With a nod to Mr. Coleman, this crazy story.  Independent label Quote Unquote Records’ (which operates with donations) web site was recently shut down by its own hosting provider.  The host had originally written telling the label that it was hosting copyrighted materials and, unless the label could prove ownership, the site would be shut down.  The host demanded actual certificates of registration showing ownership.  When Quote Unquote couldn’t produce copyright registration certificates for songs posted on its website in mp3 format, the site was shut down.

It is important to note that no take-down notice was sent to the host.  It did this sua sponte – on its own.

The web host should learn that copyright registration is not required for ownership and copyrights are created automatically when work is completed.