questions about the copyright process

I am a new composer so I don't think any of my compositions would be worth stealing (not with all the great music on this website), but I was wondering what the process would be to have it copyrighted.

Also, when you compose music with Finale it attaches a copyright symbol, does that mean anything?

Does is cost anything to have your work official copyrighted.

Pianoforte

I am a new composer so I don't think any of my compositions would be worth stealing (not with all the great music on this website), but I was wondering what the process would be to have it copyrighted.

There isn't a process. Music, or any creation for that matter, is copyrighted upon creation. It is yours to do with what you will. That's copyright. Note that this wasn't always the case, but ever since 1973 (date anyone?), copyright is upon creation and lasts until 70 years after the creator's death.

Now, to get your music registered in the US Copyright office is another thing. When you register your work, the government has an official public record of your work and it is thus much easier to prove ownership. So should someone steal your music, the government has official proof that it's yours making the court process go much faster than usual. So it can have benefit.

Also, when you compose music with Finale it attaches a copyright symbol, does that mean anything?

It's standard to put your name, year of creation, and the copyright symbol. So Finale (and Sibby) is just saving you time. The standard format is:

Copyright

USA: U.S. Copyright Office

Canada: Canadian Intellectual Property Office - Home

UK: Intellectual Property Office - Copyright

...and so on.

Everything you need to know is there. Registration is likely pointless at this point in your career.

copyright is upon creation and lasts until 70 years after the creator's death.

The copyright term is life+70 of the last author's death. So if someone edits your music, or someone else revises it, or adds fingering for a piano piece, then it's 70 years after that guy's death. Of course, the fascimile of the composition would be in public domain 70 years after your death, but it might not be published.

Also, that's not the case in all countries - for example, in Canada, Japan and Portugal, the term is life+50 years, while in Canada there is also the Bern convention thing, which means that if a score is considered public domain in the country of publication/origin, then it is also considered public domain in Canada.

A good easy-to-read page about copyright is the Public domain page on IMSLP.

Music, or any creation for that matter, is copyrighted upon creation.

It's upon publication in a tangible medium (electronic counts, inasmuch as bits on a hard drive is tangible; also, "publication" doesn't refer to formal publication necessarily; internet distribution counts).

Registration serves as a proof of ownership in U.S. copyright but is not necessary. Without registration, you cannot claim anything other than loss of profits from an infringing party

As for the