Copyright exists automatically in stuff you write
But you have to get a licence from MCPS to release a CD. It's a bit of a minefield, but there's some stuff on the web to help. This for example.

It's a good idea to become a member of PPL, if you expect you may get airplay on radio stations. That way, your royalties are collected automatically and distributed to you a couple of times a year.

Don't expect to get rich from it!
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 8:52, 3 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

This ^^
Make sure that everyone involved is credited, even if it's under a blanket. Luckily this is where smaller bands have an advantage.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:06, Reply)

this cd is basically a sort of demo thing
to get our music heard a bit more and to try and get some of the money back that we have spent on it. we're not expecting to break even on it even.

do we need to go through that business for just selling a few cds at a gig?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:07, Reply)

You can get
a limited distribution licence for up to (I think) 1000 copies, if it's just for amateur use. It's only about £40 as I remember.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:14, Reply)

do we need one though if we are just flogging them to drunk people at gigs?

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:17, Reply)

Yes
Otherwise you could get into bother with the licensing authorities.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:20, Reply)

what cunts
I've been reading through the prsformusic site and it is confusing
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 9:25, Reply)

I hate
hate hate HATE the MCPS. They're staffed by window-licking cockfarts, and are incredibly unhelpful jobsworths.
(The Empress it seems you CAN polish a turd!, Tue 28 Jul 2009, 11:55, Reply)