Songs are automatically protected by copyright as soon as they are fixed in a tangible medium (notated or recorded). If formal registration is available in your country, you may choose to do that as well, although it is not required.
You would only be able to copyright new material: existing tracks being used in the compilation would need to be licensed from the rightsholders (a mechanical license for the song and a master use license for the recording).
That being said, the new material (liner notes, album covers, etc.) would be automatically protected as soon as they are fixed in a tangible medium.
If it's YOUR demo, then all you need to do to copyright it is. The cheapest way to copyright something is to make a hard copy (or save it on a disk) seal it in an envelope/package, mail it to yourself via certified mail, save the return receipt, and put the envelope/package in a safe place, and do not open it. :)
As of 2013, the best website where you can download all of the no copyright sounds songs is called YouTube.
Of course
Works of sufficient originality are automatically protected by copyright as soon as they are fixed in a tangible medium. If formal registration is available in your country, that particular copyright office will have its own rules on whether works can be grouped together or have to be registered individually.
I wouldnt pay them for someting tat is already Mine////
Oliver! is still under copyright. If you find freebies, they are illegal.
As of 2013, the best website where you can download all of the no copyright sounds songs is called YouTube.
Your songs are automatically protected as soon as they are fixed, but if you wish to formally register, you can list all of them on the same application, which in the US is $35.
Old sheet music is usually the best resource; many libraries have their sheet music collections scanned for this type of research. Note that many folk songs may not be traceable this way.
Generally, yes.
No songs have ever been sued.
Songs of Universal.
Songs of Universal.
The best way is to align yourself with a music attorney, manager or publisher who already has an ongoing relationship with the label. Labels are reluctant to receive songs from those who they don't have a report with for fear of copyright law suits. This way it keeps them safe.
No single entity controls all the songs. Sound recordings are controlled by their particular labels, and ownership own the songs themselves depends on who specifically is credited as a songwriter. The absolute easiest way to determine ownership is by reading the liner notes of the recording; if that is not available, the databases linked below are the next best option.
copyright
Songs of Universal.
Adam Belsheright