Building hype around your song can help attract listeners.

10. Streaming Platforms Profiles: Create or update your artist profiles on streaming platforms. This includes adding an artist biography, photos, and linking social media profiles.

11. Distribution Agreements: Review the terms and agreements of the distribution platform you choose. Ensure you understand their revenue-sharing model, payment process, and rights management.

12. Publishing and Royalties: Register your songs with a performing rights organization (PRO) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC to collect royalties for your music's public performance.

13. Marketing Plan: Develop a marketing plan to promote your music effectively. This may involve creating a website, engaging with fans on social media, and reaching out to music blogs or influencers for coverage.

14. Prepare for Feedback: Be prepared for feedback, both positive and negative. Music can be subjective, so not everyone will love your work. Constructive criticism can help you grow as an artist.

15. Release Date: Set a release date and stick to it. This allows you to plan your promotional efforts and build anticipation among your audience.

16. Rights and Licensing: Consider how you want to license your music. Will it be available for use in films, commercials, or other projects? Make these terms clear.

17. Engage with Your Audience: Interact with your audience when your music is released. Respond to comments, thank listeners for their support, and engage with your fans to build a loyal following.

 

By following these steps and carefully preparing your music for release, you can increase the chances of your songs making a positive impact when posted on the internet and help your music reach a broader audience.

[Alicatt]

On 9/27/2023 at 5:24 AM, SeninMD said:

Posting songs on the internet can be an exciting way to share your music with a global audience. However, there are several important steps to consider before releasing your music online to ensure that you maximize its impact and protect your creative work. Here's a checklist of what to do before posting songs on the internet:

1. Finalize Your Song: Ensure that your song is fully recorded, mixed, and mastered to the highest quality possible. It should sound professional and ready for public consumption.

2. Copyright Protection: Consider registering your song with a copyright office to protect your intellectual property rights. While your work is automatically copyrighted when created, formal registration can provide additional legal protection.

3. Choose a Distribution Platform: Decide where you want to post your music. Popular platforms include streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and SoundCloud. Each has its own submission process and guidelines, so research which one suits your needs best.

4. Create Artwork: Design eye-catching cover art for your song or album. This is often the first thing potential listeners see, so it should visually represent your music and capture their attention.

5. Metadata: Ensure that you have accurate and complete metadata for your song, including the title, artist name, album name (if applicable), release date, and genre. This information helps users find your music when searching online.

6. ISRC Codes: Obtain International Standard Recording Codes (ISRC) for your songs. These codes uniquely identify your tracks and are essential for tracking royalties and plays.

7. Digital Distributor: If you're not working with a record label, you'll need a digital distributor to get your music on major streaming platforms. Services like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby can help with this.

8. Release Strategy: Plan your release strategy carefully. Decide when you want to release the song and whether you'll be promoting it with a music video, social media campaign, or other marketing efforts.

9. Promotional Materials: Prepare promotional materials like press releases, artist bios, and social media posts to accompany your release. Building hype around your song can help attract listeners.

10. Streaming Platforms Profiles: Create or update your artist profiles on streaming platforms. This includes adding an artist biography, photos, and linking social media profiles.

11. Distribution Agreements: Review the terms and agreements of the distribution platform you choose. Ensure you understand their revenue-sharing model, payment process, and rights management.

12. Publishing and Royalties: Register your songs with a performing rights organization (PRO) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC to collect royalties for your music's public performance.

13. Marketing Plan: Develop a marketing plan to promote your music effectively. This may involve creating a website, engaging with fans on social media, and reaching out to music blogs or influencers for coverage.

14. Prepare for Feedback: Be prepared for feedback, both positive and negative. Music can be subjective, so not everyone will love your work. Constructive criticism can help you grow as an artist.

15. Release Date: Set a release date and stick to it. This allows you to plan your promotional efforts and build anticipation among your audience.

16. Rights and Licensing: Consider how you want to license your music. Will it be available for use in films, commercials, or other projects? Make these terms clear.

17. Engage with Your Audience: Interact with your audience when your music is released. Respond to comments, thank listeners for their support, and engage with your fans to build a loyal following.

 

By following these steps and carefully preparing your music for release, you can increase the chances of your songs making a positive impact when posted on the internet and help your music reach a broader audience.

Excellent checklist here. Thank you for posting!