Copyright Protections Extend to Music
Copyright protections are important for ensuring that composers get credit and compensation for any of their works that is later performed by another. The need for music copyrighting was encoded into law with the passage of the Copyright Act of 1976. The steps for securing this protection are quite simple. Essentially any piece of music that is written down or “fixed into any tangible medium,” qualifies for the protection. It is common practice, and a good idea, to document that protection on the written piece by calling out the protection on the bottom of the first page of the music. The piece should then be registered with the Copyright Office before the first public performance.