What’s the Difference Between a Sync License and a Master License?
Every song has two “souls” legally. A Master License permits the use of the specific sound recording (the audio file), while a Sync License permits the use the underlying composition (the lyrics and melody). To place a song in a movie or TV show, the producer must obtain both. Audiobulb simplifies this by acting as […]
How Can I Get My Music Placed in TV Shows or Films?
To get your music placed in TV shows and films, you need more than just a great song—you need a “sync-ready” business. This means having high-quality WAV files, instrumental versions of every track, and “clean” metadata that explicitly lists your contact information and ownership details. Placements happen when you pitch these assets to music supervisors, […]
How Do I Add Songwriter Credits on Spotify or Apple Music?
You cannot add credits directly through Spotify for Artists or Apple Music for Artists. Credits are delivered as metadata by your music distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, etc.). To add them, you must enter the full legal names of all contributors into the “Songwriter” or “Composer” fields during the upload process. As of 2025, Spotify […]
How Do I Make Sure My Publishing Credits Show Up Correctly?
Credits on streaming platforms are pulled directly from the metadata you provide to your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, etc.) during the upload process. To ensure they show up correctly, you must use full legal names (not stage names) in the “Songwriter” and “Composer” fields. Once the song is live, Spotify and Apple Music “map” these names […]
How Do I Reclaim Rights to My Old Music?
Reclaiming your music depends on your location and the type of contract you signed. In the United States, Section 203 allows you to terminate a grant of rights after 35 years by filing a formal notice. In India, Section 19 of the Copyright Act states that if a publisher doesn’t use your music within one […]
Can a Publisher Own My Songs Forever?
In most cases, “forever” means the Life of the Copyright. In the US and UK, this is typically the life of the author plus 70 years (in India, it is life plus 60 years). While many traditional contracts grant rights “in perpetuity,” the law provides a “safety valve.” In the US, for example, you have […]
When is the Next PRS Royalty Payment?
PRS for Music pays its members through four main quarterly distributions in April, July, October, and December. However, as of August 2025, PRS has transitioned to a monthly payment schedule for multi-territory online streaming (MTOL), such as Spotify and YouTube. Most payments arrive on or near the 15th of the month, provided you have met […]
What Happens if Two People Upload the Same Song to Different Distributors?
The Bottom Line Up Front: When the same song is uploaded to different distributors, streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music use the ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) to identify the duplicate. If the ISRC is the same, the platforms will attempt to “link” the tracks to preserve play counts. However, if two different people […]
How Do I Handle Copyrights for Collaborations?
When two or more people create a song together with the intent to merge their work, it is legally considered a “Joint Work.” By default, in many jurisdictions (including the US), all collaborators own an equal share of the song—even if one person wrote 90% of it—unless there is a written agreement stating otherwise. To […]
Do I Need to Copyright My Beats Separately?
Yes. You should register your beats as soon as they are finished, even if there are no vocals on them yet. A beat is a “Musical Work” that carries its own value. Audiobulb is the perfect partner for producers because we allow you to register your instrumentals globally for $19.99/year, ensuring you are the “Publisher […]