Not all sound recordings are appropriate for distribution to DSPs that contain user generated content (UGC):

  • Facebook Audio Library & Rights Manager (which includes Instagram)
  • Lickd
  • Snap
  • TikTok
  • YouTube Content ID


The reason is that those DSP use the sound recording that you distribute to them to identify all matching sound recordings across their UGC content. So if your sound recording is not fully original or exclusively owned by you, distributing to those DSPs will cause you to claim content which is not yours to claim.


IMPORTANT - COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS: 

  1. These requirements apply regardless of the Monetization Policy you select for these DSPs. Even if you select the "No TikTok Scanning" policy, for example.
  2. These requirements apply to both Facebook services — Audio Library is not exempt.
  3. Distribution of inappropriate content to UGC DSPs is considered a significant violation that will result in a Warning, and potentially restrict your distribution to these DSPs.



QUICK WAYS TO IDENTIFY IF A RECORDING IS AUTHORIZED FOR UGC DSPs

  1. Generally speaking, you can ask yourself the following question to determine if your recording is appropriate for the UGC DSPs: "Does this recording sound similar enough to another recording — either in part, or in full?" If the answer is "yes, it is not unique/distinct enough", then you should NOT distribute it to a UGC DSP.
  2. If the Track Origin and the Track Properties fields have been truthfully and comprehensively filled out, you can also refer to this article to identify which sound recordings are appropriate for UGC DSPs.


Although the above methods are helpful rules of thumb, this doesn't mean that you should not read and fully assimilate the more detailed guidelines below.



EXAMPLES OF RECORDINGS WHICH ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR UGC DSPs


  1. Recording for which you do not have exclusive rights. 

    Examples:
    • Any content licensed from a third party (example: beats, samples, loops) — unless you have obtained an exclusive license, which is very rare.
    • Public domain content.
    • Drum loops or samples from sample packs or music creation software.
    • Production music.
    • Video gameplay footage.
    • Music generated through artificial intelligence (AI) where the AI engine has not disclosed their dataset in order to guarantee that it is not making use of 3rd party copyrighted content. At the time of this writing, this would disqualify services such as Suno, Udio, Mureka, etc. The only services known to use licensed datasets, or original music creation technology are hitcraft.ai and beatoven.ai.

  2. Recordings that are not sonically distinct from other recordings.

    Examples:
    • "Soundalike" covers or remixes: any recording which can be confused for the original. 
    • Derivative versions or remixes that closely resemble the original.
    • Classical music.
    • Religious music susceptible to sound like many other recordings.
    • Generic meditation, yoga or ambient music.
    • Karaoke or lofi versions.
    • Instrumental or "beat" versions.
    • A sped up, slowed down or any other pitch shifted version.
    • Remasters.
    • Medleys or mashups.
    • DJ set, a continuous mix, or other similar compilations.
    • Shortened/extended versions.
    • Live versions that are not significantly different from the master version.

  3. Any recording that is not a musical recording. 

    Examples:
    • prayer recordings
    • comedy recordings
    • speeches
    • audiobooks
    • podcasts
    • Generic/common sounds like audience applause, white noise, street noise, or simple drum loops. 
    • Nature recordings (rain, birds, water…) since all of those will sound too much like other recordings.
    • Sound effects.



HOW TO MAKE YOUR MUSIC AVAILABLE ON UGC DSPs EVEN IF IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THEM


The good news is that you can still get your music discovered and used on UGC DSPs even if it is not appropriate for distribution to them. The proper process is to upload your music inside a video directly through your account on that DSP's public website/app (or have your artist's upload directly through their account on that DSP's public website/app). Just make sure to properly label your video and audio with the artist name(s) and track title so that it can easily be found and used by others.