A 360 deal gives a label a percentage of nearly every dollar you earn, not just record sales. This guide explains what 360 deals cover, why labels push for them, and how to decide whether to sign one.
Work for hire agreements transfer copyright ownership before you even finish the music. This guide explains what work for hire means, when it applies, what you give up, and how to protect yourself before signing.
Signing a music contract without understanding it can cost you rights, royalties, and years of your career. This guide explains the key contract types, red flags, essential terms, and when you need a lawyer.
What do record labels actually do? Explore how they fund production, manage master rights, and drive global promotion in today's digital era.
Everything you need to know about record labels in 2026. Understand deal types, distribution agreements, contract red flags, and when it makes sense to stay independent. Includes real examples and negotiation tips.
A complete guide to music publishing deals, royalty splits, songwriter rights, and how publishing income works for artists and creators.
A clear breakdown of every type of record deal in 2026, including royalty splits, advance ranges, master ownership terms, and how to spot red flags before you sign.
Learn to build a modern record label in 2026 focusing on music rights, digital distribution, and sustainable artist-friendly growth.
A co-publishing deal splits the publisher's share of your songwriting income with a music publisher in exchange for an advance, administration, and creative services. This guide explains how co-pub deals work, what you keep and what you give up, and how to decide if one is right for you.
You do not need a law degree to understand a music contract. This guide walks through how to read any music agreement, what to look for in each section, which clauses are red flags, and when to stop and get professional help.
Music licensing agreements determine how your music gets used, for how long, in which territories, and for how much. This guide covers every major license type, the terms that matter most, and the red flags to spot before signing.
dig dis! is a German music distributor founded in 2006, focused on labels rather than individual artists. Offers free registration with three different plans available as monthly or yearly subscriptions. Has direct contracts with iTunes, Apple Music, Beatport, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, Amazon, Traxsource, Deezer, Pandora, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more. Provides the free digdis.app for label management with tools for release creation, promotion campaigns, sales analytics, financial statements, real-time chart tracking, revenue splits, and smart links. ISRC codes cost 0.75 EUR each, EAN/UPC codes cost 1.00 EUR each. Gives 365 days of full control. WARNING: charges a 30 EUR fee per release if you leave their service. Best for labels that want a dedicated label-focused distributor with integrated management tools.
e-Muzyka is the leading music distributor on the Polish market, based in Warsaw, Poland, founded in 2005. Part of Empik Group with 20 employees. Represents 650+ Polish independent labels and works with all major labels (Universal, Sony, Warner). Distributes to Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, iTunes, TikTok, Facebook, and more. Certified YouTube partner and biggest multi-channel network in Poland with 250+ million monthly views. Offers physical distribution (CDs, DVDs, books), mobile value-added services, marketing campaigns, and Empik store promotional services. Launched emuze.me self-service platform with 85% revenue share, 50+ services, no long-term contracts, and no upfront fees. Best for Polish artists and labels, and anyone targeting the Polish market.
Last Play Distro is an India-based music distribution platform founded by Amit Malsar, operating under the laws of India with courts located in Rajasthan. Offers three tiers: Free (60% royalties, 3 releases per month), Artist ($9.99/month, 85% royalties, unlimited releases), and Label ($29.99/month, 95% royalties, 5 artists). Distributes to 150+ platforms. No contracts, no lock-ins, no credit card required to start. Transparent royalty splits with dashboard reporting. Best for artists who want to start free and upgrade as they grow.