My Music Was Released Without My Consent. What Should I Do?

If you find out that your music ended up on streaming platforms without your authorization, here’s what you can do to resolve the situation effectively 👇

1. Contact the Collaborators Involved

The first step is to reach out to the parties involved in the creation of the release, such as collaborators, producers, or anyone who had access to the recordings. Ask them to remove the release from the platforms. Very often this is the result of miscommunication or lack of clarity in contractual agreements. Resolving the issue internally can save time and complications.

2. File a Claim Directly With the Streaming Platforms

If internal resolution isn’t possible, you’ll need to file a claim directly with the streaming platforms where the music was released. Most platforms have dedicated contact forms for such claims. Here’s a quick access to the main shops: 

• Spotify: Contact Form
• Apple Music: Contact Form
• Deezer: Contact Form

Once your claim is submitted, the platform will contact the distributor responsible for the release. Please note that we can only intervene in cases where we are responsible for the distribution of the release.

Further documentation may be required to verify ownership so be prepared to provide documents proving your ownership or rights to the release.

Prepare Proper Documentation

If you cannot provide sufficient evidence of your ownership, unfortunately there’s no guarantee your claim will succeed. To avoid such situations:

• Always establish a clear and detailed contract with all collaborators before the release is distributed.
• Always ensure you retain all necessary documents, such as licensing agreements, proof of ownership, or contracts.

We strongly recommend reading our article on distributing collaborative releases to ensure you’re fully prepared before releasing these kinds of projects! 

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