In the US and India, official government registration is required for full legal protection and the right to sue for damages. In the UK, there is no central government registry, so “proof of creation” is key. Audiobulb works with you regardless of your location, providing the global administration and usage tracking you need for just $19.99/year, while you maintain 100% ownership.
1. The United States: U.S. Copyright Office (USCO)
The US has one of the strictest systems. If you want to sue for “Statutory Damages” (up to $150,000 per song), you must register.
- The Forms: Use Form PA (Performing Arts) for the composition (lyrics/melody) and Form SR (Sound Recording) for the actual audio file.
- The Cost: In 2025, the standard electronic filing fee is typically $45–$65 per application.
- The Pro Tip: You can save money by using the “Group Registration of Unpublished Works” (GRUW) to register up to 10 songs for a single fee, provided they haven’t been released yet.
- Official Site: copyright.gov
2. India: The Copyright Office
India follows a formal registration process that is highly respected internationally. It is essential for protecting your work against the massive “remix” and “cover” culture in the Indian market.
- The Process: You file Form XIV online. After submission, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period for objections.
- The Cost: For “Musical Works” (Compositions), the government fee is ₹500. For “Sound Recordings,” it is ₹2,000.
- The Pro Tip: You must provide a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) if you are working with co-writers or if the applicant is not the author.
- Official Site: copyright.gov.in
3. The United Kingdom: Proof of Creation
The UK is unique because it has no official government registry for copyright.
- The Process: Copyright is truly automatic under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Since there is no “certificate” to apply for, you must create a “paper trail.”
- The Strategy: Use a digital time-stamping service or send the files to yourself via a trackable, recorded delivery (and keep the envelope sealed).
- Official Resource: gov.uk/copyright
Comparison of Systems
| Feature | United States | India | United Kingdom |
| Official Registry | Yes (USCO) | Yes | No (Automatic) |
| Registration Fee | ~$45–$65 | ₹500–₹2,000 | Free ($0) |
| Wait Time | 3–9 Months | 2–4 Months | Instant (Automatic) |
| Sue for Damages | Requires Registration | Highly Recommended | Requires Proof of Creation |
4. Why Audiobulb is Your Global “Safety Net”
Navigating three different legal systems is exhausting for an independent artist. That’s why Audiobulb is designed to be your universal administration hub.
- One Dashboard, Global Reach: Whether you are in New York, London, or Mumbai, we manage your global administration. We handle the technical registration with collection societies like The MLC (US), PRS (UK), and IPRS (India) to get you paid.
- Active Tracking Everywhere: Our tracking technology doesn’t care about borders. We scan for unauthorized use of your music across the world, ensuring that even if a song is stolen in another country, we can flag it for you.
- No Rights Grabs: Shady publishers often offer to “handle the copyright” for you, only to list themselves as the owner. Audiobulb never takes your ownership. We simply act as the bridge between your music and the money it earns.
5. Common Mistake: PRO vs. Copyright Office
Many artists think that registering with a Performance Rights Organization (like ASCAP, BMI, PRS, or IPRS) is the same as “copyrighting.”
- The Reality: The PRO is for royalties (getting paid).9 The Copyright Office is for legal title (legal protection).10 You need both.+1
- The Audiobulb Solution: You handle the legal title (USCO/DPIIT), and we handle the royalty registrations for a flat $19.99/year.
Summary
If you are in the US or India, go to the official portal today and file your “Title” to protect your legacy. If you are in the UK, secure your timestamps. Once that’s done, bring your catalog to Audiobulb so we can start hunting down your royalties and tracking your music’s usage globally.
Your Next Step: Do you have a backlog of songs waiting to be registered? Start your Audiobulb membership for $19.99/year and let us help you clean up your metadata so you can focus on creating.