Most artists click “I agree” and start uploading.

That is understandable.

Distribution agreements are not particularly exciting.

But those terms determine what a company can do with your music and money.

Here are 12 things worth checking.

1. Master ownership

Does the agreement leave ownership of your recordings with you?

2. License

What rights are you granting the distributor?

3. Exclusivity

Can you use other distributors or services?

4. Territory

Is the agreement worldwide?

5. Term

How long does the agreement last?

6. Termination

How do you leave?

Look for notice periods and takedown rules.

7. Fees

Understand:

• subscription charges;
• commission;
• payout fees;
• optional extras.

8. Royalties

How and when are you paid?

Can money be withheld in certain circumstances?

9. Fraud

Read the artificial-streaming rules and potential consequences.

10. Copyright complaints

Understand what happens if another party claims your release infringes its rights.

11. AI rights

Search for:

• AI;
• machine learning;
• training;
• derivative works.

Understand whether your recordings can be used beyond conventional distribution.

12. Sublicensing

Check when the distributor can grant rights to third parties.

Some sublicensing is necessary to distribute music globally.

The scope still matters.

Compare the whole agreement

A cheap distributor is not automatically a good distributor.

A distributor charging more is not automatically better.

Look at the combination of:

• rights;
• price;
• stores;
• support;
• monetisation;
• termination;
• transparency.

Final thoughts

Distribution terms are part of your music business.

You do not need to become a lawyer.

You do need to understand the major commercial rights you are granting before uploading an entire catalogue.