At Unchained Music, our mission is to create a platform that liberates independent artists, ensures transparency, and fosters an ecosystem built on genuine creativity and ownership. As the music industry evolves, particularly with the rise of AI-generated content and algorithm-driven discovery, maintaining the integrity of our catalog and surfacing artists that are making great work is more critical than ever.
The purpose of this Content Policy is threefold:
Protect Real Artists:
We are committed to ensuring that artists who invest time, skill, and originality into their work are not overshadowed by mass-produced or exploitative content.
Maintain Catalog Integrity:
By enforcing clear standards, we safeguard the quality, originality, and authenticity of the music distributed through Unchained Music.
Ensure Compliance with DSPs and Rights-Holders:
We align our platform policies with the requirements and best practices of major digital service providers (DSPs) and copyright rights-holders to prevent takedowns, disputes, and account penalties.This policy is meant as a guideline. Unchained Music reserves all rights to update, modify, or enforce policies in addition to this Content Policy at any time.
Our Vision
We believe in a future of music where:
Real creativity is rewarded and celebrated, not drowned out by mass-generated or exploitative content.
Artistic integrity is defended, protecting artists’ rights and ensuring a genuine connection of artists with their fans.
Platforms work for artists, who offer fair access to global audiences.
Unchained Music is not simply a tool for distribution; it is an ecosystem intentionally designed to uplift those who create with purpose, vision, and originality. Our policies are not barriers — they are the framework that ensures your art has the best opportunity to be heard, valued, and respected in a rapidly changing industry.
2.1 Accepted Audio
To maintain the integrity and quality of the Unchained Music catalog, all audio submissions must adhere to the following standards:
Formats:
Accepted file types are WAV or FLAC only.
Sample rates must be 44.1kHz or 48kHz for 16-bit files, or 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, or 192kHz for 24-bit files.
Bit depths must be either 16-bit or 24-bit.
Audio must be delivered in stereo format; mono recordings are not accepted.
Sound Quality:
Audio must be clean, professionally mixed and mastered to an acceptable industry standard.
Submissions must be free from audible distortion, clipping, excessive background noise, or poor mastering artifacts.
Tracks must start and end smoothly without abrupt cuts or silence beyond reasonable artistic intent.
Originality:
All audio must reflect genuine human creative input.
Submissions must demonstrate musical intent, including structure, composition, and acceptable performance quality.
Functional, repetitive, or loop-only content designed solely for passive listening is not acceptable unless part of a broader artistic project and is approved on a case-by-case basis.
Explicit Content:
Tracks containing explicit language, themes, or content must be properly flagged as “Explicit” during submission.
Failure to accurately flag explicit material may result in takedowns, distribution delays, or penalties.
2.2 Rejected Audio
The following types of audio submissions will be rejected without exception and may lead to a termination of your account:
Mass-Produced Generic Content:
Submissions consisting of royalty-farmed ambient noise, non-musical white noise, or other purely functional, repetitive loops that lack creative merit.
Unauthorized Derivative Works:
Mashups, remixes, or edits, including sped-up or slowed-down versions of existing recordings, submitted without the appropriate master, mechanical, and derivative work licenses.
Non-Compliant AI-Generated Content:
Tracks created entirely by AI tools without meaningful human creative involvement, or submissions where the ownership and training data of the AI model cannot be clearly verified.
Technical Quality Failures:
Audio files that are silent, glitched, heavily distorted, or demonstrate poor production quality such that they detract from the listener experience.
3.1 Accepted Metadata
To ensure discoverability, authenticity, and compliance with platform standards, all metadata submitted through Unchained Music must meet the following criteria:
Titles:
Titles must accurately reflect the actual content of the release. Titles should be concise, relevant, and free of unnecessary descriptors such as file types (e.g., "WAV," "MP3") or quality indicators ("Lossless," "HD Audio").
Artist Names:
Artist names must be unique, distinct, and human-readable. Names should represent a legitimate creative identity and must not be composed solely of descriptive, functional, or SEO-targeted language. Artist names must not impersonate, mimic, or closely resemble the names of famous artists, bands, or entities.
Attribution:
Metadata must include accurate attribution for all contributors, including featured artists, remixers, producers, and co-writers. If AI tools were utilized in the creative process, the AI model must be credited appropriately (e.g., listed as a composer, lyricist, or producer where applicable).
3.2 Rejected Metadata
The following types of metadata will result in rejection of the release without the opportunity to edit, and may lead to a warning or the termination of your account if you fail to address them:
SEO-Driven or Generic Titles:
Titles that are clearly designed to manipulate search algorithms rather than reflect the music, such as "Track 001," "Lo-Fi Beats," "Sleep Music," or similar generic phrases.
Generic or Misleading Artist Names:
Artist names that are generic or purely descriptive (e.g., "Study Vibes," "Focus Sounds," "Pop Hits"). Artist names that impersonate or closely resemble well-known artists, bands, or entities, regardless of slight spelling variations.
Deceptive Metadata Practices:
Metadata that is intended to mislead listeners into believing the work is associated with, endorsed by, or created by another well-known artist.Metadata that inaccurately credits collaborations, remixes, or derivative works without the appropriate licensing or permissions.
4.1 Accepted Cover Art
Cover art is an essential part of a release’s identity and must meet the following standards to be eligible for distribution through Unchained Music:
Originality and Relevance:
Cover art must be original and uniquely created for the release.The artwork must reflect the artist, title, or theme of the release and may not consist of unrelated or irrelevant imagery.You must have the permission to use all logos, brands, or copyrighted/trademarked materials present on the cover art.
Technical Quality:
Minimum resolution: 3000 x 3000 pixels.Aspect ratio must be 1:1 (square).Cover art must be clear, high-resolution, and free of blurriness, pixelation, or solid-color padding or borders.
AI-Generated Artwork:
AI-generated cover art is permitted only if the artist can provide proof of rights to both the AI tool and the resulting output.Human creative input is required. Fully AI-generated images without artist involvement are not acceptable.Models used must be trained on ethically sourced data; otherwise, the cover art will be rejected.
4.2 Rejected Cover Art
The following types of cover art will be rejected:
Template or Low-Effort Designs:
Covers created using publicly available templates, default design tools, or low-quality, repeated layouts.
Copyrighted or Unauthorized Content:
Artwork containing copyrighted logos, brand names, celebrity likenesses, recognizable characters, or trademarked elements without appropriate licensing.Use of stock photos without a valid commercial license.
Promotional Material:
Cover art containing QR codes, social media handles, URLs, pricing information, promotional slogans, or any content intended to direct users off-platform.
Parental Advisory Misuse:
Covers displaying a Parental Advisory label without corresponding explicit content flagged within the release metadata.
To ensure compliance with copyright law and DSP licensing obligations, Unchained Music requires specific documentation for any content involving third-party materials, derivative works, AI tools, or licensed beats. Documentation must be clear, valid, and submitted during the release process when applicable.
Cover Songs
A valid mechanical license is required for all cover songs, regardless of whether the release is limited to streaming platforms.This license must grant the artist the right to distribute and monetize the cover.Unchained Music recommends using Easy Song Licensing or another recognized licensing partner to obtain proper coverage.
Mashups and Remixes
Submissions that are mashups, remixes, or other derivative works must include all of the following:Master License:Grants the right to use the original sound recording.Derivative Work License:
Authorizes changes, rearrangements, or re-interpretations of the original work.Mechanical License:Covers the underlying musical composition rights.Without clear proof of all required licenses, mashups and remixes will be rejected and your account will be flagged for copyright infringement.
AI-Generated Content
Artists submitting AI-generated content must provide:
Proof of rights to the generated recordings.
Documentation from the AI platform confirming commercial use rights.Evidence that the AI model used was trained on transparent, properly licensed datasets (e.g., Hitcraft.ai, Beatoven.ai). AI-generated works without documented human creative input or originating from unverified AI sources will not be accepted.
Licensed Beats
Any release incorporating pre-made beats must include:
A commercial usage license explicitly granting the right to distribute and monetize the track.
If the beat comes from a sample library (e.g., Splice, Loopmasters), the artist must provide a direct link to the licensed sample(s) used, along with verification that the library permits commercial use.
Beats obtained under non-exclusive or unclear licensing terms may be rejected if the artist cannot demonstrate distribution rights. This includes “free-for-profit” beats from YouTube or other platforms.
As AI music creation becomes increasingly prevalent, Unchained Music embraces its responsible use while enforcing strict standards to protect the integrity of the catalog and comply with evolving industry regulations and best practices. All AI-assisted content must meet the following guidelines:
6.1 Allowed AI Content
AI-generated works are eligible for distribution if they meet the following criteria:
Human Creative Involvement:
The final audio or artwork must show clear human creative input, including editing, arrangement, production, or other artistic contributions. If this is unclear at the time of distribution, Unchained Music may ask you to justify the human input present.
Ethically-Trained AI Tools:
The AI tools used must be based on transparent, ethically sourced datasets. Examples of currently approved platforms are listed here: https://www.fairlytrained.org/certified-models
Proof of Rights and Licensing:
Artists must provide documentation demonstrating full commercial rights to the AI-generated output, including licensing or terms of service agreements as well as an active subscription from the AI tool provider.
Metadata Attribution:
Where applicable, AI models must be credited appropriately in the metadata (e.g., listed as a composer, lyricist, producer, or contributor).
6.2 Rejected AI Content
The following types of AI-generated content will be rejected without exception:
Fully Machine-Generated Tracks:
Works that are entirely produced by AI without meaningful human input, editing, or artistic control, often referred to as "press-a-button" music.
Unverified or Unlicensed AI Tools:
Content generated using AI models with unclear, undisclosed, or unlicensed training data. Examples of currently disallowed platforms include Suno, Udio, Mureka and similar models until such time as their datasets are verified.
Unlicensed AI-Generated Cover Art:
Visual artwork generated by AI without demonstrable proof of rights to both the tool and the resulting image will not be accepted. Artwork must be original, legally cleared, and meet the same human involvement standards as audio content.
Unchained Music is committed to preserving the quality, discoverability, and artistic integrity of its catalog. To that end, we do not accept releases that are primarily designed for passive listening, royalty farming, or SEO manipulation rather than artistic expression.
Prohibited Submissions:
Purely functional or non-musical content, such as white noise, rainfall sounds, static loops, or field recordings without musical structure. Repetitive ambient loops or background sounds created solely for algorithmic exploitation. Titles or metadata using SEO-driven terms such as “Sleep Music,” “Focus Study Beats,” or “Track 001,” without original artistic context.
Artistic Standards:
All releases must demonstrate clear artistic merit, intentional structure, and originality.Music must show development, variation, and human creativity beyond mere functional sound production.
Mass Uploads:
Submissions of large volumes of near-identical or minimally differentiated content intended to flood DSP algorithms will be rejected without exception.
User-Generated Content (UGC) platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snap have distinct rights verification requirements. To distribute to these platforms through Unchained Music, strict compliance is mandatory for all artists and labels.
Verification Requirements:
To qualify for UGC distribution, artists must complete full identity verification (KYC), maintain an active and verifiable artist presence, and submit accurate Spotify and Apple Music profile IDs via Unchained's Artist Roster.
Allowed Submissions
100% original music created and owned by the submitting artist.Properly licensed works where the artist holds exclusive commercial distribution rights.
AI-assisted content that meets Unchained Music’s AI Policy and includes proof of human creative involvement and appropriate licensing.
Prohibited Submissions:
Remixes, mashups, covers, or derivative works without full licensing documentation.
Fully AI-generated tracks with no human artistic involvement.Music that uses non-exclusive samples from platforms like Splice, Loopmasters, GarageBand, BandLab, etc., without full proof of clearance for UGC use.
Unchained Music reserves the right to hold or reject any release intended for UGC distribution if rights ownership, licensing, or identity cannot be fully verified.
To maintain professionalism, credibility, and compliance across all platforms, Unchained Music enforces strict standards regarding artist profile verification and linking.
Required Profile Information:
Artists must submit their correct Spotify URI and Apple Music Artist ID through the Unchained Music platform after an artist profile is present on those platforms.
If a profile already exists in stores, it is mandatory that the corresponding Spotify URI and Apple Music Artist ID are properly linked to the artist's roster within the Unchained Music system prior to distribution.
Failure to accurately associate profiles may result in processing delays, misattributions, or content rejection.
Authenticity and Profile Integrity:
All artist profiles must represent a real, active, and identifiable artist or musical group.Profiles must be fully developed with authentic releases and must not appear to be placeholder, archive, or legacy dumping accounts. All artist profiles on major platforms, including Spotify and Apple, must be fully filled out after an artist’s first release.
Prohibited Profiles:
Profiles that impersonate or closely mimic the name, brand, or likeness of a well-known artist or public figure.
Archive profiles that exist primarily to collect or distribute unofficial or leaked material.Profiles associated with leaked, bootleg, or unauthorized content.
Profiles displaying suspicious activity patterns, such as playlist flooding, generic metadata, or fraudulent streaming behavior. Unchained Music reserves the right to refuse distribution to any profile that does not meet these authenticity and integrity standards. Protecting artist reputation and maintaining trust with DSPs are core priorities of our distribution model.
To uphold the standards outlined in this Content Policy, Unchained Music will actively review and enforce compliance across all releases and artist accounts.
Policy Enforcement:
Releases that fail to meet the content, metadata, rights verification, or quality standards set forth in this policy will be held for clarification, rejected, or removed from distribution at Unchained Music’s sole discretion.Content flagged after distribution due to partner feedback, rights disputes, or detected violations may be taken down retroactively without notice if necessary to protect platform and partner integrity.
Account Penalties:
Accounts that repeatedly violate Unchained Music’s content policies may face temporary suspension of distribution privileges or permanent account termination, depending on the severity and frequency of violations.High-risk behavior such as fraud, rights infringement, or misrepresentation will be subject to immediate investigation and potential platform removal.
Appeals Process:
Artists and labels have the right to appeal any rejection, hold, or enforcement action by submitting additional documentation or clarification regarding their release.Appeals must be submitted through the designated support channels and must include clear, verifiable evidence addressing the reason for the hold or rejection.All appeals will be reviewed by Unchained Music’s Quality Control and Rights teams, and decisions will be communicated within a reasonable timeframe.Unchained Music’s commitment is to fair, transparent enforcement that protects creators while maintaining the trust of our distribution partners.
At Unchained Music, we stand for real artists doing real work.
This Content Policy is not merely a set of rules, it is a reflection of our commitment to protecting and empowering the creators who shape the future of music.We appreciate every artist, label, and partner who joins us in this mission.
Together, we are building a sustainable and ethical ecosystem where great music, and the people behind it, are respected, protected, and celebrated.