So if I file a batch of songs using GRUW (Group Registration of Unpublished Works), each song being a stripped down version of the song, just piano and vocal with the lyrics. And then some snake I later share my song with goes about making a complete fully produced master sound recording of it and files an SR...

In this scenario above, you are saying that my GRUW submission of the song (filed BEFORE their SR version) can be played in court and they lose - end of story ?

Yes, but a little reality here.

If you file group unpub regs....you're gonna have to (technically and logistically) refile anything/everything again in the future if/when you publish.

But yeah, group regs cover the authorship issue via their timestamp via the sound-recordings choice once you upload files to your acct.

I always use full-blown sr regs as the recordings I own and have historically created are final-final-final-completed-never-to-be-changed.....and in my instance.....these are what are "out there" and historically, the one&only versions that entities routinely infringe of my stuff.

Which, with my filed sr for the exact exact "thing" that gets into the hands of snakes.....resolution is pretty rapid. Once I'm alerted to it anyway and file a lawsuit.

Now.....this is important. I'm a poster on an internet forum. What does this mean regarding my opinions?

It means...if you're gonna make a habit of going your registration route ....or any other route....spend an hour face to face with a good copyright/patent lawyer who can explain the pros/cons of my approach....your approach.

Face to face ...NO ZOOM.....NO EMAIL.....NO LEGAL ASSISTANT...NO ONLINE CONSULTATION!!!!!

Face to face, in an office, with an established attorney who does this stuff all day long.

This is what I suggested in the other thread.

If the songs are that important, wouldn't someone want to pay for the best legal advice? But if they aren't all that important, then by all means, ask the largest group of hobbyist recordingphiles on the planet and follow their advice (no offence to the 20% working professionals that frequent GS).