Copyright protection for music can be obtained through several methods, including:
- Automatic Protection: In most countries, including the United States, copyright protection for musical works is automatic and requires no registration. As soon as a musical work is created and fixed in a tangible form (such as being written down or recorded), it is protected by copyright law.
- Copyright Registration: Although not required, registering a musical work with the appropriate government agency can provide additional legal benefits in the event of a copyright dispute. In the United States, this can be done with the U.S. Copyright Office.
- Performing Rights Organizations (PRO): Songwriters and copyright owners can join a PRO such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC in the United States, which tracks public performances of musical works and collects royalties on behalf of its members.
- Mechanical Rights Organizations: In many countries, mechanical rights organizations such as the Harry Fox Agency in the United States, license the rights to reproduce and distribute musical works on physical media (such as CDs) or digital downloads.
- Sound Recording Copyright: In addition to the copyright in the musical composition, there may also be a separate copyright in the sound recording of a song. This is typically owned by the record label or the producer of the recording.
- International Copyright Treaties: Many countries are signatories to international copyright treaties, such as the Berne Convention, which provide protection for musical works in participating countries.