Members Services

Songwriting Copyright Protection Service

SONGWRITERS INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

The Copyright Service provides lifetime copyright protection and peace of mind for songwriters and provides the opportunity for songwriting and composing members of The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers to register free with the Guild's Copyright Registration Centre for copyright protection their songwriting and composing copyrights and ownership of their own and any co-written (with other Guild members) works (songs/instrumentals) copyrights & intellectual property rights FREE of charge, therefore, safeguarding the Guild members’ songwriting copyright and other intellectual copyrights.

A Copyright Certificate issued to the Guild member outlines details of the copyrights registered on any specific date to help protect against any copyright theft, claim, infringement or dispute. Copyright protection through the Guild's members free Copyright Service can be used for the registration of songs, instrumental themes, manuscripts, lyric sheets, paper documents, poetry, traditional arrangements of songs/instrumentals, musicals, advertisements, spoken word, literary (consisting of or occupied with books), musical tutorials, manuals, literature or written composition, artistic, belletristic, poetic, dramatic, recorded works, sound recordings such as demos, commercial releases, library recordings, archive recordings, videos, films, etc, in formats to include cassette tape, DAT (Digital Audio Tape), compact disc, vinyl, mini-disc, computer disk (floppy disk / CD ROM), VHS video, DVD.

The Guild will supply where there is ever any copyright dispute certified information and a copy of works registered with the Guild, as an official declaration of a members registration, to solicitors, lawyers or any member's other legal representatives in any country in the world where cases of copyright disputes arise, to support our members' copyright registrations and claims.

Copyright protection through the Guild's Copyright & Intellectual property rights witnessing service is free to all members of The Guild of International Songwriters & Composers who wish to protect their copyright & intellectual property rights.

How much does the Guild's Copyright Service cost? The Guild's Copyright service which is only available to Guild members is free service within the songwriters and composers membership and can be used as many times as the Guild member wishes.

How Long does the Guild's Copyright registration last? Once you have registered your copyright (intellectual property rights) with the Guild then you do not have to register the work with the Guild again (unless there is a significant change to the work - songs/instrumentals). Your certificate is proof of the registration and your claim is held on our files as evidence of your registration.

Don't be fooled into paying for further copyright registrations after a few years to some organisations, companies or individuals who have set up a fee paying copyright registration service at an expense per song. There is no need to do this. In the UK for instance your copyright is valid for 70 years after your death where the work then passess into Public Domain. Your membership to The Guild entitles you to register as many of your works as you wish FREE of charge within your membership. The Guild's Copyright Registration Centre has operated its copyright service for its members for the past twenty five(25) years

How do I register my works with the Guild? Registration is extremely simple and quick. All the information on how to use the free members copyright service is outlined in the membership pack you receive when you become a member.

Is there any reason for me to register my works (songs/instrumentals)? Absolutely, yes. Registration is evidence of your claim to the fact that you wrote the work and that you have taken steps to identify yourself as the true legitimate owner of the work(s) from a certain date in time. If you have a copyright case to defend where someone has plagiarised/stolen your work, how are you going to prove that you wrote it and that you are the legitimate owner of the work. The Guild's copyright certificate is evidence that you took steps to register the work as your own and that the intelectual property rights are yours. It is extremely important to protect your copyrights which could be a valuable asset where royalty income/money is being generated.

I have posted a copy of my works to myself, but have heard this referred to as a poor persons copyright. Mailing a copy of the work(s) to yourself is not a good practice in itself. This type of evidence is problematic If the packet/envelope is sealed with sellotape or stapled then it could be argued that it has been opened and resealed, and could be fake/corrupted evidence. We strongly advise against this type of registration as a main registration but is good as a secondary back up to a main registration in support.

At what point should I register my works for copyright? As soon as you have finished writing / composing your song / instrumental and you are satisfied that the work(s) is finished then the moment it is writen down (lyrics / manuscript) or recorded then that is the time to register your copyright. You should do this as quickly as possible before it is given to anyone for any purpose.

When promoting my song / instrumentals should I undertake to do anything to help protect my copyrights? The main priority is to ensure that you keep a copy of the letter you have written that you are sending with your demo, and to ensure that you get a certificate of posting with the name of the person/company, to whom you are sending your copyrights. Evidence that your work(s) is in circulation is very important. Always use the copyright symbol © or the word copyright on your lyric sheets and recordings along with your name and the year date. Ensure that you label everything (lyric sheets, manuscripts, recording media i.e cassette, CD, DVD, Video etc and their cases) with you name, address, telephone number and email contact.

Top of page

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING SONG ASSESSMENT SERVICE

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING SONG ASSESSMENT SERVICE

SONGWRITING -It is important for songwriters, composers, lyricists and performing songwriters to have a market direction in respect to their songwriting and/or performances. Through the Guild’s Song Assessment Service, Guild members have the opportunity to have their own (and co-written works with other Guild members) songs, lyrics and instrumental themes assessed and analysed free of charge. The Guild gives opinions and advice as to the commercial value of songs, lyrics and instrumental themes. The Guild offers advice on promotion and the chance of success in obtaining a music publishing deal, record deal, management deal, development deal, and can further advise on self-music publishing and the self-release of records, video and DVDs. All songs, lyrics and instrumental themes sent to the Guild’s Song Assessment Service are analysed free of charge by A & R personnel in the Guild’s associated music publishing company and a written assessment is given. The songwriting song assessment service is free to all members.

Top of page

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING COLLABORATION SERVICE

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING COLLABORATION SERVICE

SONGWRITING - If you cannot write melodies or you cannot write lyrics then you may need someone with whom to collaborate. The Guild’s Collaboration Service can help members get in touch with a composer member of the Guild or a lyricist member of the Guild through the Guild’s Collaboration register. If you wish to be included on the Guild’s lyricists/composers Collaboration Register then you can notify the Guild by giving full particulars on the application form when applying for membership. The songwriting collaboration service is free to all members.

Top of page

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING ADVICE, CONSULTANCY, INFORMATION AND MUSIC INDUSTRY CONTACT SERVICE

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING ADVICE, CONSULTANCY, INFORMATION AND MUSIC INDUSTRY CONTACT SERVICE

SONGWRITING - There are many aspects of the music industry on which songwriters, composers, lyricists and performing songwriters require knowledge, information, advice and consultancy. Understanding songwriting, music publishing, recording, management, producer contracts-the right to receive money as royalty payments and advance money in respect to the exploitation of copyrights-signing contracts/agreements-negotiating music publishing, recording, management, production agreements-foreign and sub-publishing deals, how to contact music publishers, record companies, management companies, artistes and music industry personnel-music on the Internet-synchronisation and the licensing of copyrights for television, film and advertising, distribution, major companies versus independent companies, the role of the music publisher, licensing deals, song plugging, song promotions, copyright protection, sampling and the right to use samples ,artistes’ rights, songwriters’ rights, performers' rights, MP3, WAV, Internet, online promotions, distributions, mechanical royalties, public performance royalties, who pays the money, your royalties and your right to the money, protecting your name, preserving your identity ,collection rights societies/organisations, knowing about the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS), the Performing Right Society (PRS), Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), Video Performance Ltd (VPL), ASCAP, BMI, Harry Fox, TONO, GEMA BUMA-STEMRA, etc, etc, the digital revolution, Digital Service Providers (DSP's), Digital aggregators, distributors (digital and physical distribution), song contests, facebook, myspace, and, in fact, understanding the many various aspects of the music business in general-whatever your requirements and needs in respect to information and advice then the Advice, Consultancy, Information and Contact Service is available to Guild members. This service is free to all members.

Top of page

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING LEGAL CONTACT SERVICE

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING LEGAL CONTACT SERVICE

SONGWRITING -The Guild can assist members with contacts for specialist legal advisors if the need arises. Songwriters, composers, lyricists and performing songwriters may also wish to consult with a solicitor in respect to examining contracts offered by music publishers, record companies, management companies, etc. However, the Guild can advise on any agreement/contract a Guild member has been offered with regard to its validity, to ensure that the agreement/contract offered is not devoid of necessary statement and clauses, which may make it unfair. Any agreement offered should be fair and reasonable to protect the Guild member’s interests. This service is free to all members.

Top of page

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING INVESTIGATION SERVICE

SONGWRITERS SONGWRITING INVESTIGATION SERVICE

SONGWRITING - It is important for you as a songwriter, composer, lyricist and/or performing songwriter to know that you are dealing with reputable people and companies. The Guild can advise you in respect to the persons or company with which you intend to work and to any practices which are deemed to be unfair, a restraint of trade or a restrictive practice. The Guild can act as arbitrator between a Guild member and any other party, if required. We can also advise you relating to the right to receive money by way of royalties for any use of your songs. This service is free to all members.

Top of page

SONGWRITING AND COMPOSING MAGAZINE

SONGWRITING AND COMPOSING MAGAZINE

SONGWRITING - The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers has been publishing Songwriting and Composing magazine quarterly since 1986. It is issued free to members of the Guild. Throughout each year Songwriting and Composing magazine contains reviews, articles, profiles, information and details on music publishers, record companies, management companies, production companies, artistes, songwriters, contact information on music publishers seeking songs and instrumental themes, record companies seeking artistes, management companies seeking acts for development, Collaboration Register contacts and details, Topics News and Songsearch, song contests, Guild members, and other general information. Songwriting and Composing magazine is free to all members.

Top of page

SONGSEARCH FOR SONGWRITING & SONGWRITERS

SONGSEARCH FOR SONGWRITING AND SONGWRITERS

SONGWRITING - Song Search is part of the Guild’s Songwriting and Composing magazine and throughout each year outlines the requirements of music publishers, record companies, management companies, artistes, producers, etc seeking new songs, artistes and recordings. Songwriting and Composing magazine is free to all members.

Top of page

SONGWRITING DEMONSTRATION RECORDING SERVICE FOR SONGWRITERS

SONGWRITINGS DEMONSTRATION RECORDING SERVICE FOR SONGWRITERS

SONGWRITING - Members can have their songs recorded for promotion to music publishers, record companies, management companies, artistes, song contests, etc. Demo recordings are produced to a professional studio standard suitable for promotional purposes from Guild member’s basic recordings or manuscripts by Songwriting, Composing and Musical Productions who have been serving Guild members with their demo productions and arrangements of songs and compositions since 1988. A Guild of International Songwriters & Composers service to the Guild's songwriting and composing members.

Link to the Guild as a friend on myspace - visit: myspace.com/guildofsongwriters

A successful 2010 and 2011 for songwriters' songwriting royalties

Over £545m of songwriting and publishing royalties were paid to PRSforMusic songwriter, composer and publisher members in 2010. For the first time PRSforMusic's revenue has topped £600 million, which is an amazing achievement. PRSforMusic’s record results have seen: Licensing revenue growth of 8% on 2009. Double digit growth in three of our four licensing areas effective licensing of new online services Growth of 9% in net distributable revenue on 2008.

The PRSforMusic's July 2011 distribution totalled just over £91million. In total the PRSforMusic July 2011 distribution contained more than 2,274 separate usage sources, generating 126million transactions. There were some 35million unique performanmces during the quarter made up of 674,905 distinct works to include Guild members works.

The PRSforMusic October 2011 royalty distribution totalled just over £127 million to its publisher and writer members. In total the October 2011 royalty distribution contains more than 2,400 separate usage sources, generating 109 million transactions. There were some 37 million unique performances during the quarter, made up of more than 8000,000 distinct works.

Songwriting and publishing royalties are a substantial source of income.

Top of page