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Music Rights

Making the complicated details of music rights easier to understand for independent musicians. Make sense of important issues like copyright law and music royalties.

Music Rights

Get your songwriting splits right, or you might not get paid at all

Why accurate songwriting splits are crucial when paying music publishing royalties. Our friends at ASCAP just made a fun little animated video that explains why it’s so important to get … Continue reading →

August 31, 2018
Worldwide Music Publishing Administration expands to 22 new countries
Music Rights

CD Baby Publishing reaches 1,000,000 songs!

We’re now helping 160,000 songwriters in over 50 countries collect all the publishing royalties they’re owed worldwide. CD Baby Publishing reached a big milestone recently: ONE MILLION SONGS. That’s how … Continue reading →

August 22, 2018
YouTube Content ID song qualifications
Music Rights

What are all these different YouTubes (and is my music earning money there)?

A breakdown of the various YouTube brands and properties. YouTube has launched (and re-launched) several similar-sounding products over the years, so here’s a quick breakdown of those different services, what … Continue reading →

July 30, 2018
Publishing credit for producers and beatmakers?
Music Rights

Should My Producer Get Publishing and Songwriting Credit?

If you create original music and haven’t signed your publishing rights away, YOU are your own publisher and YOU own your publishing. You are owed publishing royalties for the usage … Continue reading →

July 11, 2018
who owns your publishing rights, and how are they split?
Music Rights

Publishing Rights: How Do They Get Split?

If you’re a songwriter, a composer, a lyricist, or anyone else who creates original music, and you’ve not signed a deal with a music publishing company — YOU own your … Continue reading →

July 10, 2018
When two bands have similar names: Trademark 101 for musicians
Music Rights

Music trademarks: Choosing your unique artist name

Trademark Woes: When two bands have the same name!!!!! [This article was written by Katelyn Kindberg. It should not be taken as legal advice. For help with your trademark concerns, … Continue reading →

June 18, 2018
Facebook music monetization for indie artists: What you need to know
Music Rights

How to make money from your music on Facebook

NOTE: The CD Baby Pro Publishing service was discontinued as of August 8th, 2023. Any paid release which was signed up for CD Baby Pro Publishing prior to August 8th, … Continue reading →

May 1, 2018
YouTube Content ID song qualifications
Music Rights

What kind of songs don’t qualify for YouTube Content ID?

Some audio is not eligible for monetization via Content ID on YouTube. What is Content ID? In short: Content ID — as it pertains to most musicians and labels — … Continue reading →

April 5, 2018
Is there an age restriction for US copyright?
Music Rights

How old do you have to be to copyright your music?

The age limit for copyright. Is there an age requirement to copyright something in the USA?  No, there is no age requirement. But, there is a classic American Dilemma here: … Continue reading →

April 4, 2018
YouTube monetization and optimization for musicians
Music Rights

The keys to earning money through YouTube’s Partner Program

It’s been a while since YouTube changed its rules for channel monetization. To earn ad revenue through the Partner Program, your channel now needs at least 1000 subscribers and 4000+ … Continue reading →

March 21, 2018

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