Registration by a Band

Many (if not most) bands create their music and recordings together as a group and then proceed to obtain legal protection for that original work by registering the copyrights. When songs have been written by a band, each member is usually considered co-owner of the copyright unless the individual members have agreed to the contrary. Each contributor to the work must be identified as an "author" on the copyright application.

Typically, whoever contributed to the composition of the song (melody or lyrics) has an equal claim to the entire copyright as a joint author. The copyright is not divided up according to who did what. Each joint author owns the copyright and each author has rights to use or license the work as long they split any money earned.

When registering the copyright for works created by a band, it is important to identify each contributor and name all the individuals who contributed authorship to the musical compositions, lyrics and/ or recordings. You may indicate that the members are part of a band or performing group, but do not name the band as the author. Why? Naming only a band as author does not clearly identify who the authors are - and keep in mind - bands can break up!

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