Copyright Guide
How to Copyright Your Music & Films
Protecting your creative work is crucial. Below is a guide on how musicians, bands, and filmmakers can secure copyrights for their work worldwide.
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Copyrighting Music
Is Copyright Registration Required?
In most countries, copyright protection is automatic as soon as an original song is created and recorded. However, official registration is recommended as it provides legal proof of ownership and makes enforcement easier.
Copyright Registration by Country
Australia (IP Australia)
Copyright is automatic, but registration is not required.
You can find official copyright resources at:
IP Australia: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au
Australian Copyright Council: https://www.copyright.org.au
United States (U.S. Copyright Office)
Registration is not required but highly recommended.
Register your music through the U.S. Copyright Office:
U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov
United Kingdom (Intellectual Property Office – IPO UK)
Copyright protection is automatic.
The UK does not have an official copyright registration system for music.
Musicians can use timestamped records (e.g., using a third-party service like cloud storage) as proof.
UK Intellectual Property Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
Canada (Canadian Intellectual Property Office – CIPO)
Copyright is automatic, but official registration is available for extra legal protection.
Register music copyrights at:
CIPO: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/Home
European Union (EU Intellectual Property Office – EUIPO)
Copyright is automatic under the EU Copyright Directive.
There is no official copyright registration system in most EU countries, but artists can use timestamped storage solutions for proof.
EU Intellectual Property Office: https://euipo.europa.eu
New Zealand
Copyright is automatic under the Copyright Act 1994.
No registration is required.
More information:
IPONZ: https://www.iponz.govt.nz
Other Countries
Many other nations follow the Berne Convention, which grants automatic copyright protection.
Some countries have official copyright registration systems, while others rely on proof of creation through timestamps and contracts.
Berne Convention: https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/
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Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)
If you want to collect royalties when your music is played publicly, register with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO):
Australia & New Zealand – APRA AMCOS: https://www.apraamcos.com.au
United States – ASCAP: https://www.ascap.com | BMI: https://www.bmi.com
United Kingdom – PRS for Music: https://www.prsformusic.com
Canada – SOCAN: https://www.socan.com
European Union – GEMA (Germany): https://www.gema.de | SACEM (France): https://www.sacem.fr
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Copyrighting Films
How Film Copyright Works
Like music, films are automatically copyrighted as soon as they are created and recorded. However, registration is recommended in some countries for additional legal proof.
Copyright Registration by Country
Australia (IP Australia)
Film copyright is automatic, and registration is not required.
More information:
IP Australia: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au
United States (U.S. Copyright Office)
Registration is not required but highly recommended to establish proof of ownership.
Register your film here:
U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov
United Kingdom (IPO UK)
Copyright is automatic, but there is no official film copyright registration system.
Filmmakers can use timestamped storage solutions for extra proof of ownership.
UK Intellectual Property Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
Canada (CIPO)
Copyright is automatic, but official registration is available.
More information:
CIPO: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/Home
European Union (EUIPO)
Films are protected automatically under EU copyright law.
No official registration system exists in most EU countries.
EU Intellectual Property Office: https://euipo.europa.eu
New Zealand
Copyright is automatic under the Copyright Act 1994.
More information:
IPONZ: https://www.iponz.govt.nz
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How to Prove Ownership & Strengthen Protection
Even though copyright is automatic, you can take steps to prove ownership:
For Music & Films
✔ Keep original files and timestamps – Save drafts, recording files, and timestamps in cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).
✔ Add a copyright notice – Include © [Year] [Your Name] in credits and promotional materials.
✔ Use contracts – Sign agreements with collaborators to confirm ownership.
✔ Register with an official copyright office if available in your country.
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How to Enforce Your Copyright
If someone copies or distributes your work without permission:
1. Submit a copyright takedown request (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Spotify).
2. Contact the platform hosting the stolen content.
3. Seek legal advice if necessary.
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Additional Resources
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): https://www.wipo.int
U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov
IP Australia: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au
Canadian Intellectual Property Office: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/Home
UK Intellectual Property Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
---
Need More Help?
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Protecting your creative work is crucial. Below is a guide on how musicians, bands, and filmmakers can secure copyrights for their work worldwide.
---
Copyrighting Music
Is Copyright Registration Required?
In most countries, copyright protection is automatic as soon as an original song is created and recorded. However, official registration is recommended as it provides legal proof of ownership and makes enforcement easier.
Copyright Registration by Country
Australia (IP Australia)
Copyright is automatic, but registration is not required.
You can find official copyright resources at:
IP Australia: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au
Australian Copyright Council: https://www.copyright.org.au
United States (U.S. Copyright Office)
Registration is not required but highly recommended.
Register your music through the U.S. Copyright Office:
U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov
United Kingdom (Intellectual Property Office – IPO UK)
Copyright protection is automatic.
The UK does not have an official copyright registration system for music.
Musicians can use timestamped records (e.g., using a third-party service like cloud storage) as proof.
UK Intellectual Property Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
Canada (Canadian Intellectual Property Office – CIPO)
Copyright is automatic, but official registration is available for extra legal protection.
Register music copyrights at:
CIPO: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/Home
European Union (EU Intellectual Property Office – EUIPO)
Copyright is automatic under the EU Copyright Directive.
There is no official copyright registration system in most EU countries, but artists can use timestamped storage solutions for proof.
EU Intellectual Property Office: https://euipo.europa.eu
New Zealand
Copyright is automatic under the Copyright Act 1994.
No registration is required.
More information:
IPONZ: https://www.iponz.govt.nz
Other Countries
Many other nations follow the Berne Convention, which grants automatic copyright protection.
Some countries have official copyright registration systems, while others rely on proof of creation through timestamps and contracts.
Berne Convention: https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/
---
Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)
If you want to collect royalties when your music is played publicly, register with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO):
Australia & New Zealand – APRA AMCOS: https://www.apraamcos.com.au
United States – ASCAP: https://www.ascap.com | BMI: https://www.bmi.com
United Kingdom – PRS for Music: https://www.prsformusic.com
Canada – SOCAN: https://www.socan.com
European Union – GEMA (Germany): https://www.gema.de | SACEM (France): https://www.sacem.fr
---
Copyrighting Films
How Film Copyright Works
Like music, films are automatically copyrighted as soon as they are created and recorded. However, registration is recommended in some countries for additional legal proof.
Copyright Registration by Country
Australia (IP Australia)
Film copyright is automatic, and registration is not required.
More information:
IP Australia: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au
United States (U.S. Copyright Office)
Registration is not required but highly recommended to establish proof of ownership.
Register your film here:
U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov
United Kingdom (IPO UK)
Copyright is automatic, but there is no official film copyright registration system.
Filmmakers can use timestamped storage solutions for extra proof of ownership.
UK Intellectual Property Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
Canada (CIPO)
Copyright is automatic, but official registration is available.
More information:
CIPO: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/Home
European Union (EUIPO)
Films are protected automatically under EU copyright law.
No official registration system exists in most EU countries.
EU Intellectual Property Office: https://euipo.europa.eu
New Zealand
Copyright is automatic under the Copyright Act 1994.
More information:
IPONZ: https://www.iponz.govt.nz
---
How to Prove Ownership & Strengthen Protection
Even though copyright is automatic, you can take steps to prove ownership:
For Music & Films
✔ Keep original files and timestamps – Save drafts, recording files, and timestamps in cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).
✔ Add a copyright notice – Include © [Year] [Your Name] in credits and promotional materials.
✔ Use contracts – Sign agreements with collaborators to confirm ownership.
✔ Register with an official copyright office if available in your country.
---
How to Enforce Your Copyright
If someone copies or distributes your work without permission:
1. Submit a copyright takedown request (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Spotify).
2. Contact the platform hosting the stolen content.
3. Seek legal advice if necessary.
---
Additional Resources
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): https://www.wipo.int
U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov
IP Australia: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au
Canadian Intellectual Property Office: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/Home
UK Intellectual Property Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
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Need More Help?
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
