Protect your work

How copyright works

In the UK, copyright in an original song, lyric, recording, photo, or video starts when you create it. You do not register it with the government. It is already yours.

The composition (melody and lyrics) and the recording (the master) are separate. You can own one, both, or share them with a co-writer, producer, or label.

In the US, copyright also starts when the work is recorded or written down. You can optionally register it with the U.S. Copyright Office. That paper trail can help if you later need to take action in the US. It is not required to own the copyright.

Joining PRS, MCPS, PPL, or a distributor is how you collect royalties. That is not the same as copyright. Copyright is ownership. Societies and distributors help you get paid.

Official guidance: GOV.UK copyright · U.S. Copyright Office. How royalties are collected is on Royalties.

How to copyright and protect it

You already own the copyright in original work you create. These steps make that easier to prove and harder to ignore.

1. 01

   Keep the first files

   Save the session, stems, lyrics, voice notes, and first bounce with dates. Do not overwrite the only copy. Dated project files are the strongest everyday proof that the work is yours.

2. 02

   Put a copyright line on releases

   On artwork, descriptions, and liner notes use © year your name for the composition, and ℗ year owner for the recording. Example: © 2026 Your Name. That does not create copyright — it tells people you claim it.

3. 03

   Keep a dated public record

   An upload on Deep Dripz, an email to yourself with the file, or a cloud folder with timestamps all help show when the work existed. Keep your own copies as well as anything we host.

4. 04

   US registration if you need it

   If you want a US registration, do it on copyright.gov — the official U.S. Copyright Office. That is optional. In the UK there is no official copyright register to buy.

5. 05

   Skip paid “copyright registries”

   Sites that charge to “register your copyright” in the UK do not grant UK copyright. You already have it. Do not pay a third party who claims they can copyright the song for you.

6. 06

   Collect royalties separately

   Register the song and the recording with the right societies if you want performance, mechanical, and neighbouring-rights money. That sits on the royalties page. It does not replace copyright.

If someone steals your work

Act on proof, not panic. Keep your originals, capture the copy, then report it.

1. 01

   Save proof of your original

   Do not delete your session files. Keep dates, file names, lyrics, and any emails or messages about the work. If it was uploaded here, keep that listing too.

2. 02

   Save proof of the copy

   Screenshot the page, copy the URL, note the username, the date you found it, and whether they are selling it, streaming it, or using it in a video. Capture the audio or video if you can.

3. 03

   Ask them to take it down

   Write to the person or page in plain language: this is your work, you did not give permission, take it down. Keep a copy of what you sent and any reply.

4. 04

   Report it to the platform

   YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and most distributors have a copyright report form. Use it. For streams on Spotify or Apple, report through the distributor that put the track up, or the platform’s rights form.

5. 05

   Tell Deep Dripz if it touches this site

   If a stolen copy is on Deep Dripz, or someone copied a release you put here, email us with the URLs and your proof. We can check our records, take down copies on this site, and confirm the dated upload if it was yours.

6. 06

   Get advice if they will not stop

   If they keep using it, or they are making money from it, use official GOV.UK copyright guidance and speak to a solicitor who does music copyright — or your union if you have one. We will help with evidence we hold. We cannot sue for you.