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Artist F.A.Q

Can I sign up some, but not add every, song from my CD?

What IS a cover song?

A cover song is your recording of a song that you didn't write ... assuming that song had previously been released in the USA ... with consent of the copyright owner (the songwriter/publisher)
Examples: You recording your version of a Bob Dylan or Cole Porter song.
A song you have to pay the publisher (copyright owner) to create copies of.

What is NOT a cover song?

A song you wrote
A song you co-wrote with someone
A song someone gave you permission to record and release, but has *never* been recorded and released before.
An old song that is now in public domain (like classical music or songs before 1900)
An old traditional song (like Ave Maria or Amazing Grace)
A song you don't have to pay to create copies of.
NOTE: If it's a cover song, the PUBLISHER info is VERY important!

What do you mean “PUBLISHER”?

The publisher is the owner of the copyright to a song.
(The song, not the recording. Just the words and music. Melody, harmony, lyrics.)
If you or a songwriter you know has never signed away their publishing rights to a publishing deal, then the songwriter IS the publisher.
Don't get this word confused with a sheet music publisher or CD manufacturer. It has nothing to do with that. In this case “publisher” just means “copyright owner of the song itself”.

Why do you say ASCAP, BMI, or Harry Fox are not the Publisher?

ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, Harry Fox, SOCAN - are NOT publishers!
ASCAP, BMI and SESAC are three companies in America that collect the broadcast (“performing rights”) money for songwriters, so they can get paid for their music being used on radio and TV broadcasts.
We don't need to know if a song is ASCAP or BMI. They don't matter here.

How do I find the publisher?

It's usually listed in the album credits in the original (or cover) version of a song.
Example: go to "http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?mode=search" ascap.com and type “Purple Rain” (with NO quotes!) in the search box, change the check box to say “Titles”, and click [search]
In this case, the song “Purple Rain” has two co-publishers: Controversy Music c/o Universal Music Publishing Group - and W B Music Corp c/o Warner Bros Inc

Will you tell me when my music is up on their site?

Usually takes 5-10 Business days to get your music added to Unheardartist.com and Picktunes.com

How much do I get paid?

Can I release just a single into digital distribution?

Yes you may. There is still a set up fee of . You can have a whole album or just few tracks. We are not like other online Music stores.

Can you get me a record deal ?

We will be working with Record companies trying to get unsigned artist record deals.

I entered “none” or “unknown” for the composer or publisher, but you still won't take it!

If it's a old traditional song (say, over 100 years old), then you can put “traditional” as the composer, and “public domain” as the publisher. If it's NOT an old traditional song, but you just don't know who wrote it, well then you need to do more research! so You're not supposed to be recording and releasing someone else's song without paying the copyright owner of that song anyway, if you don't know who it is, you're probably breaking the copyright law, and we can't be putting that out into the lawyer-infested waters of digital distribution, until you do things correctly.

What about royalties?

As a Artist or label, you will receive the payment via check for yourself or If you are a label you will get a check for every artist in your label. If you are a Label/Record company you must have the right and permission from the artist to collect payment on their behalf and report to them accordingly with regards to your agreement. Unheardartist.com does not collect or pay mechanical royalties; therefore it is the Label's sole responsibility to comply with any publishing agreements and US Copyright Law.