Public Domain & Copyright Resources
If you would like information added or removed from any of these pages, Please email The Web Admins.
ASCAP - http://www.ascap.com/about/
Choral Public Domain Library - http://www.cpdl.org/ (*A resource to start a search or share public domain choral arrangements)
Creative Commons License - Create a license! http://creativecommons.org/choose/
Easy Song Licensing.com - If Harry Fox doesn't have it (and/or if you prefer working with personal and live support as needed),
this is the other site that might have the works available. Reasonable rates for 'short runs' (less then 2500 units)
This is also a licencing site for independant artists: http://www.easysonglicensing.com/ 1-800-360-5192 Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm Central
Harry Fox Agency - http://www.harryfox.com/ (*A resource to start a search to check if something is in the public domain;
and/or to purchase mechanical and digital licenses for use)
IMSLP - Petrucci Music Library http://imslp.org/ Sharing the world’s public domain music.
Intellectual Property Office (United Kingdom) - http://www.ipo.gov.uk/
Mechanical License Information - What a mechanical license is and why you need one to record & sell covers other's copywritten works- this includes filks!: You can copyright your own lyrics, but need the license for the tune. Not a concern if the tune is public domain.
You will also need a separate digital license if you want to allow your cover works to be able to be downloaded:
http://www.easysonglicensing.com/Pages/About/Types%20of%20Music%20Licenses/TypesOfMusicLicenses.aspx
http://www.easysonglicensing.com/Pages/About/Types%20of%20Music%20Licenses/Mechanical.aspx
Mechanical license royalty rates: http://www.copyright.gov/carp/m200a.html
Print License Information - A third license to know about if you ever covered an existing arrangement of someone elses song and wanted to reprint the LYRICS; there is a print licensing fee - http://www.easysonglicensing.com/Pages/About/Types%20of%20Music%20Licenses/Print.aspx
Public Domain Info Project - http://www.pdinfo.com/ (*A resource to start a search to check if something is in the public domain)
United States Library of Congress Copyright Office - http://www.copyright.gov/
US Copyright Information Document on Fair Use - http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
US Copyright Information Document on Derivative Works and Compilations - http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ14.pdf
Current Fees - http://www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html
Information for mailing in materials- http://www.copyright.gov/mail.html
eCO (electric Copyright Office) registration; $35 for basic claim - http://www.copyright.gov/eco/
Mail in Registrations: $65, check or money order. Sound recording form (will open .PDF) - http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formsr.pdf
Visual Arts form - http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formva.pdf
United States Patent and Trademark Office - http://www.uspto.gov/
Related Articles
How to Use Song Lyrics in Your Book (with InfoGraphic) - http://www.betternovelproject.com/blog/song-lyrics/