MUSIC PUBLISHING
GLOSSARY

Copyright

The rights granted by law to the creator of an original work. A creator (e.g., a songwriter or author) is entitled to the right to copy, distribute, and adapt their work. Under U.S. copyright law, as soon as you make a tangible copy of a work, you own its copyright. Put another way, if you imagine a song in your head, you have no copyright—but once you write the song down or record it, you are its copyright holder. 

Related Terms:

• Music Publishing

Related Articles:

• Copyright 101
• How to Make the Most of Your Copyrighted Music
• Can you copyright my songs?
• How do I copyright my song?

Related Resources:

• Song Registration Checklist

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