"Steal" Your Latest Song? 5 Ways to Avoid Accidental Plagiarism.

Composers sometimes get the “I think I’ve heard this before” fear. It’s a very real issue because successful songs are a mix of innovative ideas with established songwriting practice. And with the balance firmly toward predictable, songwriting can present you with the nagging fear that you might have accidentally plagiarized your new song.

Note to Gymnastics Canada: Songwriting is a PROFESSION

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. _____________ The Chronicle-Herald, the daily newspaper from Halifax, Nova Scotia, ran a story Saturday, November 28, describing a situation where Canada’s national composers’ society (SOCAN) is wanting to be paid for the music used by local gymnastics groups. (See story here.) Gymnastics Canada has […]

Copyright without Registration Limits Your Legal Power

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website Follow Gary on Twitter Every document you read will tell you that copyright is automatic upon the creation of an original work. If you’ve written it, you own it. That may be true, but unless you’ve registered the copyright, you lack the legal power […]

Don Henley's Lawsuit – Does it Have a Chance?

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: According to CNN, Don Henley, one of the founding members of The Eagles, has filed a lawsuit against Senator Charles DeVore for using one of his songs for a political campaign. How much protection does copyright offer in these cases? The whole issue of copyright […]

Songwriters, What Are Others Doing To Your Songs? You Have Rights.

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website:   For songwriters, it’s tremendously important to know your rights,particularly if you want your songs to be sung and recorded by others. Sadly, most songwriters don’t really understand this essential part of the business. You might be missing out on money that’s owed to you. […]

Don't Let Others Steal Your Songs- Register Your Copyright

It’s very important to consider the protection of your music if you are interested in shopping your songs around to be performed. But for many songwriters, the issue of how to properly protect those songsis muddled at best. What do you do to be certain that dishonest people don’t steal your songs? Most of the confusion […]