Paramount Song on First Possession and Ownership of Lyrics and Music

The representatives at Paramount Song offer time-tested advice to assist songwriters from around the world in realizing their greatest dreams.

Despite what many novice songwriters may believe, a registered work does not necessarily prove ownership. Paramount Song notes that a majority of legal disputes about registered copyrights exist between two parties whose work is essentially the same. The copyright office is unable to sort through all previous filings to make a determination.

Songwriters own the copyright of all compositions at the moment that they complete them. According to Paramount Song, registration serves as a support for legal remedies, but the act does not offer full and complete proof. The team at Paramount Song advises songwriters to put a date on each song or lyric they create and to maintain a writing diary with a description for all entries. Another option is to contact a public notary and request that a copy of the work be notarized and dated. This establishes a specific date of possession.

Perhaps the most convincing proof of ownership for a songwriter is what Paramount Song refers to as “first possession.” If songwriters send their compositions to the organization on a certain date, it is a clear representation that the song is original and must not be duplicated by anyone else. Keeping track of appointment times, dates and places of writing is another excellent form of evidence.

According to Paramount Song the company is not responsible for registering songs written by its writers. For information about the U.S. Copyright office, songwriters and other music industry professionals can visit copyright.gov. When songwriters have questions about music publishers and their role in the music industry, the representatives at Paramount Song stand ready with answers. Contact them today at info@paramountsong.com.