How to Release Music as a Minor: The Complete Guide to Rights, Contracts, and Distribution

Releasing and distributing music as a minor is not at all an uncommon occurrence in the music industry. In fact, many of today’s biggest stars began their journeys before they could even drive or vote. For instance, Billie Eilish was only 13 years old when she recorded "Ocean Eyes" in her bedroom with her brother Finneas. By the age of 17, she had become a global phenomenon.

Justin Bieber was also 13 when he travelled to Atlanta, Georgia, with producer Scooter Braun to record demo tapes, only to start singing under Usher a week later and sign a contract with Raymond Braun Media Group shortly afterwards.

And the list doesn’t end there: Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, Olivia Rodrigo, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears — all of them launched their careers well before reaching legal adulthood. These aren't just feel-good stories — they're proof that age doesn't have to be a barrier to starting a music career.

Before diving into the release process, it's crucial to understand your legal standing as a young artist. The music industry may seem complicated, but knowing the basics of minor music rights gives you the power to make smart, confident decisions about your career.

In most jurisdictions, a "minor" is anyone under the age of 18. Although the age of majority – aka, the age at which full legal capacity is attained – differs from one place to another.

• United States: 18 in most states (19 in Alabama and Nebraska; 21 in Mississippi)

• United Kingdom: 18 in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

• Canada: 18 or 19, depending on the province

• European Union: Typically 18, but varies by member state

• Australia: 18 across all states and territories

First, it’s important to address a fundamental – if not the most vital – question: Do minors own their music rights? The answer is clear: Yes, if you create music, you own it, even if you’re under 18 (or below the age of majority in your country)

Copyright law recognizes the author of a creative work from the moment it's created. Age doesn't matter. If you wrote the lyrics, composed the melody, or recorded the track, those rights are yours.

Every piece of music actually contains two separate copyrights, and understanding the difference is key to protecting your work.

1. The Composition (Songwriting Rights)

This rights cover:

• The lyrics

• The melody

• The chords and harmonic structure

• The arrangement

If you wrote the song, you are the author and copyright holder of the composition. These rights last for your entire lifetime, plus 70 years after your death, in most countries (50 years in some jurisdictions). This means a song you write at 16 could still be generating income for your grandchildren decades from now.

2. The Master Recording (Sound Recording Rights)

This rights cover:

• The actual recorded file (the WAV, MP3, or FLAC that gets distributed)

• The specific performance captured in the recording

• The production elements unique to that recording

If you recorded it yourself in your bedroom, you own the master recording. If you recorded it in a professional studio, ownership depends on who paid for the session – but in most cases, where you're funding your own project, you retain ownership.

The key distinction: you can own the composition without owning the master (if someone else recorded it), or own the master without owning the composition (if you recorded someone else's song).

Ideally, as an independent artist, you want to own both, giving you full control over how your music is distributed and monetized.

The law is clear: being under 18 doesn’t take away your rights as a creator. So, if you already own your music, what’s the catch? The key limitation is contractual capacity. In most countries, minors can’t enter into legally binding contracts without parental or guardian consent.

Why does this matter? Because almost every part of releasing music involves contracts – whether you’re:

• Uploading songs through a distributor

• Registering with a performing rights organization (PRO)

• Licensing music to a label, publisher, or streaming platform

This is actually protective legislation designed to prevent exploitation of young creators. Courts recognize that minors may not fully understand the long-term implications of contracts, so they typically allow minors to void contracts they've signed (called "disaffirming" a contract). For that reason, most businesses require a parent or guardian to co-sign, ensuring that both parties are protected.

What Minors Can and Can’t Do Independently?

You CAN:

• Write, compose, and produce music

• Own copyrights to your original works

• Upload music to personal social media accounts (depending on the platform; some require parental consent under 13 or 16)

• Collaborate with other artists

• Build a fanbase and online presence

• Earn income from streams, downloads, and performances

You CANNOT (without parental or guardian involvement):

• Sign legally binding contracts on your own (distribution, label, management, etc.)

• Open most music distributor accounts

• Sign record deals, publishing agreements, or management contracts

• Open bank accounts to receive royalty payments in most cases

• File legal claims (e.g., copyright infringement) on your own

• Register directly with PROs like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS

This is where parents or guardians come in – not as owners of your work, but as legal facilitators who help you exercise your rights and manage contracts and payments until you reach the age of majority.

As we’ve just observed, parental or guardian consent isn’t optional when making and releasing music as a minor. Instead, it is largely mandated by law, mainly to safeguard the most vulnerable in these situations – the creative minor themselves – from being taken advantage of, and ensure that they are treated fairly in business dealings.

Still, it’s understandable that involving parents may feel like losing independence and handing over control of your dreams. But here’s the truth: while making music is the creative heart of what you do, releasing music professionally involves considerably more, much of which often remains behind the scenes, hidden from the public eye.

This complex web of tasks includes: understanding your rights, reviewing contracts, managing payments, splitting royalties, filing taxes, and staying compliant with regulations. Parental or guardian involvement isn’t just about permission; it’s often your strongest safeguard and support system for navigating the business side of music.

When your parent or guardian co-signs a distribution agreement or creates a music platform account on your behalf, they're typically agreeing to:

• Take legal responsibility for the terms of the contract

• Accept financial accountability for any fees or debts incurred

• Confirm the accuracy of the submitted information

• Ensure compliance with the platform’s rules and terms of service

• Handle tax and reporting obligations where necessary

• Authorize royalty payments to your account or a designated fund

What they're NOT necessarily agreeing to:

• Control over your creative decisions

• Ownership of your music rights

• A cut of your earnings (unless you've agreed to this separately)

The smartest way to protect both yourself and your parent is to put the arrangement in writing. A simple Guardian Consent Agreement or Minor Artist Consent Form should clearly state:

• The rights and copyrights belong solely to the artist (you, the minor)

• The guardian is acting only as a legal representative, not as an owner

• Any income or royalties belong to the artist, though the guardian may manage them until the artist turns 18

• The agreement automatically ends when the artist reaches the age of majority

This doesn’t have to be a complex legal document; a one-page agreement signed by both parties (and ideally witnessed or notarized) provides clarity and security for everyone involved. Make it a point to read every agreement together, ask questions, and ensure both you and your parent understand what each clause means before signing.

You might be wondering, ‘Why is this so important? These are my parents we’re talking about.’ Unfortunately, situations – even, or especially, within families – can change. Families experience conflicts. Parents divorce. Disagreements may arise over money or career paths. Having a written agreement from the beginning helps prevent confusion, disputes, and potential loss of income later on, and provides a clear paper trail of your ownership.

Music history is filled with cautionary tales of young artists whose parents or managers (as guardians) misused their earnings. Some lost millions due to poor oversight or outright exploitation.

One famous example is child actor Jackie Coogan, whose parents spent his entire fortune before he reached adulthood. His case led to the creation of California’s Coogan Law, which requires a portion of a child performer’s earnings to be set aside in a protected trust account until they reach the age of majority.

While the Coogan Law primarily applies to actors (and is applicable in specific regions of the US), its principles hold true for musicians: protect your income, document your ownership, and establish boundaries early on.

Creating a guardian consent agreement and, where possible, a trust or savings account for your royalties ensures that your creative earnings are preserved, and that you maintain full control once you reach adulthood.

So, you’ve written and recorded your first track, now it’s time to get it out into the world. The good news? You can absolutely release music before you’re 18. The process just involves a few extra legal steps to make sure everything runs smoothly and safely. Here’s a simple step-by-step breakdown of how to release your music when you’re under 18 (or under the age of majority in your country):

Digital music distribution is the process that puts your songs on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music, TikTok, YouTube Music, Tidal, and hundreds of other platforms worldwide. It's how independent artists get their music heard without having to sign to a record label.

When you sign up for a distributor, you're entering a service agreement, which is a legally-binding contract. And as we know, if you’re a minor, you cannot legally sign that contract yourself in most jurisdictions. Instead, your parent or guardian must handle the legal side on your behalf.

Here’s a simple step-by-step breakdown of how to release your music as a minor:

Step 1: Your guardian creates a distributor account

Since minors cannot legally sign contracts, your parent or guardian must open an account on a music distribution platform on your behalf. They register using their name, email address, and payment details, entering into the contract as your legal representative.

Tip: Choose a distributor that has clear policies for underage artists and allows guardian co-signing without unnecessary complications. At iMusician, we are known for offering transparent, minor-friendly terms.

Step 2: Set up your artist profile

Even though the account is technically registered under your guardian’s name, your artist profile should be set up in your stage name or chosen artist identity. This ensures:

• Your music is correctly credited to you

• Your artist brand remains consistent across platforms

• Fans and industry professionals can find you easily

• All your future releases connect under the same verified artist page

Step 3: Upload your music and metadata

You’ll upload your tracks, album artwork, and all the information about your release, including:

• Song title(s)

• Genre and language

• Release date

• ISRC and UPC codes (your distributor can help generate these)

• Songwriter and composer credits

You can do this together. While your guardian is the account holder, this is where you can take the lead creatively.

Step 4: Confirm legal representation

Most distributors require confirmation that the account holder (your parent/guardian) is legally authorized to act on your behalf and distribute your music. This confirmation typically includes:

• Declaring that you own the music rights

• Stating that the guardian is signing as a legal representative, not as a co-owner

• Agreeing to the platform’s terms of service and payment procedures

This step ensures transparency and prevents disputes about who owns what later on.

Step 5: Distribute to streaming platforms and download stores

Once everything is approved and your release is submitted to the distributor of your choice, your music goes live on all selected streaming and download platforms – Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and beyond – just like any other artist's work.

Your listeners will see your artist name, your artwork, and your music – never your parents’ name or account details. Whether you’re 17 or 37, your music speaks for itself.

Even though your guardian will sign on your behalf, you should always read and understand the contracts yourself – they determine how you get paid, and define what rights you're granting to others. Here are the most common types you’ll encounter.

What it does: Grants a distributor the right to deliver your music to streaming platforms and digital stores.

What to look for:

• Term: How long does the agreement last? Is it per-release or ongoing?

• Territory: Where will your music be distributed? Usually worldwide, but check.

• Rights granted: Should be non-exclusive distribution rights only

• Compensation: Flat fee per release, annual subscription, or percentage of royalties?

• Termination: How can you end the agreement, and what happens to your music?

Red flags:

• Distributor claiming ownership of your masters

• Exclusive terms preventing you from switching distributors

• Hidden fees or unclear revenue splits

• Automatic renewals without notice

Example – Typical terms with iMusician:

• Non-exclusive distribution rights (you keep control)

• You retain 100% ownership

• Transparent, flexible pricing (annual plans or per-release fees)

• Clear termination policy and takedown options

What it does: Deals with the songwriting side of your music – lyrics, melody, chord progressions.

Common types of publishing deals:

• Administrative publishing: Publisher handles paperwork and collection for a percentage (usually 10-20%)

• Co-publishing: Publisher takes 50% but may offer an advance payment.

• Full publishing: Publisher takes 100% of publishing but typically pays a large advance.

What to look for:

• Clearly defined royalty percentages

• Contract term (years) and reversion clause (when rights return to you)

• Territory (worldwide or regional)

• Advance payments vs. long-term royalties

Best option for minors: Start with self-publishing (keeping 100% of publishing rights) or administrative deals. Never give away your publishing rights unless you have legal advice.

Important note: Publishing rights are separate from master recording rights. You can self-distribute your recordings even if you sign a publishing deal, and vice versa.

What it does: Allows others to use your music in TV shows, films, ads, video games, or other media.

Two main license types:

• Synchronization license: Covers the composition (lyrics, melody)

• Master use license: Covers the recording itself.

You’ll need both to license a song for visual media (unless you cover someone else's composition, in which case you'd only license the master).

What to look for:

• Exclusivity: Is this exclusive or non-exclusive? Non-exclusive is safest, allowing you to license elsewhere.

• Territory: Where can your music be used? (Worldwide, specific countries, broadcast vs. internet)

• Term: How long can they use it for? (One-time, one year, perpetuity)

• Media: What types of content can feature your song?

• Compensation: Flat fee, per-use payment, or backend royalties?

Red flags:

• “In perpetuity” (forever) rights for small payment

• “All media” usage with no limits

• “Work-for-hire” language (means you’d lose ownership)

• Exclusive terms blocking future licensing deals

What it does: Documents who contributed to a song and how ownership and royalties are divided. This is especially important if you work with friends, classmates, or online collaborators. Without a split sheet, future disputes are almost guaranteed.

A proper split sheet should include:

• Song title and date of creation

• Names, roles, and contact info for all contributors

• Ownership percentages for the composition

• PRO affiliations (ASCAP, BMI, PRS, etc.)

• Signatures from everyone involved

Remember: Split sheets only cover the composition (songwriting), not the recording. Master recording ownership is separate and should also be documented if multiple people contributed to the recording. Create split sheets immediately after finishing a song with collaborators. Don't wait until there's money involved – that's when friendships end and legal battles begin.

Creating and releasing music is exciting. Getting paid for it? Even better. But the royalty system can be confusing, with money coming from different sources through various organizations. First things first, it’s important to understand the two main royalty types.

These come from the composition, aka the underlying song itself:

• Performance royalties: Generated when your song is played on radio, in venues, in stores, or streamed (a portion of streaming income goes to songwriters)

• Mechanical royalties: Generated when your song is reproduced (CDs, downloads, streams)

• Sync royalties: When your song is used in visual media (TV, film, ads, games)

Who collects these:

• Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, PRS (UK), etc.

• Mechanical Rights Organizations (MROs) like the MLC (US), MCPS (UK)

• Sync licensing is usually a direct negotiation

These come from the actual recording:

• Streaming royalties: From Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, etc.

• Download sales: From iTunes, Amazon, etc.

• Physical sales: From CDs or vinyl (if applicable)

Who collects these:

• Your music distributor collects from streaming platforms and pays you

• Direct sales (Bandcamp, your website) come straight to you

Step 1: Register with a PRO

To collect publishing royalties (from your songwriting), you need to join a Performing Rights Organization.

In the United States:

• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)

• BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.)

• SESAC (by invitation only)

• GMR (Global Music Rights, also by invitation)

Minors can join, but:

• You'll likely need parental consent

• Your parent may need to co-sign the membership agreement

• Some require you to be actively releasing music

In other countries:

• UK: PRS for Music

• Canada: SOCAN

• Germany: GEMA

• France: SACEM

• Australia: APRA AMCOS

Each PRO has slightly different membership requirements, fee structures, and services. Research which is best for you. In many countries, there's only one PRO so the choice is made for you.

What to register:

• Yourself as a songwriter

• Each song you write (title, lyrics, music, percentage ownership)

• Co-writers and their PRO affiliations

Your distributor needs banking information to send your master recording royalties.

Options for minors:

1. Teen/student checking account (your name with parent as custodian)

2. Custodial account (UTMA/UGMA in US, more formal structure)

3. Parent's account with clear documentation that funds belong to you

4. Joint account with parent

We covered this in detail in Chapter 2, but the key principle: have a separate account for music income. This creates clear financial tracking and demonstrates that this is business income, not allowance.

Releasing music is just one piece of building a sustainable career. As a minor, you have unique advantages (youth appeal, time to develop, native understanding of emerging platforms) and unique challenges (legal restrictions, educational obligations, parental oversight).

Social media is the modern musician's most powerful tool—but it comes with age restrictions and safety concerns.

Platform age requirements:

• TikTok: 13+ (16+ in some countries)

• Instagram: 13+

• YouTube: 13+ (can have channel managed by parent if younger)

• Twitter/X: 13+

• Facebook: 13+

• Snapchat: 13+

• Twitch: 13+

• Discord: 13+ (17+ for adult content servers)
  

If you're 13-15:

• Focus on creative content over personal life

• Have parents review content before posting

• Use privacy settings aggressively

• Don't share location information or school details

• Consider using a stage name and keeping personal identity somewhat private

• Don't engage with strangers requesting personal meetings or information

If you're 16-17:

• Develop your authentic artist brand

• Start engaging more directly with fans (still carefully)

• Build your email list (this is valuable long-term)

• Network with other artists in your genre/age range

• Create value-driven content (tutorials, behind-the-scenes, songwriting process)

Content ideas for young artists:

• Behind-the-scenes of recording process

• Song meaning explanations

• "How I made this beat" breakdowns

• Cover songs and interpretations

• Day-in-the-life content

• Collaborations with other young artists

• Live performance snippets

• Songwriting prompts and challenges

• Gear reviews and recommendations

• Progress videos showing your improvement over time

Live performance is where many artists truly connect with fans, but venues have age restrictions and safety concerns when booking minors.

All-ages venues:

• Coffee shops, community centers, libraries, schools

• Often don't serve alcohol, which makes booking minors easier

• May have earlier end times (10 PM curfews)

• Usually more welcoming to young performers

18+ or 21+ venues:

• Most bars, clubs, and some concert venues

• May make exceptions for performers (you can play but not attend as a guest)

• Often require parental supervision backstage

• May have specific insurance requirements for minor performers

What you need to perform legally:

• Work permit: Some jurisdictions require minors to have entertainment work permits

• Parental consent: Written permission from parent/guardian

• Parental supervision: The parent/guardian must be present for most minor performances

• Contract review: The parent/guardian should review any performance agreement

• Safety plan: Know exit routes, have emergency contacts, stay with parent/trusted adult

Being under 18 doesn’t prevent you from becoming a professional artist. From the moment you create a song, the rights belong to you. The only challenge is that contracts require a legal representative — and that’s where your parents or guardians come in. With the right agreements, clear communication, and a bit of organization, you can start your career early while protecting your creative future.

This guide covers a lot, but don’t feel overwhelmed – most young artists begin simply by releasing their music through a digital distributor like iMusician. It’s an intuitive process that gets your songs onto platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, and you can handle the more advanced steps – like registering with publishing or sync licensing organizations – later, as your career gains traction.

When you turn 18, you’ll step fully into your rights and responsibilities. But by then, you’ll already have a head start in your music career.