Do I give up my copyright privileges when I upload music to your site?
No, not at all. You retain all such rights within our platform. You simply give us permission to distribute your music in order to monetize it for you, via Digital Music Services and YouTube, and then issue royalties due to you. If, at some future time, you change your mind, you can simply take down your releases.
What’s more, when you sign on with us, we will advise you how to accumulate further royalties connected to your copyright, that are not usually provided by stores and channels! In addition, you will acquire, through our recommended services, the know-how/ability to profit from your music each time it is downloaded, listened to, streamed or transmitted via radio. TV, films, etc., etc.!
Must I own the copyright in order to upload my music?
Yes. This is absolutely fundamental. You must own 100% of the musical composition, the lyrics and the sound recording itself. Otherwise, you are required to obtain usage licenses to distribute such content. Depending on the nature of your upload (a cover, public domain music, a sample, etc.) you may need one or both of the following;
- A copyright license for both the composition and the lyrics
- A license for all related rights of the sound recording
Closely and carefully follow the instructions given in our guidelines that offer specifications for every type of musical content.
Copyright violations are a crime and can result in both civil damages and serious legal penalties. This means that someone could bring a legal suit against you. Therefore, before uploading your music, you must be absolutely certain that you are the legal owner and/or the holder of all related licenses. When in doubt, do not upload.
If you upload music that is in the public domain be sure to respect international norms. If in doubt, seek legal expertise. We can offer you, as a client, some guidance in these matters.
Does your platform require exclusivity?
No, we do not obligate you to upload all your content(s) exclusively with us. Keep in mind that you may not upload a duplicate, that is an identical release to two or more distributors because, by having the same cover or the same title, the duplicate will cause confusion and will be rejected by those stores/channels.
Our contract states: “You cannot make the same musical content available to the same Digital Music Service (such us Deezer, iTunes etc.) using a distribution service other than “Service” or “Platform”.
This means that:
If you have already sent your release/single track to another distributor but now want, instead, to distribute these same items with us, you will have to simultaneously initiate the takedown process and notify both parties (them and us) of your intentions.
Inversely, for releases/tracks previously uploaded first to our platform for distribution to various stores/channels, you must not create exact duplicates in seeking to then publish them with other distributors. There are two reasons for this: 1. Other stores/channels will refuse these duplicates. 2. You will create problems with our Quality Control and will be required to do a “Takedown” procedure of your content, as well as pay an additional fee.
How much do your services cost?
Right now, because we are in a promotional phase, distribution is free of charge! We initially ask only 20% of your royalties but this can potentially decrease to 15% or even 10% if your royalties become consistent. Check out our Royalties Table:
Gross Royalties Your Earnings
Up to 1000 euro 80%
1001 to 10,000 euro 85%
10001 to 20.000 90%
Over 20,001 euro We offer a personalized contract
Going forward, we guarantee the same advantageous conditions to all artists who sign up now, provided that at least 0,004 € (about $…..) of royalties are earned for each minute of audio upload within one year of the upload date. (This covers our hosting expenses.) Even if this minimum threshold is not reached, conditions are almost as favorable in that you will retain the identical royalty percentage earnings with only the small additional fee of 1 euro (about $1) per track.
How do I get paid?
We can pay you via PayPal, Stripe or bank transfer. It’s your choice.
There is a minimum earnings threshold of € 70 to be reached before we can send along your payments. For your convenience, you can raise this minimum, if you wish.
How long must I wait to know if my release has been approved?
The approval period may require up to a week, assuming your timely response to our emails advising you of any needed corrections. In the absence of any such required corrections, a release often will be approved within three working days.
Once my release is approved, how soon will it be published and be made viewable and available in stores and channels?
This timeline varies from store to store, from channel to channel and, therefore, may require from two days to two weeks. When inserting the launch date of your release, be aware of this variable period of time. For this reason, we advise you to upload your music well in advance of your desired launch date – at least three weeks from the upload date.
How and when can I check my accumulated royalties?
Select the “Balance” tab in the “Sales” menu. Here you will find your verified royalties account from which you can request payment, provided the minimum 70 euro threshold has been reached or exceeded. Consequently, this is the key tab for discovering exactly how much money you have earned. For a provisional estimate of earnings not yet tallied or of royalties still unconfirmed, take a look at two other tabs: “Analytics” and “Reports”, both of which are explained in response to the following question:
Can I see which stores are distributing my content and find out if someone has downloaded my music?
Certainly! You will be able to follow the distribution process, store by store. About two months after you have uploaded your music and after we have completed the sales report, you will be able to view the stores where your music is already being showcased. For further information regarding sales accounts refer to “Sales” in the voice menu and see these tabs:
– “Analytics” – Here you can view a comprehensive sales graph or a graph specific to a certain store, channel or time period.
– “Reports” – All the specifics can be found here, which are even more precise than those found in “Analytics”. These detailed reports can be downloaded.
– “Balance” – Here is the summary of your already confirmed royalties, from which you can request payment (if you have reached or exceeded the minimum threshold sum). This is, therefore, the most significant tab for knowing exactly how much you have earned.
When will I receive my royalty payments?
You can request payment once you have reached the 50 € threshold. In any case, should you decide to close your account with us, you will be accredited all royalties earned, even if the total is less than 50 €.
Must I pay taxes on my earned royalties?
In general, yes. For a more precise answer to this question, we strongly advise you to turn to a business consultant. Regulations will vary, location to location, and according to individual situations.
Why does my music not appear on some Digital Music Services?
When we send your music to your preselected distribution services, it can happen that they need more time to process new material. It is also possible that more time is required because they want to make their own selections. In any case, Digital Music Services are not obligated to put up for sale all albums and tracks that are submitted to them. However, the majority of the music that passes quality control is accepted.
What is Quality Control (QC) and what does it do?
Before being published, all uploaded content is verified by the QC (Quality Control) team that works closely and expeditiously with us.
First of all, QC scrupulously determines who owns the necessary rights needed for distribution so that copyrights and related rights are not violated in any way. Then, QC evaluates the audio quality, makes sure that there is no offensive, defamatory or racist content and examines other factors as well. In addition, QC verifies that the musical content conforms to the requirements spelled out in the Guidelines.
Neither QC or we distributors evaluate subjective content based on individual taste. With us, artists are free to express their talent in whatever way they choose. This distinguishes us from other distributors that insist on certain stylistic and/or professional prerequisites before accepting an artist.
A few days after uploading your release, check out the QC tab in the “Distribution” menu. If there are no problems, the QC tab will show nothing, which means your release has been approved. You will find your release inserted in the “Deliveries” tab of the “Distribution” menu bearing the “Approved” label.
Otherwise, in this QC tab, you will find releases awaiting approval (‘Validation” status) or those releases in need of correction (“Ticket” status). If a ticket is open, we will notify you of the required modifications to be made. You are advised to make these needed changes and then promptly respond to us so that your ticket can be closed as soon as possible and publication can proceed. In our “Guidelines” you will find more detailed information. Please read this section carefully.
Can I select the countries where I want to distribute my music?
Yes, you will be the one to choose either world wide distribution or only those countries selected by you. You can also specify your preferred stores and/or channels. These services permit downloading and/or streaming in the specific geographical locations you have chosen. However, be aware that you cannot vary the services from location to location. That is, the same services you have chosen will be activated in the same manner in all selected geographical locations. For example, if you have opted for YouTube Content ID and Spotify and have picked the United States and Spain as your locations, these two services will be activated in both countries, not in one or the other.
Do you have a guide for uploading music?
Yes, if you read our guidelines carefully you will have no problems. Uploading music is quite simple from a technical standpoint. Besides providing technical know-how, our guidelines spell out all the musical requirements (audio quality, album cover graphics, legal specifications, etc.) as well as all other standards to be met.
Can I modify a track or an album after having uploaded them?
Only the metadata can be changed after uploading (artists names, track titles, etc.). Unfortunately, it is not possible to modify the audio content (adding, substituting, moving or exchanging the order of the tracks). If you absolutely need to generate changes in audio content, keep in mind that a minimum alteration of even one audio second, to one or more tracks, requiresthe creation of a new release. (In general, this is true not only for music content but also for any other product. If this modified product has characteristics different from the original it must have a it’s own barcode and a diverse presentation). Therefore, you have two options for making changes to audio content after publication: Takedown and/or re-upload. Both are described in our guidelines.
Modification of an uploaded album will launch a major redistribution process that will require a time period of several weeks. For this reason, do not expect your modifications to be immediately incorporated and made visibleby stores and channels.
Is there a limit to the number of tracks that I may upload?
Absolutely not. With us, there is no limit.
Will you help me to promote my music?
At this point we do not handle publicity but we will give you valuable advice that is aimed at the optimization of your profile in individual stores and channels.
We heartily encourage all artists to showcase their music via social networks and through other means.
To this end, it is super important that every artist fill in each of the following parts of the “Artist” tab on our platform, musicupload.monetizeyourcreations.com: “Biography”, “Website”, “Soundcloud Page”, “Facebook Page”, “Twitter”, “YouTube User” (YouTube channel user name).
In this way, artists will have maximum visibility and interactivity with their fans.
Must I have UPC and ISRC codes to upload my music?
Yes, these two codes are necessary for publication:
– An ISRC code for each track
– A UPC (barcode) for the release
If you don’t have either one of these, don’t worry. Unlike other distributors that make you pay for them, we furnish these, free of charge! For detailed information regarding these (identification) codes, please refer to our guidelines.
If I have previously published a release with another distributor and now wish to republish it with you, how do I deal with my already existing codes?
You need to retain your existing ISRC codes, as originally assigned, for each track. They absolutely cannot be changed. Besides, this will allow you to maintain the tally of your royalties earned from streaming and downloading during the transition period between your previous distributor (or label) and us.
As to the UPC code, you will be assigned a new one for releases published on our platform. Your previous code absolutely cannot be used.
We advise you to request a “takedown” from your present distributor only after your release is designated as approved on our platform. In this way you will avoid the loss of royalties during the transfer process of your catalog.
Can I also publish covers?
Of course, as long as you closely follow the detailed steps found in our guidelines. The rules for cover publication are quite simple.
1- Most importantly, the lyrics and the melody of the original cannot be modified. (Otherwise it would have to be re-identified as a “derivative work” or an edited work (or an “edit”). When you make a cover, you cannot insert or delete words of the original lyrics. Nor do you have the right to apply the original lyrics to your own melody.
Instead, making a cover means coming up with a new arrangement of the original piece, often changing the style. (For example, rearranging a pop style composition into a jazz style. Keep in mind that although the critical element of any piece of music is the melody, no one can ever make an exclusive claim to a series of chord progressions. Therefore they are always free to use for your own compositions. Chord progressions and rhythms taken from copyrighted songs are allowed as long as you do not copy the melodies, the lyrics, the secondary melodies or other key elements.
Translations: If you simply translate the lyrics of an original piece to another language you would have a derivative work since the words are no longer those of the original. To be clear, a version of a song in a language not original to it cannot be defined as a cover and special editorial permission would be required.
Instrumentals: A new version, made by simply removing the vocals of an original, cannot be considered a cover.Since the lyrics are omitted, it then becomes a “derivative” work, or an “edit”. Besides a mechanical license, this type of instrumental piece requires the express approval of the copyright owner because you are modifying/deleting the text which is an integral component of the original work itself.
2 – Your cover must be based on an already previously published (original) composition. Unless you have been expressly authorized to interpret this music prior to its publication by the composer/copyright owner, you have no right or legal standing to be the first to record and publish it.
3 – You must possess a mechanical use license for the copyrighted composition before you can publish your cover recording. In other words, don’t tell yourself, “First I’ll get started on publishing my cover and then I’ll get permission”. Instead, you must always get the necessary authorization and, only after that, can you proceed with publication. You must be absolutely rigorous in making sure that your permission date precedes the launch date of your cover. Otherwise, you risk legal consequences for copyright violation relating to the time period in which your cover has been published without having a license.
4 – Please note that 2 kinds of licenses may be needed for the publication of any release.
– A “mechanical license” for copyright usage. Copyright refers to the intellectual property of the composition, that is, the creation of the original melody and the original lyrics.
– A sound recording license for the so-called “related rights”, unless you happen to be the sole owner, an independent artist.
This is true also with a cover, for which you need first of all a “mechanical license”, that is the license that can be released by the original artist or artist’s representative. You will then also need a license for the “related rights” if they do not enterely belong to you. For example, if you made a recording in a recording studio where your producer retains a portion of your royalties, or if you are tied to a label that retains, even in part, the sound recording rights, , you must have the permission of all involved parties. The mechanical license, in any case, does not afford you any rights regarding the usage of original recording, even in the most minimal way. If you intend to use a segment of the original recording (a sample) please consult the appropriate section of our guidelines which will explain in detail everything you can or cannot do under various conditions.
5 – Even though you have secured a mechanical license for your cover, be aware that you cannot use this cover to accompany visual content published in any way, such as television broadcasts, YouTube videos, etc.
In fact, if you have a mechanical license for someone else’s composition and want to add this composition to some piece of visual content, a specific authorization will be required: a “synchronization license”. This is necessary even for static visual content, like that of a release cover.
In order to publishvideos along with covers, you must request this “synchronization license” from the author/editor of the original composition. Otherwise, you risk being sued for copyright violation. Moreover, you would not be able to monetize your cover, since royalties assigned by YouTube’s Content ID go automatically to the author/editor of the original composition.
If, instead, you do obtain a “synchronization license” you will be able to function legally and enjoy the right to your share of royalties.
Should you encounter difficulties in requesting a “synchronization license”, subscribe to our platform and contact us. We will give you the necessary information.
Can I use samples or segments of an original recording in my track?
If you are thinking of creating a track using parts of someone else’s original recording (from one second to a minuteor more), be aware that this is a complicated process with complex rules. In addition, you will need permission to combine two licenses (a mechanical license for copyright use and a master license for related rights). Further authorization will be required to add a third license, the “synchronization license”, should you want to useyour track for a video. You may then be disappointed, as the owner of the original recording is not obligated to grant this kind of permission.
If you go ahead and upload a track containing a sample from a third party, without the necessary authorization, your track will be blocked by our Quality Control and you will be denied publication. In the unlikely and unfortunate case that such an unauthorized track should pass Quality Control, be published and be known to the copyright owner, you will probably be sued and be subject to considerable legal and economic consequences. Therefore, you must adhere very closely to the following rules:
- IF – You have obtained permission to use a sample of an original recording, granted by the copyright owner or his/her representative . . .
be aware that our Quality Control, via its rigorous procedures, will request documentation from the owner which clearly demonstrates approval for the possession, the use and the commercialization of a portion of thisoriginal composition, which can then be inserted in your track.
2 – IF- Your sample is an original composition created by you and/or your collaborators using either an analog musical instrument or a virtual one (software) . . .
you may be asked to illustrate this. For example, you may be requestedto send us a video that shows you playing your composition on your instrument. Or, if your sample was made using software like Cubase, you could be asked for your Cubaselicense, in addition to a screenshot/recording of your monitor showing you using the software.
3 – IF – Your sample is a product of a purchased download . . .
you must present proof of payment, in the case of a single download, or evidence of a valid subscription to a website providing such samples. You must demonstrate that your sample is derived from this same provider.
4 – IF – Your sample has been obtained, free of charge, perhaps from an internet site,
you must provide the source as well as evidence of your rights to the commercial use of this specific sample.
5 – IF – You acquired your sample in any way unlike those listed in points 1- 4, you must present proof of the following:
– permission for use
– permission for commercialization
– verifiable legal sources/citations
– proof of legal acquisition (not pirated)
Must I pay attention to the copyright?
Certainly and absolutely meticulously! Always keep in mind that the owner of the copyright, andall related recording rights, is the only person who has the prerogative to:
– distribute his work
– perform his work
– publish or make his work known to the public in any other way
– modify or transform his work in a derivative piece
Accordingly, if you are not the copyright owner, you must possess a specific usage license, even for the most minimal application of someone else’s composition.
As illustrated in the following cautionary examples, copyright violation can have serious consequences.
1. Publishing a cover, without obtaining a mechanical license, puts you at risk for a fine of $150,000, plus legal expenses, with the possibility of legal detention.
2. Publishing a cover illegally could result in a take-down notice from the DMCA, the international entity that safeguards copyrights.
How can I get a license for a cover?
Bear in mind that there can be/are two types of mechanical licenses (the right to use someone else’s composition in your recording) that are needed to publish a cover.
1. A license for limitedstreaming/downloading (for emerging artists): Should downloads of your cover exceed the (predetermined) threshold, this would signal a great success for your cover, but you would also have to pay an additional sum to obtain a new mechanical license for unlimited use.
2. An unlimited streaming/download license: No additional payments will ever be required, whatever the amount of streaming or downloading of your cover.
We advise you to explore these two internet portals, “Songfile” and “Easysonglicensing”, that present various offers for mechanical licenses.
Clear Cover Song – Synch Print Master Grand Rights – Easy Song Licensing
| Clear Cover Song – Synch Print Master Grand Rights – Easy Song Licensing Clear any cover song in 1-2 days. You can talk to a real person and we handle everything for you. |
Can I publish music from the public domain?
Of course. However, you must be extremely careful to respect the legal boundaries. Be aware that, according to the country in which your music is distributed, the duration of the copyright and related rights will vary and could also change over time. Therefore, it is necessary to be well informed and up to date regarding rules and regulations. If you need information about this, subscribe to our platform and contact us.
How can I close my account?
In the unlikely case that you may want to close your account, there is no problem. However, removing albums or tracks from stores and channels can take months, at times even up to a year. Unfortunately/Regrettably, we cannot speed up this process/this process cannot be accelerated. Besides, it is in your interest, as the artist, to maintain an active account so you can receive all your earned royalties. Contact us, as needed, and we will tell you how to proceed.