Hi Dano,

The music is protected by filing for a copyright after you compose it. The U.S. Library of Congress sends out Form PA which you fill out and return with a tape or CD (or even sheet music, if you prefer to do it that way) of your stuff and it generally takes a few weeks to get it back. This you then keep as your official copyright proof.

But the main point many don't understand is that once you send it in, you can already go ahead and show the music/song to others, because even if they take it and send in their own copyright form, it will never reach the Library of Congress before yours. Also it is becoming more and more the prevailing opinion that once you post it somewhere, especially on a website, the time and date is already established at that exact point. If someone were to say they wrote it afterwards, they earliest they could show any proof would be AFTER they saw it on the internet.

As to more info, this is a short blurb about them by a songwriting professional who publishes a newsletter:

Just Plain Folks - www.jpfolks.com - is a fantastic organization, over 11,000 members strong - especially for people who want to make it in the music biz. Participation could be a great thing for your career! Have a look at the web site and if you're interested in getting involved, just click here:

mailto:jpnotes@aol.com?cc=jodi@musesmuse.com&subject=IWantToJoin

and include your full name, your city, your state/province and your country in the body of your email. By joining, you'll also be
entered into a weekly drawing for great prizes (which is why they need your full name)! They send out a free newsletter once every two weeks and it's a great way to keep informed about what's happening out there - especially if you're an indie.

I've been a mentor @ JPF for several years now. They're well worth checking out! If the link above doesn't work for you, you can also email me directly and I can take care of it for you. -- Jodi


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Regards and Aloha,

Charlie