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Section 6

Section 6 is only for those who marked ‘Yes’ in section 5. Let’s continue with our scenario, I am the lyricist/artist who bought music from a writer. In Section 6 I must give the name that the music writer gave to their collection of music as well as the name of the music that I sang over. So if the music writer followed my directions from Section 1 and called their work, “Ron’s Beat Collection 1”, then I write that in space ‘a’ as well as the name that Ron gave the music I bought, let’s say he called it Song #5. Then in space ‘b’ I would write a sentence explaining what I added to his music, I’d write, “I added lyrics to Ron’s Song #5”. And that’s it.

Section 7

Section 7 is pretty straightforward. In letter ‘a’ you would write your bank account number if you wanted to pay your filing fee directly out of your bank account. I don’t recommend this since you would have no written proof of paying them. Leave it blank. Just write a check or get someone you know to write a check or buy a Money Order made out to the “Register of Copyrights”. Space ‘b’ is yet another place you write your full name and your permanent address. Here you can include your telephone number and email address as well.

Section 8

Section 8 is where you make this whole thing official. Under CERTIFICATION you check that you are the “author” or the work. All the other check boxes are for different legal scenarios that you don’t need to worry about. Then you print your name and the date below that and finally under the line that says “Handwritten signature” you sign your name.

Section 9

Last but not least, Section 9 is where you write your address yet again. This is what will actually appear in the envelope that they mail back to you so make sure to get it right. Again, use a permanent address, like a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, anyone who you know is not going to move any time soon.

Drop your finished application along with your material to be copyrighted like your lyrics, your music or both, and a check made out to the Register of Copyrights into an envelope and mail it to:

Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC, 20559-6000

The fee that you have to pay does change from time to time. At the time of this writing the fee was $45. You can always get the latest fee information at www.copyright.gov. It says the latest fee scale at the top of the page. Now, it can take anywhere from 2-8 months to get the official certificate but your work is protected the minute it makes it to the Copyright Office. And when you get your first legal copyright certificate keep it in a safe place. If you happen to lose it, you can order another for a fee.

So I have taken you all the way through U.S. Copyright Form SR. Feel free to email me with any questions. I’d be happy to help. Good luck!

Hans Erik
Content Marketing Director
Hans@Next2Friends.com
www.Next2Friends.com