Proof matters too.

Owning your music & proving it are two very different things.

 

Hey SoundBirthers 👋

If you wrote a song, recorded it and released it, you probably assume you own it.

And in most cases, you do.

But here’s another question:

Can you prove it?

Ownership and proof of authorship are not the same thing.

For independent artists, understanding the difference can make all the difference if a dispute ever arises.

 

Does releasing a song automatically protect it?

This is one of the most common misconceptions among independent musicians.

Uploading your music to Spotify, Apple Music or other streaming platforms distributes your work to listeners.

However, streaming platforms are not designed to establish formal proof of authorship.

Releasing a song and proving you created it are two separate things.

 

Why proof of authorship matters

Most artists never expect someone to question their work.

But situations like these can happen:

• Someone claims they wrote your song first.
• A collaborator disagrees about who created the music.
• Your composition is copied or reused without permission.
• You need to demonstrate when your work already existed.

When questions arise, having official proof of authorship can become extremely valuable.

 

How SoundBirth helps protect your music

SoundBirth integrates a protection system, powered by Musicstart by Sacem, directly into the release workflow.

Instead of using external services or complicated administrative processes, artists can protect their released music directly from the SoundBirth app.

Every protected song receives:

• an official Musicstart certificate;
• blockchain-backed proof of authorship;
• a permanent timestamp establishing the anteriority of the work.

Why blockchain?

Blockchain technology records information in a way that cannot be altered afterward.

This creates an immutable timestamp associated with your protected work.

If you ever need to demonstrate when your music was protected, your certificate provides verifiable evidence.

 

Does Musicstart replace copyright?

No.

Musicstart does not replace copyright law or copyright registration where applicable.

Instead, it provides documented proof of the creation date and authorship of your work.

This additional evidence can be particularly valuable if ownership is ever disputed.

 

Can you still protect music that has already been released?

Yes.

Any eligible release distributed through SoundBirth can be protected after publication.

Of course, protecting your music as early as possible remains the best practice.

 

What happens if you cancel your subscription?

Your existing certificates remain valid.

Any songs protected while your Musicstart subscription was active continue to benefit from their proof of authorship.

Canceling your subscription simply means you won’t be able to protect new releases until you subscribe again.

Why independent artists should think about protection

Every independent artist invests time, creativity and passion into creating music.

Protecting that work isn’t about expecting problems.

It’s about being prepared if they ever happen.

Just like backing up your recordings or registering your publishing rights, protecting your music is another step toward building a sustainable music career.

 

Protect your music with SoundBirth

SoundBirth makes music protection simple through its integration with Musicstart by Sacem.

Open one of your releases, tap Protect, and receive official proof of authorship in just a few minutes.

Because creating your music is only part of the journey.

Protecting it is just as important.

Martin, COO of SoundBirth
& The Amazing SoundBirth Team 💜