Record Company Claiming Copyright Of My Music

[dharvell]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I am a musician who is a member of BMI with 4 self-released, full-length Industrial/EBM CDs to my credit. Over the decade of writing music, I've never had this happen, so I have no idea where to start.

The problem started when I decided to create a profile at last.fm to help promote my music. My most popular album to date is my 2003 release, "Purity". So, I figured that would be a good first album to upload to the last.fm profile. Upon uploading the album, I received an error saying that I could not create the album as this album has already been registered by a different LABEL.

A little research revealed that an Industrial music label called Metropolis Records did, indeed, register my album under their label. I have NEVER been signed to the Metropolis Records roster, so understand my confusion when I noticed this!

What gets me is that my album is labeled as ©Metropolis Records.

As I've never been in this situation, I don't even know where to start, what I can do, how to do it, etc. I am hoping for a little guidance to help point me to a good first step to getting this resolved and my album back to my ownership.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you need more information, please let me know and I will provide anything you need to know.

Best regards.

+dharvell

 

[JETX]

As I've never been in this situation, I don't even know where to start, what I can do, how to do it, etc. I am hoping for a little guidance to help point me to a good first step to getting this resolved and my album back to my ownership.

You need to talk with a local copyright attorney.

 

[dharvell]

That Presents Another Problem...

That presents another problem...

being from Michigan, there are no attorneys that specialize in copyright/trademark matters. Not locally, anyway. I think the closest attorney might be in Detroit... which is on the complete other side of the state...

We Michiganders have very limited legal resources...

 

[JETX]

being from Michigan, there are no attorneys that specialize in copyright/trademark matters. Not locally, anyway. I think the closest attorney might be in Detroit... which is on the complete other side of the state...

We Michiganders have very limited legal resources...

Here is a list of a BUNCH of Michigan attorneys who handle copyright and IP issues:
Michigan Copyright, IP & Trademark Attorneys, Lawyers and Law Firms

 

[dharvell]

Cool... thanks for the link.

That's the last time I trust the Yellow Pages...

 

[dharvell]

I take that back... all of the copyright attorneys listed are from Detroit, just as I said. With the exception of 2 attorneys from Traverse City... which is on the opposite side of the state, going North.

As I said... there are NO local copyright attorneys in my area.

 

[Zigner]

I take that back... all of the copyright attorneys listed are from Detroit, just as I said. With the exception of 2 attorneys from Traverse City... which is on the opposite side of the state, going North.

As I said... there are NO local copyright attorneys in my area.

Why don't you call one of them?

Also, it's not worth a 4 hour drive?


ETA: Call a local business law attorney. Ask if they could provide a referral.

 

[dharvell]

Well... if I don't have to drive 4 hours, I would rather not. If I have no other option (and if it would be worth my while), then I guess I would. That is what I don't know, though... Would it be worth several 4 hours drives, or would I just be wasting my time trying to fight the music industry for songs that they have no rights to?

For that matter, is it NECESSARY that I look for a Michigan attorney? Chicago, Il is actually a closer drive. If I have to travel to seek legal advice, I would rather take the path of least mileage.

 

[Zigner]

Well... if I don't have to drive 4 hours, I would rather not. If I have no other option (and if it would be worth my while), then I guess I would. That is what I don't know, though... Would it be worth several 4 hours drives, or would I just be wasting my time trying to fight the music industry for songs that they have no rights to?

For that matter, is it NECESSARY that I look for a Michigan attorney? Chicago, Il is actually a closer drive. If I have to travel to seek legal advice, I would rather take the path of least mileage.

Call a Chicago attorney then

 

[dharvell]

Okay... so I assume that I can get an attorney from out of state, then. Cool! I think my phone will be busy on Monday, trying to get a hold of an entertainment attorney, then.