Musician's copyright
Registration, deposit, royalty types, CMOs — protecting and monetizing works
By topic
Copyright arises automatically
Copyright arises at creation — registration isn't required. But proof of authorship matters in disputes: deposit, notarized certification, dated publication.
Deposit & registration
In Ukraine you can deposit a work with UKRAANTO or get a copyright registration certificate — it's proof of date/authorship, not creation of the right.
Royalty types
Authors' royalties (for the song — writer/composer) and neighboring (for the recording — performer/label). Streaming pays both via distributor and CMO.
CMOs
UKRAANTO, UAASP, ULASP — collect royalties for public performance, radio, venues. Register and declare works — otherwise royalties never reach you.
Co-authorship
By agreement: shares fixed in a split sheet before release. Share disputes after release resolve on contribution evidence — demos, projects, correspondence.
Work for hire
Commissioned music — the contract defines the owner: by default the author, contract assigns economic rights to the client.
Infringement & claims
Order: evidence (notarized/dated screenshots) → claim → suit. Damage proof — lost royalties or comparable license cost.
The most common mistake: not signing a split sheet before release — shares then get proven in court. CMO registration (UKRAANTO/UAASP) is free and the only way to collect public-performance royalties.