Spotify Copyright Enforcement

Spotify Copyright Enforcement

I. How we protect our music on Spotify

Copyright Monitoring

• Monitor Spotify continuously for unauthorized uploads

• Use audio fingerprinting to detect copies, covers, and AI-generated versions

• Track metadata for suspicious artist names and track titles

• Collaborate with Spotify's Copyright team for rapid takedowns

• 300+ tracks actively monitored

• Weekly scans for new uploads matching our catalog

• Immediate action on detection

Distribution Control

• We use authorized distributors with verified copyright ownership

• All metadata properly registered

• ISRC codes and copyright information embedded

• Legal chain of custody documented

II. What happens when you upload infringing content

Detection & Takedown Process

• Audio analysis matches your upload to our copyrighted work

• Melodic similarity detected (covers, AI-generated copies)

• Metadata analysis (track titles, artist names, album info)

• Submit detailed evidence to Spotify

• Include audio fingerprints, spectral analysis, copyright registration

• Contact your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, etc.)

• Typical timeframe: 7-14 days

• Entire album may be removed if multiple tracks infringe

• Faster removal if distributor cooperates immediately

• Your distributor may suspend your account

• Prevents future uploads

• May withhold any earned royalties

• Demand letter for profit disgorgement

• Lawsuit for damages if non-compliant

• Criminal complaints for willful commercial infringement

III. Prohibited content on Spotify

• You used traditional mantra lyrics (public domain text ≠ public domain melody)

• You recorded it yourself (copying melody is still infringement)

• You changed the instrumentation (melody is what's protected)

• You credited us (attribution ≠ authorization)

• You're not monetizing directly (Spotify pays per stream = commercial use)

IV. Common Spotify infringement scenarios

Scenario 1: AI-Generated Upload

• You use AI (Suno, Udio, etc.) to generate track similar to Mahakatha composition

• Upload via distributor to Spotify

• We detect through audio analysis

• Track removed within 1-2 weeks

• Distributor account suspended

• Legal action initiated for damages

Scenario 2: "Cover" or "Version" Upload

• You record your own version of our composition

• Claim it's a "devotional cover" or "traditional mantra"

• We identify melodic copying

• Track removed

• Demand for profit disgorgement for all streams earned

Scenario 3: Compilation Album

• You create "Sacred Mantras" album including tracks that copy our compositions

• Distribute to Spotify

• We detect multiple infringements in single album

• Entire album removed

• Higher damages due to multiple works infringed

• Possible distributor ban

V. If your content is removed

Immediate Actions Required

• Confirmation that infringing tracks have been removed

• List of ALL tracks removed (not just the ones we reported)

• Commitment to not re-upload or distribute infringing content

• Explanation of how infringement occurred (if unintentional)

• Do not upload same content to different distributor

• Do not upload "modified" versions that still copy our work

• Do not upload to other platforms (we monitor everywhere)

• Respond to any questions from Spotify, distributor, or our legal team

• Provide documentation if claiming independent creation

• Demonstrate good faith

What NOT to Do

VI. Profit disgorgement

• Full accounting of streams and revenue earned

• Payment of all royalties earned from infringing content

• Additional damages for willful infringement

• Legal fees and costs

• 100,000 streams of infringing track = $300-500 owed to Mahakatha

• Plus statutory damages

• Plus legal fees

VII. How to use Mahakatha's music legally on Spotify

Option 1: Listen & Share

• Listen to our official releases

• Add to your personal playlists

• Share our tracks via Spotify's share function

• Follow our artist profile

Option 2: Request Distribution License

• Your artist name and label (if any)

• Specific tracks you wish to distribute

• Detailed explanation of your project

• Expected distribution territories

• Proposed revenue sharing or licensing fee

VIII. Reporting infringement to us

• Spotify track URL or URI

• Artist name and album name

• Description of how it infringes our work

• Any additional evidence (audio comparison, etc.)

IX. Distributor responsibility

• Verify copyright ownership before distribution

• Respond promptly to our infringement reports

• Suspend accounts of repeat infringers

• Do not enable systematic copyright infringement

X. Consequences of non-compliance

• Track removal from Spotify

• Album removal if multiple infringements

• Distributor account suspension or termination

• Blacklisting from future distribution

• Loss of all streaming revenue

• Civil lawsuit for copyright infringement

• Statutory damages: $750-$150,000 per work (U.S. law)

• Actual damages + profit disgorgement

• Attorney's fees and costs

• Criminal penalties under Indian law (6 months - 3 years imprisonment, ₹50,000-₹2,00,000 fine)

XI. Final notice

• Immediate removal

• Account termination

• Legal liability

• Financial damages

• Create genuinely original music

• Don't copy our melodies or compositions

• Don't use AI to replicate our work

• Don't distribute without authorization