Content Rules & Restrictions

Digital Service Providers have strict rules about the types of content they will allow. Here are some guidelines that you as an artist or label need to follow in order to be compliance with our service and with the DSPs

Copyright Notice

DPM Network Music Distribution RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT CONTENT AND REQUIRE LICENSE INFORMATION FOR ANY CONTENT THAT IS UPLOADED TO ITS PLATFORM.

UGC Prohibited Content

The following applies ONLY to User Generated Content (UGC) DSPs. Please note, other DSPs may impose these restrictions ad-hoc, without warning.

User Generated Content has rules that are enforced by Youtube Content ID, Soundcloud, TikTok, Facebook (META), and other fingerprint-based services.

We cannot upload the following content types to UGC / fingerprint-based services:

• files containing watermarks

• remixes

• creative commons

• samples

• any 3rd party content

• nature sounds

• sound effects

• sound-alikes

• karaoke recordings

• audiobooks

• drum loops

• film scores

• meditation, yoga, or sleep music

• DJ set or continuous mixes

• production loops / soundbeds

• soundscapes

• podcasts

• spoken word

• any beats that are licensed and unlicensed (all beats must be originally composed)

• tracks produced for other artists (you must own the master and/or publishing)

• classical music recordings of compositions in the public domain

Additional UGC-restricted content which is unlikely to be music content include, but is not limited to:

• spoken word recordings

• comedy recordings

• film recordings (that are not the musical score of a film)

• speeches

• prayer recordings

• audiobooks

• podcasts

• nature or wildlife recordings

• ambient sound recordings

• recordings or descriptions of sexual acts

Additionally, proof of original composition, ownership or master recording, or publishing rights may be required for all music or beats.

Allowed Content and Exceptions

Remixes

Remixes are generally allowed for all platforms which do not rely on fingerprint services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Beatport, and YouTube Music.

However, if you attempt to deliver a remix to DSPs, you must provide a license.

Spoken Word

Spoken word is accepted on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

However, spoken word is not accepted on UGC or fingerprinting-type services such as YouTube Content ID, Facebook/Instagram Library, TikTok, etc.

Non-music content

Non-music content is accepted and encouraged on DPM Network Music Distribution, and is also deliverable to Spotify, Apple Music, etc; however, some DSPs do not accept this type of content.

We may automatically reject deliveries of non-music content to the services that do not support it.

Metadata Restrictions

Advertising. Metadata, audio, and cover art must not contain advertising. For example, metadata must not contain references to competitors of Apple Music or iTunes, nor to any URLs, logos, or dates for future product releases. Search terms and keywords must not be included in metadata or cover art.

Emoji. Do not use emoji in titles, artist names, lyrics, or other metadata.