Is it a good idea to file BOTH Forms PA and SR?

Question

I want to copyright my band's new album of all original music. I know Form PA protects the actual composition itself and SR will protect the recording. Is it a good idea to file BOTH forms? Will one of them protect my music on enough of a level? If that is so, which one?

Answer 1

You only need to file one. You might be a bit confused by the purpose of each form.

For published and unpublished works of the performing arts (musical works and dramatic works, pantomimes and choreographic works, motion pictures and other audiovisual works), use Form PA (Performing Arts).  Musical compositions that are recorded on disc or cassettes are works of the performing arts, and should be registered with Form PA.

For published or unpublished sound recordings, use form SR (Sound Recordings).  Note that registration for a sound recording alone is NOT the same as registration for musical, dramatic, or a literary work that has been recorded.  Form SR is used for registration of the particular sounds or a particular recorded performance.

Form SR should also be used if you wish to make one registration for both the sound recording and the original work (musical composition).  You may make a single registration using form SR only if the copyright claimant is the same for both the sound recording and the musical composition.

http://www.musicpowers.com/copyrights.ht...