Long before his falling out with Warner Bros. in 1996, Prince was self-publishing his own songs. "Just As Long As We're Together," the B-side to "I Wanna Be Your Lover" was published by Prince's Music Co. You need to own the copyright to publish a song. As the writer of a song, like Prince, you automatically own the copyright. The key is to make it official by registering with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Original Music

Make sure your music and lyrics are original. Things like standard chord progressions and songs with titles like "Love" aren't an issue, but distinctly derivative works can be a problem. The Beatles learned the hard way. Morris Levy, the publisher of Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me," sued John Lennon in the early 1970s for stealing the song's guitar riff and opening lyric and using them in the Beatles' "Come Together." George Harrison was sued for subconsciously lifting the melody for The Chiffons' "He's So Fine" and using it in his song "My Sweet Lord." Although you might be able to register a song that rips off Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" (the U.S. Copyright Office doesn't listen to every song that comes in), it surely will be a problem later on if your song starts getting any attention.

"Created" Work

Record your music and write down your lyrics. Your copyright is secured when a work is created. According to the U.S. Copyright Office: "A work is 'created' when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time." Record your music in whatever way possible, whether it be on a tape recorder or on your computer. You now own the legal rights to this work. For it to hold up in court, you will need to make it official.

U.S. Copyright Office

Visit the U.S. Copyright Office website. You can register your copyright online through their "Electronic Copyright Office." You will fill out a form and submit a fee, as well as a digital copy of your music and any accompanying lyrics. If you don't want to register your copyright online, you can either request forms to be mailed to you or download them from the site. There are two forms for music copyrights, Form PA and Form SR. Form PA, for performing arts works, is the one you want. Form SR is for specific sound recordings of a particular piece of music. Mail in a the fee, form, a CD of your music and a copy of your lyrics. Wait to hear from the Copyright Office until your application is processed. You will get a letter in the mail containing a copy of your copyright.

Source:

Discogs: I Wanna Be Your Lover (12")

Songfacts: Come Together

UCLA Law: Bright Tunes Music v. Harrisongs Music

More Information:

TAXI: Music Copyright Information

U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright Law of the United States