Protect your work

Your music is yours. Here's how copyright works, what BandBoard records for you, and how to register your songs officially.

1. You already own it

Copyright exists the moment you create a song or record it — you don't have to register to own it. Registration doesn't stop anyone from copying your work; it gives you the legal tools to act if they do.

2. What BandBoard records

When you publish a showcase, BandBoard stores a dated SHA-256 fingerprint of your file and the time you confirmed you own it. You'll find it in the song's Showcase window. It's useful evidence of what you had and when — but it is not a copyright registration, and BandBoard does not register copyrights on your behalf.

3. Register with the U.S. Copyright Office

Official registration is filed by you (the owner) online at copyright.gov/registration. Why it matters:

• In the U.S. you generally must register before you can sue for infringement.

• Registering before an infringement (or within three months of first publishing) lets you seek statutory damages and attorney's fees.

• A registration certificate is strong evidence of ownership.

Fees are modest (currently about $45 for one work by one author who owns it all, or $65 for the standard application) and are set by the Copyright Office, so check the current schedule. If you own both the song and the recording, you can often register them together. Unpublished songs can be registered too.

4. Get paid when your music is performed

Joining a performing-rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or GMR) registers your songs for performance royalties. That's separate from copyright registration — most songwriters do both.

5. If someone uses your work

If you see your music on BandBoard without your permission, use the Report this content link on the song's public page, or email copyright@bandboard.com. See Section 6 of our Terms for the notice process.

This page is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your rights, talk to an entertainment attorney.