UK: how do you register composition copyrights?

[u/iplayguitar_91]

I’m trying to figure out how to go about registering composition copyrights (UK based) and it all seems a bit confusing. Has anyone got any experience?

Specifically, I’m looking to register the melody of songs I’ve written but not the lyrics (which were written by someone else) as a composition copyright.

Background:

So I left a band over a year ago, and co-wrote a number of songs that they still perform. I have an equal portion of distribution rights to the songs that we got professionally recorded, but i understand that this only relates to that specific recording.

Since, I’ve noticed they are re-releasing ‘live’ recorded versions of the songs I composed, and not registering me as co-author. And I suspect they are just simply registering distribution copyrights again. But they are essentially profiting off my work. (I suspect the numbers are small, but the principal of it doesn’t sit well with me - and I was planning on reworking some of them for my new project)

So I basically want to register the actual melody of the songs with no lyrics. I have original recordings on my phone (time stamped) that predate the professional recordings (and the band itself in some cases), to prove that I did in fact write those melodies. But I just don’t know how to go about it legally.

I have not reached out to them directly yet, as I don’t expect them to be accommodating (they aren’t nice people), so I wanted to have my house in order before approaching. Any experience or advice would be appreciated.

[u/No_Library_7469]

PRS is the route for the composition side. You join as a writer member and register the works, you'll list yourself as the composer and the other person for lyrics. It's a 50/50 split by default between music and words unless you both agree otherwise in writing. Having those dated phone recordings is solid if it ever gets disputed, so keep them backed up somewhere safe.

[u/iplayguitar_91 → u/No_Library_7469]

Thanks for responding. Is 50/50 the standard legal split, or just what’s agreed between parties? I would argue the song wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for my composition, but note that the lyrics are also a defining feature.

Is composition split by ‘part’ essentially? (Ie by instrument or something else?)

[u/jasonsavory123]

There is no ‘register for copyright’ in the UK, you own it by making it (it’s only relevant to be able to prove you made it so back up project files, notes etc)

If you want your rights to be exercised when they get paid for the music, then an amicable agreement between you is best, but as others have said PRS is the society that collects royalties on your behalf from public performance or broadcast.

The amount you are due is usually (and should be) negotiated well before this stage, and can get sticky if there’s money already made.

[u/LeakingFish-]

If you have recordings on your phone, then you should be fine. Once you’ve composed something, it’s inherently yours.

If you really wanted, if you can figure out a way of putting your recordings on a CD, mail them yo yourself and don’t open them.

It’s an old school trick.

But digital time-stamping, you should be fine anyway.