| What is Copyright? | | | | digital audio transmission. |
| | | | |
| The Copyright Act usually gives the copyright | | | | How do I protect my original music |
| owner the exclusive right to do and to | | | | compositions? |
| authorize others to do the following: | | | | |
| | | | There are a few things that you can do to |
| · To reproduce the work in written | | | | ensure that your work is protected: |
| copies, mp3s, Cds, Dvds etc; | | | | |
| | | | 1. Somewhere on your sheet music |
| · To prepare derivative works | | | | (usually at the top or bottom) you should |
| based upon the work; | | | | put the symbol © (the letter 'C' in a |
| | | | circle) and/or the word "Copyright"; |
| · To distribute the written copies | | | | |
| or Cds/Dvds of the work to the public by sale | | | | 2. Write down the first year of |
| or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, | | | | publication of the music. E.g. "2005"; |
| lease, or lending; | | | | |
| | | | 3. Include the name of the composer. |
| · To perform the work publicly, in | | | | |
| the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and | | | | 4. You can post yourself a sealed copy |
| choreographic works, pantomimes, and motion | | | | of your own work, which, when it arrives |
| pictures and other audiovisual works; | | | | will have a date stamped on it. |
| | | | |
| · To display the copyrighted work | | | | Do not open the envelope. |
| publicly, in the case of literary, musical, | | | | |
| dramatic, and choreographic works, | | | | Store it in a safe place. |
| pantomimes, and pictorial, graphic, or | | | | |
| sculptural works, including the individual | | | | 5. Register your work with the music |
| images of a motion picture or other | | | | copyright association in your country. In |
| audiovisual work; and | | | | Australia it is the Australian Performing |
| | | | Right Association. These days, you can join |
| · In the case of sound recordings, | | | | and submit work online. |
| to perform the work publicly by means of a | | | | |