GUIDE RELEASING LAST UPDATED — CONTENT SLOT

How to copyright your music

A practical walkthrough of a first release — from the master file on your desktop to a live release everywhere. Written for artists who have never distributed before; no jargon left unexplained.

01

Prepare your master

Export the final mix as an uncompressed WAV — 24-bit / 48kHz is the delivery standard. Listen to the whole file once, start to finish, on headphones and on a phone speaker. Check the start and end for clicks, and leave no accidental silence at either end.

Uncompressed WAV, 24-bit / 48kHz
Full listen-through on two devices
No clipping, clicks or trailing silence
02

Artwork that passes review

Artwork requirements vary by destination. Confirm the current file, colour, text and logo rules before delivery.

3000×3000 px, RGB
Readable at thumbnail size
No platform logos, handles or URLs
03

Metadata & codes

Metadata is how the world finds you: artist name spelled exactly the same way every release, the real title with no decoration, the correct language and genre tags. Identifier codes — ISRC for the recording, UPC for the release — are assigned during onboarding; you do not need to buy them anywhere.

✦ Spelling drift is the most common first-release mistake — “Human decision”, “LaylaNoor” and “Layla N.” become three different artists in the stores.
04

Choose your release date

Give yourself runway. A date several weeks out leaves room for review, delivery and pitching before day one. Align the date with anything you control — a video, a show, a post series — so the release lands with support rather than alone.

05

Apply for your invite

Mazufa is invite-only. Complete applications enter a human-review queue subject to capacity. Submitting never creates an account; approved applicants may receive a private onboarding invitation.

06

After approval

Once onboarded, an eligible release is prepared to current destination specifications. Available reporting depends on platform data and account access.

TERMS USED IN THIS GUIDE
ISRC

An ISRC identifies a recording; reporting and royalty coverage depend on each platform and agreement.

UPC

The barcode of your release — one per single, EP or album.

DSP

Digital Service Provider — a music service such as Spotify, Apple Music or Anghami, subject to current availability.

PAGE CONTENT
Home Copyright Your Music

Good news: your song is protected by copyright automatically the moment you record it in a fixed form - you don't have to register to own it. Here's how music copyright works, when registering helps, and how releasing keeps you the Ownership under the applicable agreement. This is general information, not legal advice.

The basics

Copyright is automatic

In most countries, copyright exists the instant your work is recorded in a tangible form - a saved audio file counts. You don't need to file anything to own your song. There are typically two copyrights in a track: the composition (the song - melody and lyrics) and the sound recording (your specific recording, tied to its ISRC). You own both unless you sign them away.

Registration & distribution

When registering helps, and what a distributor does

Registering with your national copyright office is optional, but it creates a public record and can strengthen your ability to enforce your rights if there's ever a dispute. Separately, a distributor does not take your copyright - unlike some label deals, releasing through Mazufa leaves you owning royalty treatment under the applicable agreement for your masters and composition. See do you keep your rights with a distributor. For anything specific to your situation, consult a qualified attorney - this page is general information only.

Questions

Frequently asked

Do I need to register my music to copyright it?

In most countries, no - copyright is automatic once your song is recorded in a fixed form. Registration is optional and mainly strengthens your ability to enforce your rights.

What are the two copyrights in a song?

The composition (the underlying song - melody and lyrics) and the sound recording (your specific recorded version). You can own both.

Does a distributor own my copyright?

No. A distributor only delivers your music to stores. With Mazufa you retain ownership and royalty treatment subject to the applicable agreement of both your recording and your composition.

Does releasing my song affect my copyright?

No. Distributing your music doesn't transfer any rights. You remain the owner and receive royalties under the applicable plan and agreement.

Is this legal advice?

No - this is general information. Copyright rules vary by country, so for your specific situation consult a qualified attorney or your national copyright office.

Start now

Release and retain ownership and royalty treatment subject to the applicable agreement.

Review the current plan and applicable agreement. Subject to eligibility and platform review.

Your first single starts here

One invite application, reviewed by a human. Bring the master, the artwork and the story.

Apply for Invite ♪