How to Protect Your Professional Recordings From Piracy

Piracy is a serious concern for today’s music artists. While some sites pose a minimal threat with shoddy design that sends visitors running, others are pirating music successfully at astonishing rates. Whether you’re already facing instances of piracy or you simply want to stay prepared, these tips will help you protect your music from start to finish.

Work in a Reliable Studio

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Image via Flickr by MiiiSH

If you’re concerned about your professional recordings leaking before their official release, the most important thing to do is protect your workspace. Ask your music studio what protections are in place. Set limits on who’s in the recording studio, and ban smartphones or other recording devices. Make sure everyone you work with, from your recording engineer to your studio manager, is someone you feel comfortable with. It’s important to keep your unfinished audio music recording in the right hands to make sure nothing leaks while mixing or mastering your album. At the Carriage House, we use reliable methods for protecting your content from piracy and data loss.

Consider Your Piracy Stance

Not all artists feel the same about piracy. Some see the benefits of wide music circulation, even if it is through unauthorized sources. Getting your music into new hands – and ears – can translate into other forms of compensation, such as ticket and merchandise sales. In cases of sampling or remixing, you may find that the benefits of exposure are worth overlooking finer points of fair use regulations. Carefully consider the best use of your time and resources in cases of piracy.

Know How to Issue Takedown Requests

If you find your music on a pirate site and want it taken down, you can issue your own takedown requests via email. This is typically done with a boilerplate takedown notice known as a DMCA (Digital Music Copyright Act). Scroll down to the bottom of the offending site and look for contact information. You will often find a link specifically for takedown requests.

Many sites are surprisingly accommodating of independent artists who want to protect their assets. Music production isn’t cheap, and even pirate sites understand the importance of earning a living off your creations. Before you send a DMCA takedown notice, however, it’s smart to have an attorney take a look so you’re not issuing threats you can’t back up.

Get Help When You Need It

If you’re battling a major battle against piracy, you can enlist professional help. There are many anti-piracy services available that will scan the Internet for unauthorized use of your music and issues takedown requests for you. This solution is best for musicians who have a major problem with piracy that they can’t handle on their own.

Lay down your recordings in a reliable Connecticut recording studio like The Carriage House and you can rest easy knowing your music is in safe hands in these early stages. Once your music hits the wider market beyond Carriage House Studios, you can approach issues of piracy as you see fit using these guidelines.

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Posted on September 29, 2015 in Professional Recording Studios,

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