Copyright Insurance for Lyricists – Does It Exist? (Full Guide)

Why Lyricists Need Protection

Your lyrics are intellectual property worth protecting. Consider:

• Plagiarism lawsuits cost $50,000+ to defend (U.S. Copyright Office)
• Unintentional infringement is common (see Burna Boy's "TATATA" Lyrics Controversy)

While registration helps (How to Copyright Lyrics), insurance adds a financial safety net.

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3 Real Insurance Options for Lyricists

1. Music Industry Specialists

• Hiscox Entertainment Insurance
• Covers lyric disputes and plagiarism claims
• Starting at $800/year for $1M coverage
• Lockton Music Insurance
• Specializes in songwriter policies
• Includes sample clearance protection

Best For: Professionals earning from Sync Licensing Deals.

2. General IP Policies

• Berkshire Hathaway Media Liability
• Covers lyrics under "creative works"
• Travelers Intellectual Property Insurance
• Defends against infringement claims

Limitation: May exclude pre-existing works.

3. Legal Defense Funds

• BMI Insurance Resources
• Discounted E&O insurance for members
• The Authors Guild Legal Program
• $125/year includes copyright litigation support

(Related: SAG-AFTRA's Financial Assistance)

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When Insurance Saved Careers

Case	Provider	Outcome
Stolen chorus in a hit	Hiscox	Covered $75k lawsuit
Uncleared sample	Lockton	Paid $22k settlement
False plagiarism claim	BMI	Funded 100% defense

Lesson: Even Top Lyricists Making $500k/year use insurance.

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4 Budget Alternatives

1. Copyright Registration ($45)
• Required before suing (U.S. Copyright Portal)
2. "Poor Man’s Copyright"
• Mail lyrics to yourself (but why it’s unreliable)
3. LegalShield ($20/month)
• 24/7 legal consultations
4. Publisher Policies
• Major labels often cover writers (see Jay-Z's Financial Blueprint)

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Key Takeaways

✔ Specialized policies exist (Hiscox, Lockton)
✔ Always register copyrights first (USCO Guide)
✔ Combine with contracts (Free Music Contracts)

Pro Tip: Get quotes from MusicPro Insurance for custom coverage.

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 Need more protection? Read our Tupac’s Poverty Mindset Exposed analysis next!