Members Services

Songwriting Copyright Protection Service

SONGWRITING COPYRIGHT PROTECTION - The Copyright Service provides the opportunity for songwriting and composing members of The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers to register with the Guild's Copyright Registration Centre for copyright protection their songwriting and composing copyrights and ownership of their own (and co-written works with other Guild members) 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 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. Copyright protection through the Guild's Copyright & Intellectual property rights witnessing service is free to all Guild members of The Guild of International Songwriters & Composers who wish to protect their copyright & intellectual property rights.

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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 song assessment service is free to all members.

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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 collaboration service is free to all members.

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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) song contests, facebook, myspace, and, in fact, understanding the many 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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