I got an e-mail today from some a&r preson from independiente music label sat=ying that someone (f**k knows who) told them I was good and that could I send them a demo.

I've never sent a demo off before and as such is my music protected in any way from them just nabbing it? And also what are the do's and dont's of demo's?

thanks for any advice,

djleej

Is your music registered with anyone? (like BMI?)

If not you need to have it done or have a copywrite on it. there are several ways to do that.

If you need some help just let me know or send me an email!

Good Luck!!

And Always remember one of my Golden Rules:

"Always Protect Your Ass" imp:

if your in the states you might want to go here,

http://www.copyright.gov/

Hi djleeg, I am very, very late to your post, but how did it go with Independiente? Also, as you are from the UK, you can just send your music to yourself by registered post. Make sure you don't open it and make sure the post office puts a very clear date/post stamp on your package. This may come in handy for copyrighting existing and future tracks of yours. Oh, and you must state clearly on the package, what track is in it. Sounds obvious but it is easy to overlook.

And gypsyskie is right. Copyrighting your stuff in the USA is a good idea. There is a fee, I think you can do the whole album for $30 or so for the sound recordings. If you want to copyright your album artwork it's another fee. Seeing as people can hear your stuff all over the world, it is a good idea to secure copyrights in the US and the UK. I may be wrong, but I think so.

The US don't accept send yourself registered mail as a valid copyright so do both.

Tell us how it's all going! You're great.

There is, however, a service in the US that might interest those of you in the States. There is a company called theideavault.com. It is like registered mail, but better. You send them your song/demo/artwork or whatever form it may take and they log it, seal it and send it back to you. It's actually pretty cool. See you can copyright anything that you want in the US, the trick is proving the conception date!! Check it out, I have used it. Has anyone else? Let me know what you think.

Hi! How much does this cost? I've always wondered why the registered mail-thing in the UK was anything to go by, because it's just an envelope! I mean, people can reseal it, can't they, and stick a new recording in an old packet. There's no real proof. This company sounds great.

Go to theideavault.com, I think it's about 5 bucks or so. I used it a few times, it kinda cool.