Before registering a song copyright, the primary concern for many authors and producers is the cost involved. Understanding each copyright registration fee from the outset will help you proactively manage your budget, avoid unnecessary expenses, and choose the appropriate registration method to fully protect the legal value of your musical work. In this article, VCD will summarize and analyze in detail the costs of registering song copyrights according to current regulations.
Legal regulations on song copyright in Viet Nam
Before learning about the costs of registering or exploiting song copyrights, understanding the legal regulations governing this field is crucial. According to the Intellectual Property Law 2022, musical works are protected by copyright from the moment they are created and expressed in a certain physical form, regardless of whether they have been registered or not. However, copyright registration is still encouraged, as it provides a crucial legal basis for copyright owners to prove their authorship in case of disputes or infringement.
Currently, the management and protection of copyright and related rights in the field of music in Vietnam are handled by the following agencies and organizations:
• Copyright Office – under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
• Vietnam Copyright Protection Center for Music (VCPMC)
• Vietnam Copyright Association (VIETRRO)
Regarding the protection period, the law stipulates that copyright for musical works is protected throughout the author’s lifetime and for 50 years after the author’s death. For related rights, such as the rights of performers and producers of sound and video recordings, the protection period is 50 years from the date the work or recording was first published.
What factors determine the cost of registering a song copyright?
In reality, the cost of registering a song copyright is not fixed, but varies depending on the specific case. Understanding the factors affecting the cost will help you proactively budget and minimize unexpected expenses during the registration process.
Factor 1: Type of musical work
The copyright registration fee will vary depending on the type of work you are registering for protection, specifically:
- Single song: Usually has lower costs due to simpler application procedures and faster processing times.
- Album (collection of multiple songs): Higher costs due to the large number of works and longer application processing and review times.
- Instrumental music: In some cases, there is a separate evaluation process that affects the fee.
- Musical works with complex structures or foreign elements: Additional verification procedures may be required, leading to increased registration costs.
Factor 2: Number of authors or copyright owners
For works with two or more authors or copyright owners, the registration process is usually more complex:
- The copyright distribution ratio between the parties must be clearly defined.
- Notarization and authentication fees for ownership agreements may apply.
- Longer processing times, resulting in increased costs.
Factor 3: Application submission method
Currently, applicants can choose one of two application submission methods:
- Submitting directly to the competent authority: This may incur additional travel and printing costs, as well as waiting time.
- Registering song copyright online: This is usually more cost-effective, but requires the person performing the procedure to have certain knowledge of technology and legal procedures.
Factor 4: The registration service provider
You can choose one of two options:
- Self-registration: Only requires paying the administrative fees as stipulated by the State.
- Using a song copyright registration service: Incurs additional service fees, but saves time, reduces errors in the application, and increases the chances of receiving a certificate.
Factor 5: Other incidental expenses
In addition to the basic copyright registration fee, you should also budget for some potential incidental expenses such as:
- Notarization and translation fees for documents in foreign languages.
- Fees for editing and supplementing the application if the initial application is not valid.
- Travel and printing costs during the process of completing the song copyright registration application.
Cost of registering song copyright
According to current regulations, the cost of registering song copyright in Vietnam is divided into two main groups: state fees and service fees (if using a support service). The specific fee will depend on the registration method and the needs of each individual or organization.
State-regulated fees for registering song copyright
According to the fee schedule issued by the competent authority, the current fee for registering copyright for musical works is:
- VND 100,000: Applies to musical works (songs, instrumental or non-instrumental music) for copyright registration.
- VND 300,000: Applies in the case of registering derivative works, collections, or anthologies of multiple musical works.
This fee is a mandatory administrative fee, payable directly to the Copyright Office upon receipt of the application and is non-refundable regardless of whether the application is approved or rejected.
Service fees for song copyright registration (if applicable)
In cases where individuals or organizations authorize a service provider to register the song copyright, the cost will be higher as it includes services such as legal consultation, document preparation, representation, and monitoring of the results. Service fees typically range as follows:
- From 1,000,000 – 3,000,000 VND/song for single works.
- From 3,000,000 VND or more for albums, collections, or works with multiple co-authors.
The specific price may vary depending on the complexity of the application, the number of works, and the required processing time.
Potential costs
In addition to registration fees and service fees, applicants should be aware of other potential costs such as:
- Notarization and certification fees (if there are multiple owners).
- Translation fees for documents with foreign elements.
- Costs for amending or supplementing documents if they are not valid.
- Printing and travel expenses when submitting documents in person.
- The above is complete information on “Costs of registering song copyright according to current regulations, including state fees, service fees (if any), and other potential costs to note. Hopefully, this information will help authors and production companies proactively budget, choose the appropriate registration method, and complete the copyright protection procedures promptly, thereby ensuring their legal rights to their musical works.
Sincerely,
FAQ
Compared to doing it yourself, registering song copyright through a service will incur additional costs for consultation and document processing. However, this method saves time, minimizes errors, and is especially suitable for works with multiple co-authors or complex applications.
In addition to the copyright registration fee, applicants may incur additional costs for notarization, document translation, amendments, and supplementary documents if the application is incomplete, as well as travel and printing costs when submitting the application in person. Preparing a complete and accurate application from the beginning will help minimize these additional costs.