Understanding key music industry terms will help you navigate distribution, royalties, and rights management more effectively.
Master Rights — The ownership of the actual sound recording. As an independent artist, you typically own your master rights unless you sign them away to a label.
Publishing Rights — The ownership of the underlying composition (melody and lyrics). Publishing rights can be managed through a publishing administrator or publisher.
Mechanical License — Required when reproducing a composition on a physical or digital medium. Cover songs require a mechanical license.
Sync License — Permission to use a song in visual media (film, TV, ads, etc.).
ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) — A unique identifier for each recorded track. ISRCs are essential for tracking streams and royalties across platforms.
UPC/EAN (Universal Product Code / European Article Number) — A barcode used to identify a release (album, EP, or single). Every release needs a unique UPC.
ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) — Identifies a musical composition, separate from the sound recording.
Mechanical Royalties — Paid for the reproduction of a composition (e.g., when a song is streamed or downloaded).
Performance Royalties — Paid when a composition is publicly performed or broadcast. Collected by PROs (Performing Rights Organizations).
Master/Neighbouring Rights Royalties — Paid to the owner of the sound recording when the track is publicly broadcast (e.g., played on radio).
DSP (Digital Service Provider) — Streaming platforms and digital stores like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal.
Takedown — The removal of a release from all or selected DSPs.
Pre-release — A release set to go live on a future date, often used with pre-save/pre-add campaigns.
Exclusive / Non-Exclusive Distribution — SongDis offers non-exclusive distribution, meaning you retain full ownership and can distribute through other channels.