Copyright Registration Sound Recordings Works

First, let's pinpoint what falls into the sound recordings category. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"Sound recordings are 'works that result from the fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds, but not including the sounds accompanying a motion picture or other audiovisual work.' Common examples include recordings of music, drama, or lectures."

Here are some books about copyrights:

The Copyright Handbook

How to Register Your Own Copyright

Now to file an application:

The application is fairly simple and the cost is $45 per application.

Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man’s copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."

Lastly, here are two great resources:

NOLO's Copyright Resource Center

NOLO's Creative Arts and Music Resource Center