SOCAN has nothing to do with copyright, technically speaking. Copyright (for Canadians) is automatic. Socan is a collection agency, which makes sure you get your royalties, and is connected with other similar agencies around the world. If someone in Lower Dystopia plays your song on the radio, and everyone fills in their forms correctly, you will, someday, get a nickle!

Registering with SOCAN could be used as evidence of copyright, in the same way that sending yourself a copy in the mail might be used. But (the last time I checked) no actual case has ever been decided on this basis.

(At least, that's what SOCAN said when I joined 20 yrs ago).

Any actual lawyers have an opinion here???