INDIE ARTISTS: LABEL & JACKET INFORMATION
(make sure the tray card is set up correctly and all writing, including
spine, reads left to right)
1) WHAT SHOULD GO ON YOUR JACKETS
I. Catalogue #
II. Made in Canada
III. MAPL (logo)
IV. Bar Code
V. Copyright Notice
VI. Contact Information
VII. Writers/ Publishers Credits
2) WHAT SHOULD GO ON YOUR LABELS
| CD: Compact Disc (Logo) Catalogue # Made in Canada Copyright Notice MAPL (Logo) |
CASSETTE: Catalogue # Copyright Notice Made in Canada MAPL logo (optional) |
The Copyright notice - © This
refers to the ownership of the song & the year copies were first issued
to the public. This is particularly important for product crossing borders,
it could affect royalties if other artists cover the song. (Remember,
as a songwriter, you own your songs- it is inherent in the work).
Copyright in sound recording - The letter p in
a circle indicates the copyright of the sound recording itself, the owner
of this particular recording; (usually the record company).
Song titles - The song title on the label should
match the originally filed title. Any changes must be registered with
the performing rights organization (PRO), in Canada this is SOCAN. Songs
are tracked by PROs from radio stations’ playlist logs, which list
only song titles and composer information. If the two sets of information
do not match, you risk your title being misidentified during the performance
royalty process.
Composer information - PROs must ignore radio
log entries that show a title only, there could be numerous songs registered
with the same title. They have no way of knowing which of these was performed
unless composer information is provided. (If you ever use a pseudonym,
inform SOCAN immediately).
Artist information - This should be a given, however,
to state the obvious... make sure the artist who is performing the song
is on the label.
Cancon & the MAPL logo - The CRTC states a
certain amount of airplay must be Cancon (Canadian content). RPM magazine’s
Stan Klees designed the MAPL logo to assist radio programmers in identifying
songs that qualify as Cancon. The logo is a circle divided into four distinct
quartered sections:
| M - Music composed by a Canadian | A - Artist performing is a Canadian |
| P - Produced in Canada | L - Lyrics written by a Canadian |
A blacked-in background behind the letter indicates the
requirement has been met. Two of the four categories must be Canadian
to qualify for Cancon status.
Mailing address - This is often omitted and it
is essential for media, distributors, retailers, and anyone requiring
information on your product.
Duration - Length of song is essential for disc
jockeys and programmers. Make sure time is accurate.
Catalogue number - Assigning your record a number
helps to identify from all the other records in the market. Retailers
expect a catalogue number for re-ordering purposes. (You can make this
number up yourself.)
Bar Code - This is essential for the major chain record stores, and Soundscan, to keep track of units sold. Website - An excellent place to include your website url. |
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