Music Copyright in the Digital Age: 5 Tips

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By Rohan Pandya

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Spotify is the home to the successful artists of tomorrow. Almost every famous singer starts their journey by uploading music and trying to get free Spotify followers. And so it’s undeniable that the platform plays a huge role in the music industry’s growth. But, no artist can progress in this digital age until he learns about music copyright, especially when using Spotify to make a career.

Music Copyright in the Digital Age

Spotify has over 433 million active users, which makes it the most popular streaming platform. Unfortunately, it means an increased risk of music theft and copyright infringement. This could be a disaster for new budding artists as others can easily steal their spot of fame. So, this article is a must-read if you’re a newbie in the industry. We’ve discussed the best 5 tips about music copyright in the digital age. Read more!

Learn How Music Copyright Works

There are two copyright laws designed for musicians: compositional and master copyright. As the name suggests, compositional copyright laws secure music composition. It includes beats, melodies, and tunes. These are for lyricists, composers, songwriters, and publishers. Comparatively, the master copyright focuses on the recording. It protects the expression created by the recording artists and their labels.

Register Yourself with the US Copyright Office

If you wish to benefit from copyright protection laws, getting registered with the US Copyright Office is important. The department monitors and takes action against any illegal use of the property. This includes music, videos, etc. Here’s how to register with the US Copyright Office:

  • Go to their official website – https://www.copyright.gov/
  • Fill in the PA form (composition) and SR form (sound recording). If you do any of these activities, fill out the forms accordingly.
  • You’ll need to submit a copy of your work along with the application. It will be an audio file for sound recordings and a music sheet document for composition.
  • Pay the fee. It will cost you around $35, which is $30 cheaper than the physical application submission.

Use Reputable Music Distributors

Music distributors are the companies who perform the duties of intermediaries between the artist and streaming services. You must partner with a distributor to upload your music on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. However, when doing so, make sure the distributor is reliable.

Most artists prefer an open-platform music distributor like TuneCore and DistroKid. It’s because they keep the process transparent and offer you the maximum royalties on the music. Just open their website, sign up for an account, upload the music, and watch your work reach thousands of people!

Own Your Work

Well, this tip is the most important one. The majority of artists enter the industry using acronyms and fake names. Many people, like Marshmellow, do not even reveal their faces. This indeed helps you experiment with new techniques while avoiding criticism in daily life. But this also makes copyright easy and frequent.

So, even if you’re keeping your identity hidden, make sure you’re publicizing the work massively. Create social media accounts, post on forums, add name tags on the visual content, and let people know it’s you who makes the music.

Monitor & Report

Lastly, do not upload and forget about your work. Keep a regular check on the platforms, and if you find someone illegally using your content, don’t let them go. Instead, contact them to remove the music or give you the due credit. When this doesn’t work, take support from the law and report the crime.

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Rohan Pandya

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Rohan Pandya is an Independent Journalist, Blogger, Youtuber, and entrepreneur who loves to explore the latest technology on the web every day. He thinks When You Are Young You Believe The Possibilities Are Endless.