Can one simply record/write one’s own music down and then mail to one’s self, registered, and not open it? Furthermore, would that then apply to both Canadian and US jurisdictions? How about worldwide?
What’s the cheapest and easiest way to accomplish the establishment of copyright on one’s music? In Canada.
Don’t know about Canada, but this mailing it to yourself business is total bunk in the US. All the usual copyright FAQs dismiss it. These are US-centric and US IP law varies in some important ways from international standards, I don’t know where to find the equivalent Canadian FAQs.
Canada doesn’t require copyright registration, so all you have to do is say you have copyright. According to the Canadian copyright page
Put a copyright notice on the work and you’re protected (and you may even have protection if you don’t – check the copyright page).
IANAL, and I don’t know anything about Canada’s copyright registration process, but depending on why you’re asking, you may want to register the copyright anyway.
Under U.S. law, copyright is automatic on creation of the work in question. But if you want to sue someone for infringement, you must register the work properly in order to receive statutory damages. If you have failed to do so, there’s no point in suing an infringer. A “moral” victory would certainly be a financial disaster.
If the same is true under Canadian law, and you have a reasonable concern about infringement, then you should be sure to fully understand the copyright process and apply it appropriately.