Register a Song : Complete Guide 2026 (Methods, Cost, Mistakes to Avoid)
Register a song for protect his music is one of the most important steps an independent artist can take — and one of the most overlooked. This guide explains exactly how register a song, what methods exist, how much it costs, and the common mistakes most artists make.
1) What does it mean to register a song?
Register a song consists of creating a dated and verifiable proof that your musical work existed at a specific moment — and that it was in your possession. This is known as proof of priority.
Many artists confuse registering with SACEM, distribution, or US copyright. These are related but distinct concepts. Registering a song purely means proving that you are the author on a specific date. Nothing more — nothing less.
Register a song
Create dated proof of priority. Prove that you were the author before any sharing or release.
Join SACEM
Receive royalties from broadcast (radio, streaming, gigs). Does not create individual proof of priority.
Distribute a song
Release the song on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube. Does not substitute protection — it exposes it.
The golden rule: register a song must be done before before any sharing — before sending to a label, before releasing on platforms, before collaborating. Once shared, your song circulates without protection.
2) Why register a song before releasing it
Copyright automatically arises in France as soon as an original work is created. But automatic doesn't mean protected — this means you have rights in theory. In practice, if someone disputes the authorship of your song, you must prove prove that you were the author before them. And without dated proof, this is almost impossible.
Situations where registering a song makes a difference
🎤 Plagiarism dispute
An artist releases a song similar to yours. To prove you created it first, you need dated proof that predates their publication. Without prior registration, it's impossible to demonstrate priority.
🤝 Dispute between collaborators
A co-writer, beatmaker or producer claims more rights to your song than agreed. A dated registration of each contribution immediately clarifies things.
📤 Sending to a label or manager
Before you send your demo to a record label or a manager, Upload your song. If an issue arises afterwards, you have proof that the work belonged to you on that date.
🤖 Unauthorised use by AI
An AI generates a composition very similar to yours. Without dated proof that your song existed first, you are unable to demonstrate the priority of your creation.
3) What songs and creations can be registered?
Register a song is not limited to finished and mastered titles. Any musical element that is sufficiently original and identifiable can be registered.
| Type of creation | Can it be registered? | Recommended format |
|---|---|---|
| Finished song | Yes | WAV or MP3 320kbps |
| Demo / Draft | Yes | MP3 or WAV |
| Beat / Instrumental | Yes | MP3 or WAV |
| Song lyrics | Yes | PDF or TXT |
| Topline (sung melody) | Yes | MP3 audio |
| Stems | Yes | ZIP archive |
| DAW project (FL Studio, Ableton, etc.) | Yes | Project ZIP archive |
| Original recorded melody | Yes | Even basic quality audio |
| Generic music style | No | A musical genre cannot be protected |
At what stage should you register? As soon as possible. Even an imperfect demo can be registered. What matters is that the file is clearly identifiable as your creation at a specific date. You can register several versions as you go — demo, then final version.
4) The 4 ways to register a song in 2026
The fastest method for register a song in 2026. TuneLockr generates tamper-proof, timestamped proof via blockchain — unalterable, dated to the second, instantly accessible.
- 2 minutes to register a complete song
- All formats audio and text accepted
- Downloadable certificate immediately
- Music specialist — interface designed for artists
- First deposit offered
Official registration with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). The digital version is available on inpi.fr. Processing time of a few days — less suitable in an emergency.
- Official institution of the French government
- Recognised in court French
- ~15€ per submission
- Archiving for 5 years, renewable
- Processing time — not instant
Authentic act before a legal officer. Maximum evidential value — the strongest legal option. High cost and waiting time for an appointment. Recommended for songs with high commercial stakes.
- Maximum evidential value
- Authentic act recognised everywhere
- 200€+ per submission
- Appointment waiting time
- Impractical for each track
SACEM does not allow you to register a song as individual proof of prior creation. It manages the collection of broadcasting rights. Complementary to the methods above — essential for rights, but not for individual protection.
- Collection of radio, streaming, and concert royalties
- International coverage (160+ countries)
- Does not protect against individual plagiarism
- ~€50 initial membership
5) Comparison of methods for registering a song
| Method | Speed | Cost | Proof of prior creation | Broadcasting rights | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TuneLockr | 2 minutes | Accessible | Yes — blockchain | No | All artists |
| INPI Soleau envelope | A few days | ~15€ | Yes — official | No | Official deposit required |
| Notary | Appointment waiting time | 200€+ | Maximum | No | Works with high stakes |
| SACEM | Weeks | ~€50 membership | Not individual | Yes — 160+ countries | Broadcasting rights |
The optimal combination: TuneLockr before any sharing + SACEM for broadcasting rights. These two tools complement each other — TuneLockr for individual proof, SACEM for collective management of rights.
6) How to register a song: practical steps
Prepare the right file
Finished song, demo, beat, lyrics or stems — the format doesn't matter. WAV or 320kbps MP3 for audio, PDF or TXT for lyrics. The sooner you protect, the better.
Submit on TuneLockr
Upload your file to TuneLockr. The platform generates a digital fingerprint of your song and timestamps it via the Tezos blockchain. The process takes 2 minutes.
Download your certificate
Your deposit certificate is available immediately. It includes the exact date, the file's digital fingerprint, and the blockchain proof. Keep it safe.
Archive your supporting evidence
In addition to the TuneLockr certificate, keep your DAW projects, interim exports, and email exchanges related to creation. These additional elements strengthen your case.
Share your song safely
Send to your label, your collaborator, or publish on platforms — your song is protected. In the event of a dispute, you have your dated proof.
Register your song on TuneLockr
Blockchain time-stamped proof of authorship in 2 minutes. First deposit free to try out the platform.
7) Registering a song ≠ distributing a song: the confusion to avoid
This is the most common misunderstanding. Many artists think that register a song putting it on Spotify or YouTube is the same as protecting it. This is completely untrue — and this confusion can be very costly.
🔐 Register a song
- Crée une preuve d'antériorité datée
- Proves that you are the author as of a specific date
- Protects against plagiarism and disputes
- Done via TuneLockr, Soleau envelope, or notary
- Does not make your song publicly accessible
📦 Distribute a song
- Puts your song online on Spotify, Apple Music…
- Makes the song available to everyone
- Generates streams and royalties
- Done via DistroKid, TuneCore, iMusician…
- Does not offer individual protection against plagiarism
The fatal mistake: putting your song on Spotify without registering it first. Once publicly released, your song is exposed. If someone copies it or contests your authorship, you will need proof that dates frombefore the release. Register first, distribute afterwards.
8) How much does registering a song cost in 2026?
| Method | Indicative cost | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| TuneLockr | Affordable prices — see pricing | Blockchain certificate, access to proofs, first deposit free |
| INPI Soleau envelope | ~€15 per filing | 5-year renewable archiving, official INPI access |
| Notary / Bailiff | €200 and up | Authentic deed, highest probative value |
| SACEM | ~€50 membership + commission | Distribution rights management, network of 160+ countries — no proof of authorship |
Perspective: Registering a song costs just a few euros or minutes. An unprepared plagiarism dispute can cost thousands of euros and take months to resolve. The registration fee is negligible compared to the risk.
9) Mistakes to avoid when registering a song
❌ Waiting until the official release
Depositing a song after releasing it on Spotify is too late. Protection must come before distribution, not after.
❌ Believing that SACEM is enough
SACEM manages broadcasting rights but does not create any individual proof of precedence. It cannot prove that you are the original author.
❌ Confusing deposit and distribution
Adding your song to Spotify does not protect it. These are two separate actions which serve different purposes.
❌ Not depositing demos
A song does not need to be finalised to deserve protection. Demos, drafts and beats should also be deposited before sending them out.
❌ Sending to a label without protection
Before sending your song to a label, manager or collaborator, deposit it first. This protects you if any problem arises afterwards.
❌ Keeping no archives
In addition to your deposit certificate, keep your DAW projects, interim exports and email exchanges — these are all valuable additional proof.
🔐 Deposit your song now
TuneLockr — timestamped blockchain proof of precedence in 2 minutes. The fastest method for register a song before any sharing.
10) FAQ — Depositing a song in 2026
To deposit a song and protect it: use TuneLockr for a blockchain timestamp in 2 minutes, the Soleau Envelope from INPI (~€15) for official deposit, or a notary for maximum evidential value. The important thing is to deposit it BEFORE any sharing — before sending it to a label, before publishing it online.
Depositing a song before distribution creates dated proof that you were the author prior to any public sharing. Without this proof, if someone disputes your authorship or releases a similar track, you cannot demonstrate that your creation existed first. Distribution exposes your song — protection must come before.
No. SACEM does not create individual proof of prior authorship. It manages broadcasting rights but cannot prove that you are the original author in the event of a plagiarism dispute. To file a song with genuine individual protection, use TuneLockr or the Soleau envelope from INPI alongside SACEM.
Yes. Registering a song is not limited to finalised tracks. A beat, demo, stem, or work-in-progress version can be registered to obtain proof of prior authorship. What matters is that the file can be identified as your creation on a specific date.
TuneLockr offers affordable rates and your first deposit is free. The Soleau envelope from INPI costs around €15 per submission. A notary or bailiff charges €200 or more. These costs are minimal compared to the risk of facing a dispute unprepared.
Yes, these are two different actions. Registering a song = creating proof of prior authorship to protect your creation (TuneLockr, Soleau, SACEM). Distributing a song = making it available online on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube via a distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, etc.). Both are complementary but do not replace each other.
