How To Protect Your Music Copyright

What is copyright and why is it important in music?

Copyright in music is the legal protection granted to the creators of original musical works, ensuring that they have the exclusive right to use and distribute their creations. This protection covers various aspects of the music, including the composition (Art Works/Music Covers, Musical Composition, Sound Recording, Performance Rights, Reproduction Rights, Distribution Rights, and lyrics) as well as the other legal items relating to the music.

For example, copyright, in other words, is like putting a lock on your door to prevent thieves from getting in and stealing your property. So copyright is to protect your music from unauthorized usage and stealing purposes. Copyright is also termed in music as (music right, author’s right, creator’s right, etc.)

Importance Of Copyright In Music

Copyright is a very vital tool that protects individual music/property from unauthorized use. It gives full access to the right owner while limiting third-party infringement. It is used in collecting revenue generated from a creator’s content/property to the creator, most especially on YouTube.

If someone or a third party uses your content(music) and causes you damage, if you have a registered copyright to that content(music), the minimum fine is $100,000 each time. Copyright tool is the easiest way to claim such an amount with ease.

Here are some key details about copyright importance in music:

Content Revenue Protection: Music copyright enables creators to earn fully from their work by granting them only, the right to monetize their music through sales, licensing, streaming, and performances. This is to ensure that no third party or individuals should be allowed to use a creator’s content to monetize without his or her permission.

False Acclaims Protection: Copyright is the best tool to prevent people from stealing/claiming your content(music). Many people are out there looking forward to claiming music that resonates well so it is very important to protect your content with the copyright tool.

Content Usage Protection: As the right owner of content by copyright, you will have the privilege to control who is allowed to use your content and who is not allowed. That means with copyright you will have full control over your content(music) as long as you are protected by copyright.

How To Protect Your Music Copyright.

The simplest way to protect your music is to first get your music on digital streaming platforms such as Audiomack, Apple Music, Boomplay, Deezer, Spotify, etc. These platforms can help you claim for your music and it offers basic protection to audio tracks. NOTE: Only these platforms cannot be relied on, because they don’t offer complete protection over one’s music rather third parties do.

Below are three bodies that can help you fully protect your music from unauthorized use:

1, Anti-Piracy for music

Anti-Piracy for music: this is an essential body for protecting music copyright by deterring and combating unauthorized distribution, reproduction, and sharing of copyrighted music.

Here are several ways in which anti-piracy efforts can help safeguard music copyright:

1. Digital Rights Management (DRM): Implementing DRM technologies can help prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of digital music files. DRM restricts access to copyrighted content and controls how it can be used, ensuring that only authorized users can access and use the music.
2. Watermarking and Fingerprinting: Their system uses watermarking and fingerprinting technologies to embed unique identifiers into music files, making it possible to trace and identify unauthorized copies. These identifiers can be used to track the origin of pirated content and enforce copyright infringement claims.
3. Takedown Notices: Artists, labels or artist management can issue takedown notices to internet service providers (ISPs), websites, YouTube, and online platforms hosting infringing content. They can request the removal of their copyrighted music that has been illegally shared or distributed without authorization.
4. Monitoring and Enforcement: Artists or management can identify instances of piracy and take appropriate enforcement actions. This may involve sending cease and desist letters, pursuing legal action against infringers, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to combat large-scale piracy operations.
5. Education and Awareness: Artists or management will get the opportunity to be educated about the importance of respecting copyright and the consequences of piracy can help reduce the demand for pirated music.
6. Partnerships and Collaboration: Building partnerships with ISPs, technology companies, industry associations, and law enforcement agencies can strengthen anti-piracy efforts. Collaborative initiatives can lead to the development of innovative solutions, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement actions against piracy networks and platforms.
7. Legal and Regulatory Measures: Advocating for stronger copyright laws, regulations, and enforcement mechanisms can enhance the legal framework for combating music piracy. Legal measures such as statutory damages, criminal penalties for piracy, and international cooperation agreements can deter infringers and provide greater protection for music copyright.

2, TuneRegistry

TuneRegistry: helps to protect music copyright by providing creators with tools and resources to manage their rights, register their works, and enforce their copyrights effectively.

Here are some ways in which TuneRegistry can assist in protecting music copyright:

1. Music Metadata Management: TuneRegistry allows creators to efficiently manage metadata for their musical works, including song titles, composers, publishers, release dates, and ownership details. Accurate metadata is crucial for copyright registration, licensing, and tracking usage, ensuring that creators receive proper attribution and compensation for their music.
2. Copyright Registration: TuneRegistry streamlines the process of registering music copyrights with relevant performing rights organizations (PROs), copyright offices, and other rights management entities. By assisting creators in registering their works promptly and accurately, TuneRegistry helps establish a clear record of ownership and strengthens legal protection against infringement.
3. Royalty Collection and Administration: TuneRegistry facilitates the collection, administration, and distribution of royalties generated from the use of your copyrighted music. By registering with PROs, mechanical rights organizations, and digital distribution platforms, creators can ensure that they receive royalties for performances, mechanical licenses, streaming, downloads, and other uses of their music.
4. Sync Licensing and Clearance: TuneRegistry assists creators in managing the licensing and clearance process for synchronizing music with visual media, such as films, TV shows, commercials, and video games. By centralizing information about song ownership and rights availability, TuneRegistry helps streamline the licensing process, reduce administrative overhead, and maximize revenue opportunities for creators.
5. Data Matching and Monitoring: TuneRegistry employs technology to match and monitor music usage across various platforms and media channels, including streaming services, radio broadcasts, and online videos. Creators can identify potential instances of copyright infringement and take appropriate enforcement actions to protect their rights using their tracking system.
6. Education and Support: TuneRegistry offers educational resources, tutorials, and support services to help creators navigate the complexities of music copyright, licensing, and rights management. By guiding best practices, legal requirements, and industry standards, TuneRegistry empowers creators to make informed decisions and effectively protect their music copyrights.

3, AudioLock

AudioLock: is a service designed to help music rights holders protect their copyrighted material from unauthorized distribution and piracy.

Here’s how AudioLock can assist in protecting music copyright:

1. Content Monitoring and Detection: AudioLock employs advanced technologies to monitor the internet for instances of unauthorized distribution and piracy of copyrighted music. Through web crawlers and scanning algorithms, AudioLock identifies websites, forums, and file-sharing networks where infringing copies of your music are being shared or distributed.
2. Takedown Notices and Removal: Upon detecting instances of copyright infringement, AudioLock assists rights holders in issuing takedown notices to the hosting providers, website administrators, or platform operators hosting the infringing content. By submitting comprehensive takedown requests, AudioLock helps ensure that online platforms and networks do not use your content else they will remove them from their sites or accounts.
3. Anti-Piracy Protection Tools: AudioLock offers a range of tools and services to enhance anti-piracy protection for music rights holders. These may include watermarking technologies, digital fingerprinting, and content identification solutions that help track and trace the origin of pirated copies, as well as deter unauthorized sharing and distribution of copyrighted music.
4. Data Analytics and Reporting: AudioLock provides rights holders with detailed analytics and reporting on piracy-related activities, including the number of infringing links detected, the effectiveness of takedown efforts, and trends in piracy behavior. By analyzing this data, rights holders can gain insights into piracy patterns, assess the impact of infringement on their music catalog, and refine their anti-piracy strategies accordingly.
5. Legal Support and Enforcement: In addition to automated takedown efforts, AudioLock may offer legal support and enforcement services to rights holders facing persistent or large-scale copyright infringement. This may involve collaborating with legal experts, law enforcement agencies, and industry associations to pursue legal action against repeat infringers, pirate networks, or online piracy platforms.
6. Education and Best Practices: AudioLock provides educational resources, training materials, and best practices guides to help rights holders understand the threats posed by online piracy and implement effective strategies for protecting their music copyrights. By raising awareness about piracy risks and mitigation strategies, AudioLock empowers rights holders to take proactive measures to safeguard their intellectual property.

Here are three bodies or institutions that have the mandate to fight for the right holder’s claim the legal way. These bodies are in Europe and work worldwide, they work professionally.

Their service covered Audiomack, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, Boomplay, etc. All streaming, TV/Radio airwaves, and other websites. It goes on to cover shows/concerts/festivals and many other events so no need to worry just choose from one of the three and start protecting and collecting revenue for your used music when you do not even publish it yourself. Thank You for reading