The Blog...

Hey all!

I posted these remarks in a Yahoo! Group and thought it’d be better to serve it to a larger audience via the blog, as there are other creative folks who may benefit from this information.

This is in regards to copyrighting intellectual property (ie. a song) you created. In Canada, we have options, and the traditional “poor man’s copyright” of mailing yourself a registered letter doesn’t have to be your only means of protecting your goods. Regardless, copyright exists the moment you create an original work. These services are merely ways to prove that, should the need ever arise.

In Canada, we have a new option: http://www.copyrightdepository.com — you can begin the process for free (“chronicle”) according the website. $6.95 per file/record registered when you actually need to finish with a new copyright. Though they store files for 7 years, which doesn’t make sense (need to check into that, as copyrights last at least 50 years, depending on a few “who and what” scenarios). But they (Copyright Depository) work with the USPS in what appears to be an advanced, digital time-stamping service that according to the FAQ is as good as registering with the CIPO. I found the link a while ago through Indie Pool, which is by all accounts a very reputable organization, so they wouldn’t likely sign on with this service if it wasn’t worthwhile.

Being Canadian, you don’t need to register with the US Copyright Office as USA & Canada are both members of the Berne Convention, among others. More info: http://www.copyrightdepository.com/?page=canguide

As for other registration methods and means, SOCAN is for performance rights, CMRRA is for mechanical/sync/reproduction rights (other PROs). CIPO is the Canadian government office for actually copyrighting your goods. The first two are not. Also, CIPO offers online forms for submissions, and is cheaper to file things in that fashion.

tb

love your life
tranceblackman.com