Copyright of any sort of media is automatically beginning once a piece of work is documented, created, or recorded. In the UK, this is detailed in the Copyright, Designs, and patents act 1988.
There’s no official method to Copyright work in the UK. Copyright depends on the evidence of creation and ownership, and it can be created in a few ways.
The first method is by emailing/mailing or saving any sort of physical copy of the work (In this case Music, Artwork, etc) in any way that will help to determine when it was created. For example, you could send it to yourself by recorded delivery, or store it with your bank. The work must be time stamped and remain sealed for this to provide any legal proof. In this case, you would need proof of Artwork (who created it, when it was created, etc) and the Music with the same guidelines.
Rights as a Copyright Owner;
As the Owner of your work and Copyright you will be able to;
-Copy the Music
-Lend or issue and rent your work to the public.
-Advertise and show the music to the public (like broadcasting it on TV, or a radio, or on the internet, etc.)
PRS information, being a member;
When someone becomes a PRS member, they transfer your rights to perform or play your work in public. This includes live performance, radio and TV broadcasts, films and adverts and hold music for phones. They can then monitor any kind of music use and collect any due royalties.
MCPS information, being a member;
MCPS usually acts on your behalf, administering the rights to:
-Copy your work (pressing CDs and creating digital downloads)
-Rent or lend the work to the public
-Issue copies of the Music for sale or promotion
How Long do Copyright in the UK typically Last?
In the UK, copyright lasts for about 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the author dies. If the music originates from outside the European Economic Area, the copyright lasts for as long as the music is protected by copyright in its country of origin, provided that this does not exceed 70 years.
All information was gathered and presented by PRS.