Frequently Asked Questions

Many of the questions that we are asked by current and potential members are answered below. If you need a fast solution to a problem, you might find it here. If not, and you think we can help further, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Copyright in Canada exists upon the creation of a work in tangible format so once you have a recording of your music, it is protected. This protection is worldwide.

There are several ways to register that copyright. You can go through the Canadian Intellectual Property office (CIPO) and register a title or a collection of songs. Option two is the Library of Congress in the USA.

It is advised that you protect your rights before any disputes arise, especially if you are submitting your music to outside parties.

Please visit the membership section of our website for a description of the benefits.

Canadian citizens living outside of Canada can still apply for membership. We welcome international memberships and have many members who live abroad. A membership to the S.A.C. still has many benefits that can be enjoyed overseas.

No, we welcome international members.

Please contact us Mondays to Fridays between 10am-6pm EST.

You actually cannot sell your song, because once you’ve written it, you have protected ownership. That said, you can assign a portion of your publishing rights to a publisher who will then work on your behalf to find placements.

The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. (CMRRA) is a non-profit music licensing agency, which represents the vast majority of music copyright owners (usually called music publishers) doing business in Canada.

On their behalf, CMRRA issues licenses to users of the reproduction right in copyrighted music. These licenses authorize the reproduction of music in CD’s and cassettes (usually called ” mechanical licensing“) and in films, television programs and other audio-visual productions (“synchronization licensing”). Licensees pay royalties pursuant to these licenses to CMRRA and, in turn, CMRRA distributes the proceeds to its publisher clients. The publisher in turn distributes the songwriter’s portion of such revenues to the songwriter involved.

It is unusual for artists to pay to record your songs. Having one of your song(s) “cut” by an artist means that you potentially will have performance royalties coming your way as well as proceeds of any sales of their album. It is important that they identify the songwriters name(s) on the album to ensure that all the songwriters get proper credit and get paid for the use of their work.

Once the product makes it to market and, IF it gets airplay, or is used in film, TV, documentaries, radio, digital downloads, you can make money from to performance royalties through SOCAN.

Register your song with SOCAN, Canada’s Performing Rights Organization, to collect any future Performance Royalties (Songwriting and Publishing).

You always have the opportunity to pitch your song(s) to artists and other projects to earn royalties and other license (or sync) fees.

Here are some recommended distributors: