Info on copyrighting songs

A musical work is copyrighted the moment you create it.  What you do is
"register" the copyright.

Many courts do not accept suits for copyright infringement unless the
copyright has been registered.

In the United States the Library of Congress Copyright Office is where most
the world's musical works are registered.  This is the best place to
register your copyright, for several reasons.

You'll need their *Form PA*, see: http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formpa.pdf

For lotsa stuff to read about copyright see: http://www.loc.gov/copyright/

Check out Performing Rights Societies.  In Canada we have one, SOCAN, see:
http://www.socan.ca/

In the US there are ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and others, do a Google for their
URLs.

For registering re mechanicals for musical works, see the CMRRA at:
http://www.cmrra.ca/default.html

Or the Harry Fox Agency, see: http://www.nmpa.org/hfa.html

Ask your performing rights society to recommend copyright lawyers in your
neighbourhood, drop a hundred bucks on a half hour visit with one, take
along all your questions, well worth it.

-bg-

www.thelittlecanadaheadphoneband.ca