Who is the copyright owner / author of sound recording?
Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:28 pm
Who is the copyright owner / author of performance, sound recording?
I am an independent recording artist. I have questions about filling out the forms for copyright registration for a CD I just produced. I want to copyright some of the music on on this CD and the CD as a whole. Included on this CD is 1) two songs composed by me, 2) two songs composed by me and a co-writer, and 3) several other songs owned by other publishers and used by permission--mechanical license paid through Harry Fox.
Question one. I paid three musicians to play in the recording of this CD. I also paid for the recording sessions. There was no written agreement. Do I own their performances with respect to copyrighting the Sound Recording in my name? Or do I need to have them sign an agreement to transfer their performance to me? Or include them as copyright owners on the SR form?
Question two. One of the musicians and I composed two songs together which were included on the CD. It is our understanding that we are co-authors and co-owners of these songs. Do we both share in the copyright ownership of the sound recording, or do I own it because of paying him for the recording sessions.
There is no disagreement between us. We just need to know.
Thank you for any input you can give.
Also, is there another forum that would be a good place to post these kinds of questions?
Respectfully
Robin Henkel
G4 AGP 350 accelerated to 1400, Audio Desk, OS 9.2.2
I am an independent recording artist. I have questions about filling out the forms for copyright registration for a CD I just produced. I want to copyright some of the music on on this CD and the CD as a whole. Included on this CD is 1) two songs composed by me, 2) two songs composed by me and a co-writer, and 3) several other songs owned by other publishers and used by permission--mechanical license paid through Harry Fox.
Question one. I paid three musicians to play in the recording of this CD. I also paid for the recording sessions. There was no written agreement. Do I own their performances with respect to copyrighting the Sound Recording in my name? Or do I need to have them sign an agreement to transfer their performance to me? Or include them as copyright owners on the SR form?
Question two. One of the musicians and I composed two songs together which were included on the CD. It is our understanding that we are co-authors and co-owners of these songs. Do we both share in the copyright ownership of the sound recording, or do I own it because of paying him for the recording sessions.
There is no disagreement between us. We just need to know.
Thank you for any input you can give.
Also, is there another forum that would be a good place to post these kinds of questions?
Respectfully
Robin Henkel
G4 AGP 350 accelerated to 1400, Audio Desk, OS 9.2.2