Posted by Phil Altpeter on January 27, 2002 at 22:30:26:
In Reply to: Copywright Information posted by Ryan on January 27, 2002 at 16:58:23:
In the field of copyrights there are several copyrights that can come into play. The composer that wrote the song or the publishing company obtains a copyright on music and lyrics which is noted on the music with the copyright notice of a "C" inside a circle. Someone can not re-arrange the song without the consent of the copyright holder. The Harry Fox Agency is the "collection agency" for the composer/publisher so the composer/publisher is paid a royalty everytime the song is played. Anyone can record the song. So, Elton John and Neil Diamond can both record the song and they can each obtain a copyright for their rendition of the song. This copyright is known as a "P" inside a circle. You can also record the song and obtain your own "P" inside a circle copyright. You need to pay the composer/publisher a royalty fee for using his written music and lyrics. It would be an infringement of your "P" copyright if someone copied the exact sounds of your recording and sold it for profit. The "P" inside a circle copyright was made law on February 15, 1972, to stop pirates from selling exact copies of popular songs done by popular singers, (in 1972 it was pirated eight track tapes that were being sold at swap meets by the thousands).