Protect your Music
Legally in 2026
Before any release, any send-off to a label or any campaign, promotion, protecting your music a timestamped proof of authorship is essential. This guide explains the solutions, their differences, and how to proceed in 2 minutes.
Why protect your music before distributing it
Under French law, a musical work is protected from the moment of its creation—without any formality. However, without a dated proof, you cannot prove that you are the original author in the event of a dispute. This is where protection becomes critical.
Proof in case of plagiarism
If someone claims authorship of your music, you need to prove that you created it before them. A timestamped deposit is the strongest legal proof for this. protecting your music in case of dispute.
Before sending to a label
Sending a track to a label or A&R without proof of authorship is risky. Protect your music before any sharing with a professional creates an indisputable dated legal trace.
Before music promotion
Beforesending your music to the mediaIn a promotional campaign with radios and curators, protecting your track ensures peace of mind and legal security.
In case of collaboration
Working with a beatmaker, co-writer, or producer raises ownership questions. Protect your music submitting source files before the collaboration documents your initial contribution.
For SACEM rights
SACEM collects and distributes royalties — but in case of a dispute over authorship, an additional timestamped proof significantly strengthens your case for protect your music.
International protection
Tezos blockchain is accessible and verifiable worldwide. If your music is played internationally, your proof of authorship for protect your music remains valid in all countries.
The fundamental rule: protecting your music does not mean that without submission you have no rights — in France, rights exist from the moment of creation. But without dated proof, you cannot effectively assert them in court. Submission creates proof that you were there first.
How to protect your music: legal mechanisms
Protect your music relies on a simple principle: creating evidence that you are the author of a work on a specific date, before any possible disputes.
Automatic protection under French law
In France, a musical work is automatically protected by copyright from the moment of creation — with no formalities or mandatory submission. But this protection is theoretical: without dated proof, you cannot demonstrate authorship of your music in case of a dispute.
Proof of authorship — the missing link
Proof of authorship shows that you created the work on a specific date, before any other claims. This is what the TuneLockr timestamped submission, Soleau envelope, and SACEM filing create — three different ways of protecting your music with dated proof.
Timestamped filing — the modern solution
TuneLockr creates a cryptographic fingerprint of your audio file and records it on the Tezos blockchain—an immutable and timestamped trace. In 2 minutes, you receive a legally recognised PDF certificate for protect your music.
SACEM — for exploitation rights
SACEM manages your copyright when commercially exploited—every broadcast radiostream, or live performance generates royalties collected and redistributed. SACEM does not create proof of authorship—it manages exploitation rights. The two processes for protecting your music are complementary.
TuneLockr: protect your music in 2 minutes
TuneLockr is the fastest and cheapest solution for protecting your music with legally recognised proof of authorship. First deposit offered via Beathoven.
What TuneLockr protects
- Audio files — WAV, MP3, FLAC, AIFF
- Lyrics — text file, PDF
- Sheet music — PDF, image
- DAW projects — complete project ZIP files
- Drafts — working versions, demos
- Beats — stems, loops, original samples
- Covers — visuals, artwork
How it works
Create an account on TuneLockr.com
Upload your audio file or lyrics
The cryptographic fingerprint is recorded on the Tezos blockchain
Receive your timestamped PDF certificate—immediate legal proof
First deposit offered: via Beathoven, your first TuneLockr deposit is free—no credit card required. → Protect my music for free
Comparison of solutions to protect your music
There are several ways to protecting your music legally. Here is an honest comparison of the main solutions available in France.
| Solution | Type of protection | Deadline | Cost | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TuneLockr | Proof of authorship—blockchain | Immediate—2 minutes | First free, then €4.90 per deposit | Not all artists — before each release |
| SACEM | Copyright management + royalties | Processing in a few weeks | Free at registration + % royalties | Commercial exploitation, neighbouring rights |
| Soleau envelope (INPI) | Proof of authorship—paper | 15 working days | €15 per envelope | Traditional administrative complement |
| Notary deposit | Very robust legal proof | By appointment | €100-€300 depending on notary | Works with very high commercial value |
| Email to oneself | No real legal value | Immediate | Free | Not recommended — no probative value |
The recommended combination to fully protect your music: TuneLockr (immediate proof of authorship before any release) + SACEM (management of exploitation rights and royalties collection). Both are complementary and not interchangeable.
When to Protect Your Music: Key Moments
✅ File before you:
- Send your music to a label or A&R
- Submit to a music competition
- Send to media, radio, curators
- Share with a co-writer or beatmaker
- Publish on social media
- Distribute via DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby
- Launch a campaign to music promotion
📋 What to File
- The finalised audio file — master WAV version
- The lyrics — in a text file or PDF
- The DAW project — for producers and beatmakers
- Work demos — to document the creative process
- The artwork — if already created
Tip: file multiple versions — demo + final version. This documents the creative evolution and strengthens authorship proof for protect your music.
Mistakes That Leave Your Music Unprotected
❌ Emailing yourself
The "email yourself" is one of the most widespread myths. It has no proven legal value and is not an acceptable proof of authorship for protecting your music in court.
❌ Waiting for the official release
The risk window is before release — when you send the music to third parties. File before any sharing to protect your music as soon as the creation is finalised.
❌ Believing that SACEM protects authorship
SACEM manages exploitation rights — it doesn't create a timestamped proof of authorship. To protecting your music against ownership disputes, a TuneLockr filing is necessary in addition.
❌ Not filing lyrics separately
Lyrics are a literary work distinct from the audio track. To protecting your music fully, file the lyrics in a separate file in addition to the audio file.
🔐 Protect your music now — first filing free.
TuneLockr creates a timestamped proof of authorship in 2 minutes. Tezos blockchain, legally recognised PDF certificate. The first deposit is free through Beathoven — no credit card required.
FAQ — Protecting your music
Yes — protecting your music before sending it to a label is highly recommended. A TuneLockr timestamped deposit creates a dated proof of authorship before any sharing. This proof can be used in case of a dispute over ownership. The deposit takes 2 minutes — the first one is free via Beathoven.
TuneLockr creates immediate timestamped proof of authorship — it's protection before release. SACEM manages copyrights and collects royalties for each broadcast. To protecting your music fully protect: TuneLockr for proof of creation, SACEM for exploitation rights. Both are necessary.
Under French law, a work is protected from creation — without formalities. But without dated proof, you cannot demonstrate you are the original author in case of a dispute. This is what the TuneLockr timestamped deposit allows: creating undeniable proof for protect your music. See Intellectual Property Code.
The first TuneLockr deposit is free via Beathoven — no credit card needed. Subsequent deposits start at €4.90 per work. Packs are available for active artists. It's one of the most affordable solutions for protecting your music legally.
Resources to promote and protect your music
Once your music is protected, boost its visibility with these guides.
Promote your music
10 complete levers 2026.
Read →360° music promotion
Radio, press, playlists, digital.
Discover →Send your music to the media
Method and tools 2026.
Read →Music distributor
DistroKid, TuneCore, iMusician.
Compare →Release a single
Checklist + schedule from D-30 to D+30.
Read →Pitch your music on Spotify
Complete Spotify for Artists guide.
Read →Find a music label
How to approach labels.
Read →Free Beathoven analysis
Let's discuss your project.
Get started →Official links: TuneLockr · SACEM · INPI (Soleau envelope) · CNM · Intellectual Property Code
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