What is a “Work for Hire” in Music Publishing?
A “Work for Hire” (or Work Made for Hire) is a legal term where the person who creates the music does not own the copyright. Instead, the person or company who paid for the work is considered the legal “author” and owner from day one. In this scenario, the creator usually receives a one-time flat […]
What’s the Difference Between Copyright and Publishing Registration?
Copyright registration (with the USCO or DPIIT) is for Legal Protection, it proves you own the work so you can sue if someone steals it. Publishing Registration (with PROs like ASCAP, BMI, or IPRS) is for Getting Paid—it ensures you receive royalties when your song is played. Audiobulb handles your publishing administration for $19.99/year, ensuring […]
How Do I Register My Songs for Copyright in the US, UK, and India?
In the US and India, official government registration is required for full legal protection and the right to sue for damages. In the UK, there is no central government registry, so “proof of creation” is key. Audiobulb works with you regardless of your location, providing the global administration and usage tracking you need for just […]
Can Someone Steal My Song If I Send It to Them Without Registering?
Legally, no, your song is “copyrighted” the moment you record it. However, if you haven’t formally registered it, you lack the legal “teeth” to sue for big money. Audiobulb provides a critical middle ground: we use active usage tracking to monitor the web for your music, acting as a digital security system that catches unauthorized […]
Should I Register My Copyright Before Sending Songs to a Publisher?
Technically, you own the copyright the moment you “fix” your song in a tangible form (a voice memo or a DAW file). However, formal registration with the Copyright Office of your country is the only way to sue for infringement. While many publishers claim they “handle this for you,” they often use it as a […]
What Should I Look for in a Publishing Contract?
Most traditional publishing deals are “Rights Grabs” disguised as opportunities. They want your ownership, a massive cut of your money, and control over your music for decades. Audiobulb flips this model: you keep 100% ownership, pay a flat $19.99/year fee, and we provide active tracking to protect your work from unauthorized use. 1. The “Rights […]
Can I Have Multiple Publishers for Different Songs?
While you might think having multiple publishers increases your chances of success, it often does the opposite by creating metadata conflicts and “frozen” royalties. To provide the best protection and collection, Audiobulb only signs exclusive administration contracts. This allows us to manage your entire catalog with “One Voice,” ensuring every stream is tracked and every […]
Should I Sign with a Big Publisher or a Small Independent One?
Big publishers offer prestige and advances, but they take a massive cut of your ownership (usually 50% of the publisher’s share) and often ignore smaller artists on their massive rosters. Audiobulb is a new breed of independent publisher that lets you keep 100% of your royalties for a flat fee of $19.99/year, while providing active […]
What Happens When My Publishing Deal Expires?
When your deal “expires,” it usually only means the Term has ended—the publisher can no longer claim your new songs. However, they likely still have rights to your old songs for a Retention Period, and they will continue to collect royalties for a Post-Term Collection Period (often 6–18 months) to account for accounting delays. At […]
Can I Terminate a Publishing Deal Early?
Terminating a deal early depends entirely on the “Termination Clause” in your contract. For Administration Deals (like Audiobulb), termination is usually simple with a 30–90 day notice. For Traditional/Co-Publishing Deals, early termination is extremely difficult unless the publisher has breached the contract (e.g., failed to pay you) or you have reached a specific “recoupment” or […]