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USA

United States Copyright Office
http://copyright.gov

Copyright Basics
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf

Copyright in Derivative Works and Compilations
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ14.pdf

UK

Gov.uk Copyright
https://www.gov.uk/intellectual-property/copyright

Ownership of copyright works
https://www.gov.uk/ownership-of-copyright-works

Articles that seem sensible

Copyright Ownership for Collaborative Projects - Owen, Wickersham & Erickson
http://www.owe.com/resources/legalities/28-copyright-ownership-collaborative-projects/

Co-authors and Musical Collaboration - Alan Korn Attorney at Law
http://www.alankorn.com/articles/joint_authors.html

Works Owned by One or More Creators - Digital Media Law Project
http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/works-owned-one-or-more-creators

Copyright Basics for Musicians - Jon M. Garon
http://www.gcglaw.com/resources/entertainment/music-copyright.html

Recording Artist Project (RAP) - Harvard
http://www.recordingartistsproject.com/
#327 Posted Thu 05 Mar, 2015 5:53 am
From one of those sites:

"Most songwriters already have their copyright before they realize it.

A Copyright (literally: the right to copy) exists instantly whenever a piece of music is created and fixed in some tangible form. "Fixed" just means it's recorded or written down in some fashion."


From another one of those sites:

" If you are a joint author, you hold an equal interest in the copyright with the other authors regardless of your actual contribution to the work.

Technically speaking, you hold an undivided ownership share in the copyright. An undivided ownership share provides nearly all the rights of individual ownership, while also sharing the value of those rights. As a joint author, you retain the right to reproduce the work, create derivative works, distribute copies of the work, and publicly display or perform the work without getting the permission of the other joint authors. Of course, this goes both ways, and the other joint authors may do the same. You can also transfer your undivided ownership share without seeking approval. "


When I download a work from this site I am bound by no contract or pre-agreement. Therefore the instant I add my creative bits I become a co owner of a new joint work with the author(s) whose work I just added to. I do not have to sign any agreements at the close of the project, I do not have to pass an audition, I do not even have to post my work to this site at all.
#329 Posted Thu 05 Mar, 2015 7:54 am
From one of those sites: [i]"Most songwriters already have their copyright before they realize it. A Copyright (literally: the right to copy) exists instantly whenever a piece of music is created and fixed in some tangible form. "Fixed" just means it's recorded or written down in some fashion."[/i] From another one of those sites: [i]" If you are a joint author, you hold an equal interest in the copyright with the other authors regardless of your actual contribution to the work. Technically speaking, you hold an undivided ownership share in the copyright. An undivided ownership share provides nearly all the rights of individual ownership, while also sharing the value of those rights. As a joint author, you retain the right to reproduce the work, create derivative works, distribute copies of the work, and publicly display or perform the work without getting the permission of the other joint authors. Of course, this goes both ways, and the other joint authors may do the same. You can also transfer your undivided ownership share without seeking approval. "[/i] When I download a work from this site I am bound by no contract or pre-agreement. Therefore [b]the instant[/b] I add my creative bits I become a co owner of a new joint work with the author(s) whose work I just added to. I do not have to sign any agreements at the close of the project, I do not have to pass an audition, I do not even have to post my work to this site at all.

Originally posted by Phoephus on Thu 05 Mar, 2015

You still must have the original copyright owners permission to use their work in the first place, and agreement with them that you will together create a joint work. If you download and use their work without express permission, you're likely infringing on their rights.

On ProCollabs, joint ownership only occurs at the 'completion' of a project wherein all collaborators agree to their share of authorship in the joint work. At any point before hand, you cannot claim joint ownership in someone else's contribution. It is a process of collaboration intended to result in the creation of a single, jointly owned work.

If you believe that you can download someone elses work from the internet, add your own part, and call it a joint work wherein you share ownership, then you have just identified a real opportunity to collaborate with Peter Gabriel. I'm sure he will be thrilled :)
#333 Posted Thu 05 Mar, 2015 8:37 am
If Peter Gabriel posted his work to a music collaboration site I would.
#335 Posted Thu 05 Mar, 2015 8:41 am
Another insightful article on the subject of co-writing from NewMediaRights.org.

http://www.newmediarights.org/business_models/artist/who_owns_copyright_song_i_wrote_someone_else
#1467 Posted Fri 13 May, 2016 2:16 am

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