My brother is recording at an up and coming music label, but the company is not establish (I checked with the Better Business Bureau) and they are trying to copyright his song where they own the rights to the master. He and the other producer and recorder will be listed as authors of piece. Is that legal? Can he just copyright it himself? There is no contract establish as of now.

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NO THEY CANT. BUT MY ADVICE IS LET THEM GO AHEAD AND DO IT, THAT WAY YOU CAN SUE THE PANTS OFF OF THEM.

There are many pieces to a song from the actual concept/writing to the recording of the piece. If they own the master, they can copyright that exact expression/recording. As well, if you produce works as a part of employment, your employer has a right to your work. Find out the details of what part they are copyrighting and talk to an intellectual property lawyer (ideally) or an agent (who knows part of the business but not every in-and-out of the law). It's a pissy situation, but remember they have as much right to protect their interests as yours. It may be dubious, it may not.

no they cant but if signed something without reading it then youre f 2 cked they got legal rights