Check out the books I ve listed and talk to more experienced musicians. And if you ve got questions regarding these issues, contact an attorney familiar with entertainment law, your state law, and your particular situation. I ve already explained how easy it is to get a copyright for a song. Copyright registration is a formal, but usually very simple, process of making a public record of your copyright. This public record along with the copyright symbol, in theory, puts people on notice that the work is protected.
Registration is required before an action can be brought against an infringer.
When to register. I recommend that all my clients register their copyrights before going into the studio. I even like to see them register a song before they begin performing it live. If the song is important enough to work up, perform live, or record, it deserves registration. How to register .