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