INTRODUCTION
Copyright is the basis of the music industry. Familiarizing yourself with the different kinds of copyright and the organizations affiliated with them is crucial if you want to maintain good business practice in this industry. Everything stems from intellectual property. Dealing with publishing contracts, record deals and royalties can quickly become overwhelming, even for the experienced.

This section provides a nice brief overview of the different types of copyright, but is not nearly as comprehensive or complicated as some of the issues touched upon in here can get. For more detailed information, we recommend contacting the organization(s) that administer the copyright(s) you want more information on. If after doing your homework here you are still not sure who to contact, contact us . We'd be happy to help you out.

WHAT IS COPYRIGHT
In Canada, a copyright on any musical work is automatic upon creation. This is an integral right to everybody called Intellectual Property. Your copyright protection on your intellectual property runs from the moment of creation to 50 years after your death, or the death of the last surviving collaborator of that work. In the US, copyright protection lasts for 70 years from creation.

CIPO CANADIAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE
10th Floor, 50 Victoria Street
Hull Quebec
K1A 0C9 CANADA
Tel: (819) 997 1936

US COPYRIGHT OFFICE THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Washington, DC USA
Info: (202) 707 3000
Forms: (202) 707 9100

HOW TO COPYRIGHT
Registering your musical works with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is not really necessary, especially for indie artists and songwriters on tight budgets. But if it will help you sleep at night, click here to find out how.

So, what do you do? Send a copy of your music (CD, tape, manuscript, etc...) to yourself by Registered Mail. Place the item in a sealed envelope addressed to you. Label the contents on the outside of the envelope. Apply the required postage and drop it in the mail. "Voila!" When the envelope comes back to you, DON’T OPEN IT! This may now become a piece of evidence proving date of possession. But only if you open it in front of a lawyer or in the presence of the court, when required. So DON’T OPEN IT! And keep it somewhere safe! Contact your local Post Office if you would like more information.

THE COPYRIGHT NOTICE
This symbol, ©, the word “Copyright”, or the abbreviation “Copr.” should appear somewhere easily spotted on your CD liners and disc. Or on the liners and format on which your music is present (tapes, manuscripts, lead sheets, vinyl, ADAT, whatever?).

The copyright symbol should be accompanied with yours, your groups’, or collaborators’ names and the year of creation.

EXAMPLE:
A) © My Name 2002
B) © Our Wickedly Cool Band Name 2002
These sentences or variants of can always makes you sound threatening too:

Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved.
Or maybe you prefer a passive approach?
Support Independent artists. Don't copy this CD.

SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (SAC)
SAC is led by professional and amateur songwriters who work to develop creative and business environments for songwriters in Canada and around the world. In addition to pursuing fair compensation for songwriters, SAC has a song depository where songwriters can submit their works, for a small fee.

By submitting your works to the song depository you receive a certain amount of protection. Note that this is not copyrighting songs. It is simply a safe haven for your work that can be used as evidence for proof of ownership. Contact SAC for more information on membership and their song depository.

Songwriters Association of Canada
3600 Billings Court, Suite 204
Burlington, ONT.
L7N 3N6
Toll Free: 1 800 215 4814
Email: sac@songwriters.ca
Web: www.songwriters.ca