I have recently written a song that people seem to like and want to perform. It is VERY traditional sounding, and, while it'll be lovely to hear other people singing it, and maybe recording it, I don't want to run the risk of it being attributed as 'Trad.' (or far worse, having somebody else claim that they wrote it). Friends tell me that in the UK, copyright is sort of automatic, and there is nowhere to register songs. Is this right? Can I do no more to protect my songs and prove that they are mine? Friends at the clubs I go to know which songs I have written, but will this be enough proof if someone else suddenly pops up singing them? (I know some have been recorded at sessions).

Julie B