💵 New to Block 3?
Before starting the royalty weeks, read the Revenue Collection Roadmap — the three pillars of music income and the registration prep checklist that makes Weeks 10-13 fast.
🎯 Week Goal
Build the vault before filling it with gold: activate a pre-release protection system for every file you share, and officially register your copyrights at copyright.gov with your LLC as claimant.
📌 Learning Objectives
- Distinguish automatic copyright from registered copyright
- Choose the correct form (PA vs. SR) and save money doing it
- Implement the three-step pre-release protection system
- Register works at copyright.gov and track case numbers
⚖️ Automatic vs. Registered Copyright
| AUTOMATIC (you already have this) | REGISTERED (what you're building) |
|---|
| Basic legal protection | Everything in automatic PLUS: |
| Can claim infringement | Sue for up to $150,000 per work (statutory damages) |
| ❌ Cannot sue for max damages | Legal presumption of ownership |
| ❌ Hard to prove ownership internationally | International enforcement |
| ❌ Limited investor credibility | Makes your catalog investible |
💰 Which Form to File — Money-Saving Tip
Form PA (Performing Arts) = composition only (lyrics + melody). Form SR (Sound Recording) = recording only OR both © and ℗.
⭐ If you wrote AND recorded your own songs, use Form SR — it covers BOTH copyrights in ONE $65 filing (up to 10 unpublished songs per application).
🛡️ Pre-Release Protection System
While you wait to officially register, protect every file you share:
- Mark every file
- Add © to the audio file name: Song Title © [Your Publishing LLC] 2026
- Add © to the ID3 Copyright metadata field AND the ID3 Comment field
- Add an email disclaimer whenever you share music:
"All musical compositions and lyrical works attached are copyrighted works (© [YOUR PUBLISHING LLC] [YEAR] All Rights Reserved)"
- Private publication trick — upload to a private SoundCloud or unlisted YouTube video. The song is technically "publicly published" (has a URL) but not searchable — this validates your copyright notice legally
📝 Official Registration at copyright.gov
Create account
(free)
Select form
PA or SR
Enter song info
Pay $65
Upload file
Save case #
- Author: your legal name · Copyright claimant: your LLC (this is what makes the catalog a business asset!)
- Protection is retroactive to the filing date