How do I protect my music from unauthorized use on the internet?
July 26, 2024 | 45,00 EUR | answered by Sandra Altmann
Dear Copyright Attorney,
I am Verena Eiserfelder and I work as a musician. Over the past few years, I have composed and recorded many of my own songs. Now, I would like to release my music on the internet to reach a larger audience. However, I am concerned that my music could be used or even stolen without my permission.
I have heard of cases where artists have published their works online only to have them used by others without authorization. This would not only result in financial losses for me, but also damage my artistic work and reputation.
Therefore, my question to you as an expert in copyright law is: How can I effectively protect my music from unauthorized use on the internet? Are there legal measures I can take to secure my copyright? What steps should I take before releasing my music to prevent potential copyright infringements?
I look forward to your professional advice and thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Verena Eiserfelder
Dear Mrs. Eiserfelder,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the protection of your music from unauthorized use on the internet. As a copyright lawyer, I can recommend some important tips and legal measures to effectively secure your copyright.
First and foremost, it is important to know that your music is automatically protected by copyright as soon as you create it. This means that as the creator, you have sole rights to your works, including the right to publish, reproduce, and distribute them. To best protect your rights, I recommend taking the following measures:
1. Registration with the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA): Registering your musical works with the DPMA can provide additional protection. This way, you can easily prove that you are the author in case of copyright infringement.
2. Licensing agreements: When publishing your music on the internet, you can enter into licensing agreements with other parties to ensure that your music can only be used under certain conditions.
3. Watermarks and metadata: By adding watermarks or metadata to your music files, you can track where and how your music is being used.
4. Monitoring tools: There are tools and services that can search the internet for unauthorized use of your music and inform you about it.
Before publishing your music on the internet, make sure that you own all rights to the music and have obtained any necessary licenses from other rights holders. Detailed documentation of your musical works and all rights can be helpful in case of copyright infringement.
I recommend consulting with a copyright lawyer in a personal conversation about your individual situation and the best protection measures for your music. I am happy to answer any further questions you may have and wish you success in publishing your music on the internet.
Best regards,
Sandra Altmann
Copyright Lawyer
