[Fmpro] the copyrighting process

[Jim Chase]

Joel,

Copyright your complete work with the Library of Congress PA form.  
Subsequent copyrights may be purchased for ongoing works.  The cost is 
cheap, compared to being the only one left standing when the music 
ends.  The LOC PA form is intended to copyright major original works, 
rather than up-to-the-minute changes "every time you hit save in your 
sequencer and ship off a cd to the filmmaker."
 
In addition the copyright, your Performance Royalty Organization (ASCAP, 
BMI, or whatever) should be notified with a Cue Sheet informing them of 
details your work, which may be updated by you as often as is 
necessary.  This is a separate procedure from the Copyright form 
submission.  Copyright is to notify the Library of Congress, while Cue 
Sheets are to notify your chosen PRO to track performances of your music.

Submit the Cue Sheets to your PRO yourself, rather than relying on the 
producer to submit them.   Redundancy and accuracy are a plus!  There is 
a trade-off somewhere when you find yourself spending more time 
submitting Cue Sheets, rather than composing music.

An example of a standard Cue Sheet that can be submitted to your chosen 
PRO is provided here:
http://www.billyhalemusic.com/sample_cue_sheet.jpg

Or you can probably find an example in the FORMS section of your PRO 
homepage.
You can lose the data-base grid, but all your relevant info should be there.

Submit the Cue Sheet to your PRO by registered return receipt mail (NOT 
email!), keeping a copy for yourself.  The sooner you mail = better for you.

Jim Chase