Are you an independent musician looking for a distribution service to get your music out to the world? If so, you may have come across DistroKid. DistroKid is a popular digital distribution service that allows musicians to upload their music to various streaming platforms and online stores. However, you may be wondering whether DistroKid copyrights your music for you.
The short answer is no, DistroKid does not copyright your music for you. According to their help center, “DistroKid does not take any ownership or intellectual property rights from artists. You keep 100% ownership.” This means that as the artist, you are responsible for obtaining the necessary copyright protections for your music. While DistroKid does not offer copyright services, they do provide helpful resources and advice for independent musicians on their website.
What is DistroKid?
DistroKid is a digital music distribution service that helps musicians and artists put their music into online stores and streaming services. These include popular platforms like iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, and many more.
DistroKid collects earnings and payments from these platforms and sends 100% of the earnings to the artists, minus banking fees and applicable taxes. This means that artists can keep all the money they earn from their music sales and streams.
DistroKid also offers a range of tools and services to help artists promote and distribute their music. For example, artists can use DistroKid to create and distribute cover songs, remixes, and samples. DistroKid also offers a feature called “HyperFollow” that helps artists create landing pages for their music and promote their releases on social media.
DistroKid is a popular and user-friendly platform that helps artists get their music out into the world and earn money from their creations.
Understanding Copyright
When it comes to music, copyright is a legal concept that gives the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution. As an artist, it’s important to understand how copyright works and how it applies to your music.
In the United States, copyright protection is automatic and begins as soon as a work is created. This means that your music is protected by copyright the moment you write it down or record it. However, registering your music with the United States Copyright Office can provide additional legal protections and benefits.
As the copyright owner of your music, you have the exclusive right to:
- Reproduce your music
- Distribute your music
- Perform your music publicly
- Create derivative works based on your music
- Sell, license, or assign your music to others
It’s important to note that copyright law can be complex, and it’s always a good idea to consult with a legal professional if you have questions or concerns about your rights as a copyright owner.
In the case of DistroKid, the platform does not copyright your music for you. As stated in their help center, “DistroKid does not take any ownership or intellectual property rights from artists. You keep 100% ownership.” This means that as a DistroKid user, you retain all of the rights to your music and are free to distribute it as you see fit.
Does DistroKid Copyright Your Music?
One of the most common questions that artists have when it comes to using DistroKid is whether or not the platform copyrights their music. The answer is no, DistroKid does not copyright your music for you.
As an artist, you own the rights to your music, and DistroKid does not take any ownership or intellectual property rights from artists. You keep 100% ownership of your music, and you are responsible for registering your music with the appropriate copyright offices.
That being said, there are certain advantages to registering your music with the copyright office, including the establishment of a public record of the copyright claim. This can be important if you ever need to take legal action against someone who infringes on your copyright.
DistroKid does not copyright your music for you. You are responsible for registering your music with the appropriate copyright offices, and you retain 100% ownership of your music when using DistroKid.
How DistroKid Handles Copyright
DistroKid takes copyright seriously and works to ensure that their users are only uploading content they have 100% rights to.
When you upload your music to DistroKid, they do not automatically copyright your music for you. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have obtained all necessary rights before uploading your music.
However, DistroKid does offer a service called “Leave a Legacy” which allows you to register your music with the US Copyright Office for a one-time fee. This service is optional and not required for distribution through DistroKid.
It is important to note that copyright registration is not necessary for legal protection of your music. Copyright protection is automatic upon creation of an original work, and registration simply provides additional legal benefits in the event of an infringement suit.
DistroKid does not automatically copyright your music for you, but they do offer an optional service to register your music with the US Copyright Office. It is your responsibility as the artist to ensure that you have obtained all necessary rights before uploading your music.
Benefits of Copyrighting Your Music with DistroKid
Copyrighting your music with DistroKid has several benefits. Here are a few:
Legal Protection
Copyrighting your music with DistroKid provides legal protection for your music. Under the present copyright law, which became effective January 1, 1978, a work is automatically protected by copyright when it is created. A work is created when it is “fixed” or embodied in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. By copyrighting your music with DistroKid, you can ensure that your music is protected by law.
Royalties
Copyrighting your music with DistroKid can also help you earn royalties. When you copyright your music, you are entitled to collect royalties for any public performance of your music. This means that any time your music is played on the radio, in a TV show or movie, or in a public venue, you are entitled to collect royalties. DistroKid can help you collect these royalties and ensure that you are paid for your work.
Proof of Ownership
Copyrighting your music with DistroKid provides you with proof of ownership. This is important if you ever need to prove that you are the owner of a particular piece of music. By copyrighting your music with DistroKid, you can prove that you are the rightful owner of the music and prevent others from claiming ownership.
International Protection
Copyrighting your music with DistroKid also provides international protection. This means that your music is protected in countries all around the world. If someone in another country uses your music without permission, you can take legal action to protect your rights.
copyrighting your music with DistroKid provides legal protection, helps you earn royalties, provides proof of ownership, and provides international protection. It’s a simple and effective way to protect your music and ensure that you are paid for your work.
Potential Drawbacks of Copyrighting Your Music with DistroKid
While copyrighting your music with DistroKid may seem like a good idea to protect your intellectual property rights, there are some potential drawbacks to consider.
Firstly, copyright registration can be a time-consuming and costly process. While DistroKid offers a copyright registration service, it comes at an additional cost, and the process can take several months to complete.
Secondly, copyrighting your music can limit your ability to collaborate with other artists or use samples from other copyrighted works. This is because you will need to obtain permission from the copyright owner before using their work, which can be a complicated process.
Additionally, copyrighting your music does not guarantee that your work will not be subject to infringement or piracy. While DistroKid does take intellectual property rights seriously and offers tools to help you monitor and enforce your rights, it cannot prevent others from illegally using your work.
Finally, copyrighting your music can limit your ability to monetize your work on certain platforms. For example, some royalty-free music libraries require that you do not register your music with a performing rights organization (PRO) like ASCAP or BMI, which can limit your earning potential.
while copyrighting your music with DistroKid can provide some benefits, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks before making a decision.
Alternatives to DistroKid for Copyrighting Music
While DistroKid is a popular choice for independent musicians to distribute their music, it does not copyright your music for you. If you’re looking for a service that can help you with copyrighting your music, here are some alternatives to DistroKid:
1. Copyright.gov
Copyright.gov is the official website of the U.S. Copyright Office. It offers a wealth of information on copyright law and provides a platform for registering your work. The registration process is straightforward and can be done online. The fee for registering a single work is $45, and it takes around three months for the registration to be processed.
2. Songtrust
Songtrust is a music publishing administration service that helps songwriters and artists collect royalties from their music. It also offers copyright registration services. The registration process is simple and can be done through their website. Songtrust charges a one-time fee of $15 per song for copyright registration.
3. LegalZoom
LegalZoom is an online legal service provider that offers copyright registration services. They provide a step-by-step guide to the registration process and offer support from their team of attorneys. The fee for registering a single work is $114, which includes the filing fee charged by the U.S. Copyright Office.
4. Myows
Myows is a copyright management service that helps creators protect their work. It offers a range of features, including copyright registration, monitoring, and enforcement. The registration process is simple and can be done through their website. Myows charges a one-time fee of $29 per work for copyright registration.
there are several alternatives to DistroKid for copyrighting your music. Each service has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to do your research and choose the one that best fits your needs.
Conclusion
DistroKid does not copyright your music for you. As stated on their Help Center page, “You own your music! DistroKid does not take any ownership or intellectual property rights from artists. You keep 100% ownership.”
However, it is important to note that copyright laws vary by country and it is always a good idea to consult a lawyer for legal advice. DistroKid also recommends that you register your songs with a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) to ensure that you receive royalties for your music.
Additionally, if you plan on uploading cover songs, there are some exceptions that you should be aware of. DistroKid requires that the song has been released on iTunes or Amazon MP3 or appeared on a limited pressing of vinyl that can be purchased at a record store in the United States.
DistroKid is a great option for independent artists looking to distribute their music. With their affordable pricing and easy-to-use platform, they make it easy for artists to get their music on major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
