just got copyright papers and have questions

ok...two questions, i just recieved my copywrite papers...i have form PA, they only sent one...is this all i need? is that form for a whole collection or each track? if it's for each track will the copyright office accept it if i make copies of the forms?
Also, we MPC users are known for our sampling...do i copyright my work even if it contains samples? or do i need to clear them first? is there a certain order to do this in? or can i copyright it then let the artist or label clear the sample?
well thanks...im off to set up a publishing company, i hope

the one, the only, tele

Couldn't tell how far along you are with the info given. Off top for beats you need form SR, plus the SR continuation sheet to list the titles of your beats. It's a good idea to pack an 80 min. CDR with as many beats as you can fit on there. Also you only need like - intro, 1st verse, hook - then fade it out or whatever around 1-2 mins. top. I usually send around 25-40 beats at a time in this way.

Form PA is for written material - lyrics, songs, etc. Copyrighting beats with samples is tricky. If you feel like the Library of Congress won't be able to ID them, then do it. Otherwise don't. I've heard of cats having their sh** returned (but not their $) because of recognizable material. Any other questions, drop a line.....

ok, thats cool...but what about the ones with noticible samples...should i just sell them outright under the table? keep those for local guys and mixtapes?

Go with local cats.Noone really pays attention to noticable samples untill you hit that 50,000 mark.

...pretty much. I only send in my synth module cleanery at the moment. You can copyright sample beats, but you have to reference the source author or sum'n like that for is to be valid. Not that much more work, but by the time I got enough tracks to compile into an SR form, I done long since forgot where I got what in some cases. The other thing is if you ain't really twistin or freakin a break into your own creation, a copyright is somewhat redundant.

But anyway, I do what you were sayin, I use my sample tracks for mixtape/promo joints and sh** like that. It's hard to guage when to clear samples if it ain't a major release. But I know some cats that got a call from a rep. or lawyer over a Steely Dan sample- and they only pressed 2,000 copies!!!!

It's 10,000 now. You can copyright the sample sequence, but NOT the sample. You can also make copies of the originals they sent you. Copies are just as good. (both sides) You don't have to list the samples if your putting a compilation together (a collection of works). But make sure you have the wrriters, publishing company and label for each sample you use for someone trying to buy. PA forms should work in a court of law. So if you only have the PA that should be fine. I've done it and still do it. (PA forms)

would send a cd full of ur stuff in da mail to urself work as copywrite? it may sound stupid, but im really broke, and with school and football and everything i need something to make sure im protected against beat bitin'...quick

The poor mans' copyright doesn't work anymore.They say it's because in our day and age you can easily have something backdated/fabricated so it's too questionable when it comes to court.