IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL DISCSERVICES ORDERS MUST HAVE COMPLETED IPR (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS) FORMS.  YOUR PROJECT CANNOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL WE HAVE RECEIVED THEM. THANK YOU!

Copyrights:

Every song that you write is your property.  Sweetwater strongly advises that you have your original material copyrighted.  The forms you need to copyright your music are available from the Library of Congress.  Visit their website at www.copyright.gov for more information.

Mechanical Licenses:

When you record a “cover” of someone else’s song you need to get a mechanical license authorizing you to reproduce their material. You can find out who owns the copyright by contacting ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC and then contact the copyright owner directly or you can contact the Harry Fox Agency (harryfox.com or songfile.com) and they will issue the mechanical license. If any of your songs belong to someone else, you must credit the owner of the copyright on your artwork.

If you are using a 'rip' of a previously recorded work, you must also get clearance from the owner of the rights to that specific recording. This would include samples, beats, compilations, and karaoke tracks.

Useful websites and contact information:

ASCAP
(800) 95-ASCAP
www.ascap.com

BMI
(212) 586-2000
www.bmi.com

SESAC
(212) 586-3450
www.sesac.com

Harry Fox Agency
(212) 370-5330
www.harryfox.com

Library of Congress
(202) 707-9100
www.copyright.gov