Someone Else Distributed My Music. What Can I Do?

If your original sound recordings, musical compositions, or visual assets have been uploaded and distributed to digital platforms without your authorization, you can use copyright takedown procedures to request removal of the infringing material.

How you handle the infringement depends on whether the unauthorized release was delivered through DistroVibe or another distributor.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult an intellectual property lawyer.

Case 1: The Infringing Release Was Distributed Through DistroVibe

If you have found an unauthorized release on digital storefronts (such as Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube) that you believe was delivered through DistroVibe:

1. Submit a Takedown Notice: Use our online DMCA Notice Form at distrovibe.com/dmca or email our designated DMCA agent at legal@distrovibe.com.

2. Provide the Required Details: A complete notice must include:

   • Your full legal name, physical address, telephone number, and email address.

   • Identification of your original work (title, artist, and ISRC or registration number if available).

   • Direct links to the infringing release on DSPs (and its UPC/ISRC, if known).

   • A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

   • A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and that you are the owner or authorized to act on the owner's behalf.

   • Your physical or electronic signature (typing your full legal name).

   Supporting proof of ownership (e.g., project stems, DAW session files, earlier release dates, or registration certificates) helps us review the claim.

3. What Happens Next: Our legal team reviews the notice. Once a complete notice is verified, we send removal requests to the stores, freeze royalties for the disputed content, and notify the uploader, who may submit a counter-notification. Final removal timing on each store is controlled by that store.

Please note that a copy of your notice, including your name and contact details, may be shared with the account holder who uploaded the disputed release. Knowingly submitting a false claim can make you liable for damages.

Case 2: The Infringing Release Was NOT Distributed Through DistroVibe

If the infringing material was delivered to stores via another distributor or aggregator, DistroVibe cannot issue takedowns on their behalf. You must file a copyright or intellectual property infringement notice directly with the respective platform (or with the distributor that delivered it).

Reporting Links for Major Platforms

Platforms change these pages from time to time; if a link no longer works, look for the "copyright" or "intellectual property" section of the platform's legal or help pages.

• Spotify: Spotify Infringement Form

• Apple Music / iTunes: Apple Legal Notices

• Amazon Music: Amazon Report Infringement

• YouTube / YouTube Music: YouTube Copyright Claim Portal

• SoundCloud: SoundCloud Copyright Report

• TikTok: TikTok Copyright Report

• Deezer: Deezer Copyright Portal

• TIDAL: TIDAL Support Request

• Beatport: Beatport IP Violation

• Twitch: Twitch DMCA Guidelines

• Pandora: Pandora DMCA Policy

• Napster: Napster Support Request

Platforms Requiring Email Inquiries

For services without a web form, send a formal DMCA takedown email to their copyright contact:

• Traxsource: copyright@traxsource.com

• Tencent Music (QQ Music): use the copyright complaint contact listed on the service's official legal or help pages.

What to Include in a Direct DMCA Notice Email

When sending an email takedown notice to a store or service, include the following standard details:

1. Full Legal Name & Title: Your name and your company/label name (if applicable).

2. Physical Mailing Address & Contact Details: Address, telephone number, and email address.

3. Identification of the Protected Work: Clarify whether the infringement involves a Sound Recording, Musical Composition, or Artwork, and provide links to your authentic original release.

4. Infringing Content Details: Direct DSP URLs (and ISRCs/UPCs, if visible) to the specific unauthorized tracks or releases.

5. Mandatory Legal Declarations:

   • "I hereby state that I have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law."

   • "I hereby state that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed."

6. Electronic Signature: Type your full legal name at the bottom of the notice.