All You Need to Know About Music Distribution
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In Vietnam and around the world, there have been many controversies surrounding music copyright disputes between artists, musicians, and record labels. Therefore, before distributing and releasing music, artists need to have a clear understanding of the information and knowledge about this activity to best protect their own rights. In this article, TUBRR will take you through everything you need to know about music distribution from A to Z!
I. Music Distribution
1. Definition
Music distribution is the process by which artists, musicians, and record labels bring their music to the public on streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc., as well as on physical products (CDs, vinyl records).
While SoundCloud allows anyone to easily upload music, Spotify, Apple Music, and all other legal music release platforms do not allow artists to upload music directly. Instead, they must go through a third party, which is a music distributor or music distribution service. This is to ensure that all music before reaching the public is processed through a common format system, clearly and consistently labeled with authors, copyrights, etc.
2. Music Distribution vs. Music Publishing
Many people often confuse the two concepts of "Music Distribution" and "Music Publishing." In fact, these are two different definitions with their own purposes and audiences:
Criteria | Music Distribution | Music Publishing |
Definition | The process of bringing music to the public on streaming services and physical products | The process of releasing musical compositions to the public and generating revenue |
Audience | Artists, musicians, record labels | Musicians |
Purpose | Allowing people to listen to music | Generating revenue from musical compositions |
Method | Through a distributor (distribution service) | Through a music publishing |
Form | Audio | Audio and copyright |
Product | Song, album | Musical composition |
Revenue | Streaming fees, disc sales | Copyright fees |
Example | Providing music on Spotify | Registering a copyright for a song |
Note:
- Some music distributors also offer music publishing services.
- Musicians can self-publish their music without going through a music publishing company.
II. Music Copyright
1. Types of Music Copyright
In Vietnam, according to the Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law, there are two main types of music copyright as follows:
Criteria | Author's Right | Related Rights to Author's Right |
Concept | The right of an organization or individual to a work that they have created or owned. | The right of an organization or individual to a performance, sound recording, video recording, broadcast program, or satellite signal carrying an encoded program. |
Subjects | - The person who directly created the work (author); - Author of a derivative work. - Owner of copyright. | - Performers, singers, musicians, dancers and others who perform literary and artistic works (performers). - The organization or individual that owns the performance. - The organization or individual that first fixes the sound and image of a performance or other sounds and images (record producer, videogram producer). - The organization that initiates and carries out the broadcast (broadcasting organization). |
Protected Subject | Melody, rhythm and lyrics of the song. | - Performance; - Sound recording, video recording; - Broadcast program, satellite signal carrying an encoded program |
Content of Rights | - Personal rights: To name the work; to put one's real name or pseudonym on the work; to be named by one's real name or pseudonym when the work is published, used;... - Property rights : To make a derivative work; to perform the work in public; to distribute, import the original or copies of the work; to rent the original or copies of the cinematographic work,... | - Personal rights of the performer: To be introduced by name when performing, when releasing sound recordings, video recordings, broadcasting performances; to protect the integrity of the performance image, not allowing others to edit, cut or distort in any way that harms the honor and reputation of the performer. - Property rights, including the exclusive right to perform or allow others to perform the rights: To fix one's live performance on sound recording, video recording; to copy |
2. Important Royalties
Copyright fees are the payments that artists, musicians, or music producers receive when their musical works are used and broadcasted. There are four common types of copyright fees in the modern music industry, including:
- Mechanical Royalties: Paid when an original version of a song is copied and distributed in formats like CDs, vinyl, or downloads, and artists receive a fee for each copy sold.
- Performance Royalties: Paid when a song is broadcasted on radio, television, or in public performances. Organizations like VCPMC are responsible for collecting and distributing these payments to artists and musicians.
- Sync Licensing Royalties: Paid when a song is used in television, film, video games, or advertisements, and artists may receive a licensing fee.
- Streaming Royalties: Paid when a song is streamed on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music, and artists and musicians receive a fee based on the number of song plays.
III. Music Distribution Services
1. Role of Music Distribution Services for Artists
As mentioned in the definition of music distribution above, artists cannot directly upload their music to each online music listening platform (except SoundCloud and YouTube) due to the complex activities related to copyright, release data, etc.
Therefore, music distribution companies and services were born and act as a giant music storage intermediary (about song name, cover image, musician, owner, etc.). All are statistically based on a unified metadata basis. This means that when you go through these music distribution services, you only need to upload a single release and it will be automatically sent to all major and minor broadcasting platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, etc.
In addition, music distribution services also act as a bridge for royalty payments between artists and online music streaming platforms.
2. Cost of Music Distribution Services
The cost of music distribution services will depend on the terms and agreements between the artist and the cooperating company. This number can range from 50% to 80% of revenue on digital music platforms.
At TUBRR, we provide comprehensive music distribution services on major national and international digital music platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, NCT, Soundcloud, Zing MP3, TikTok, YouTube Music, and more than 30 other platforms. Additionally, artists will have a branded channel (with the artist badge if they meet the criteria), create smartlinks, and copyright protection.
If you need assistance with music distribution services, don't hesitate to contact TUBRR: HERE
TUBRR supports creators in spreading value
As a reputable MCN brand with 10 years of development in the Czech Republic market, recognized as a trusted YouTube business partner, TUBRR - a multi-channel network and a strategic partner of WOA Media - confidently positions itself as the MCN with the deepest understanding of YouTube in Vietnam.
Proud to be one of the first complete MCNs in Vietnam, TUBRR ensures the provision of a variety of high-quality professional services for creators, including:
- Creator management
- Channel support and development
- Providing a diverse range of free music and creative content libraries
- Licensing characters
- Offering premium workshops to share knowledge about production and business activities on the YouTube platform.
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