Unusual mu(2)- and mu(3)-coordination modes of melamine are found in two organic-inorganic hybrid copper halides, [Cu(2)Br(2)(MA)](n) (1) and [Cu(3)Cl(3)(MA)](n) (2) (MA = melamine), in which the MA ligand affords two N-heterocycle N atoms to link (Cu(2)Br(2))infinity stairs and serves as a novel mu(3) bridge to give a 3D framework, respectively.