Laws For Selling Songs Online

[shondareed]

What is the name of your state? Rhode Island

I am a songwriter. I would like to create a website where I can sell songs, but I do not want anyone to be able to re-sell or use my songs without my permission/without me being paid for it/without me getting credit for it. How should I develop my website? What laws should I be aware of? What do I have to do to ensure no one can steal my songs? If an entertainment lawyer were to develop a contract for me to post online what type of fee should I expect to pay? What might a general contract look like for a situation like mine? Are the laws different because my songs will be sold online?

 

[Fat Tony]

No artist, record company, lawyer, law enforcement, or anybody else in the world can stop the illegal downloading and bootlegging of music. What on earth makes you think you will be able to all of the sudden?

 

[Arrowfan]

Take note: he did not say, what can prevent file-sharing.

He specifically inquired about the re-selling or publication or his songs by others. In other words, if he posts his music and someone steals it (the actual song - as in: chord progression, melody, lyrics. -not the bloody mp3-), what can be done...?

A: register your songs with a publishing company or make your own publishing company and reg there. If they are stolen and you find out and you can prove original authorship - you can then take some % of all sales they generated.