SACEM vs TuneLockr :
protect your music in 2026
SACEM or TuneLockr for protect his music ? Both — but not for the same reasons. Complete guide to their different roles, limitations, and how to combine them for total music protection.
🔒 Protect your music before release: read our guide to protect your musical creations and secure every version of your works.
The essential distinction: SACEM and TuneLockr are not the same thing
This is the most common source of confusion among independent artists. Protect your music with SACEM and protect your music with TuneLockr do not serve the same purpose — and that is exactly why both are needed.
🎼 What does SACEM protect?
SACEM manages theexploitation of your music — it collects royalties when your music is broadcast, played or used commercially.
- Copyrights on the radio
- Streaming royalties (Spotify, Deezer)
- Live concert and event rights
- Synchronisation (TV, advertising, film)
🔐 What does TuneLockr protect?
TuneLockr creates a proof of ownership — it proves that you are the author of a work at a specific date, before any public release.
- Timestamped creation certificate
- Legal proof in case of dispute
- Protection before official release
- Valid in 170+ countries
The rule: SACEM manages the use of your music after it has been broadcast. TuneLockr proves your authorship before it is released. These are not two alternatives – they are two complementary steps for protect his music complete protection.
SACEM: collective management of copyright
Founded in 1851, the SACEM (Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers) is the leading agency in France for the collective management of music copyright.
✅ What SACEM does well
- Collects royalties from radio, TV and streaming
- Distributes concert royalties
- Represents your rights internationally
- Manages synchronisation (advertising, cinema)
- Recognised by all French industry professionals
⚠️ What SACEM does not do
- Create a dated proof of prior creation
- Protect your music before publishing
- Prove you are the original author in case of a dispute
- Allow instant deposit/registration
- Manage your demos, drafts and beats
TuneLockr: timestamped proof of authorship before release
TuneLockr is the modern solution for protect his music before any sharing — in 2 minutes, no membership, valid in 170+ countries.
✅ What TuneLockr does well
- Timestamped certificate in 2 minutes
- Tezos blockchain — immutable proof
- eIDAS standard — legal value in the EU
- Valid in 170+ countries
- No membership required
- Accepts all formats: audio, lyrics, ZIP
- First deposit free, no bank card required
⚠️ What TuneLockr does not do
- Collect your SACEM copyright royalties
- Replace a collective management organisation
- Manage commercial releases/broadcasts
This is not a flaw — TuneLockr does not aim to replace SACEM. It complements it for complete protection.
Comparison table — SACEM vs TuneLockr for protecting your music
| Criterion | TuneLockr | SACEM |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate proof of authorship | Yes — certificate in 2 min | No |
| Protection before mailing | Yes — from the demo | No |
| Copyright royalty collection | No | Yes — radio, streaming, live |
| Membership required | No — open to all | Yes — process + fees |
| Time to protection | Snapshot | Several weeks |
| Accepted formats | Audio, lyrics, ZIP, visuals, sheet music | Audio, sheet music |
| Legal value | eIDAS + Tezos blockchain — 170+ countries | Strong — French copyright protection |
| Price | First deposit free, from €4.90/deposit | Membership fees + commission on royalties |
| Protection of demos/drafts | Yes | No |
| Ideal for | Independent artists, beatmakers | Artists with commercial releases |
The complete workflow to protect your music in 2026
The winning strategy is not "SACEM or TuneLockr" — it’s TuneLockr first, then SACEM. Here is the exact workflow:
Create the work — demo, mock-up or final version
As soon as your track exists in the form of audio file, lyrics or DAW project, it is ready to be protected. Don’t wait for the final version — a rough draft can be registered.
Register on TuneLockr — before any sharing
Before sending to a label, a beatmaker, a collaborator, or publishing any snippet: register on TuneLockr. 2 minutes. Legally recognised PDF certificate. This is the basis for protect his music before release.
Officially publish and distribute
Distribute your track via DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby. Your music is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer.
Register with SACEM
Register your track with SACEM before or during commercial release. SACEM collects royalties for every radio play, stream, and live performance.
Full protection — authorship + royalties
TuneLockr proves that you are the author. SACEM pays you for every use. You are protected at every stage — from creation to commercial success.
Result: by combining TuneLockr and SACEM, you protect your music 100% — proof of authorship before release + royalty collection after release. No step is left uncovered.
🎁 First TuneLockr deposit free — no card required
Protect your next track in 2 minutes before any sharing. Timestamped PDF certificate, Tezos blockchain, valid in 170+ countries.
Protect my music for free →When to use TuneLockr and when to use SACEM
🔐 Use TuneLockr when:
- You create a new demo or draft
- You are going to send your music to a label
- You are collaborating with a beatmaker
- You are submitting to a competition
- You are publishing a snippet on social networks
- You are not with SACEM yet
- You want immediate protection
🎼 Use SACEM when:
- Your music is played on the radio
- Your track is on Spotify or Deezer
- You are performing live
- Your music is used in an advert or film
- You want to receive your royalties automatically
- You have regular commercial releases
FAQ — Protecting your music: SACEM and TuneLockr
No — TuneLockr and SACEM complement each other. TuneLockr creates a timestamped proof of authorship before publication. SACEM collects royalties during commercial exploitation. They meet different needs — using both together is the best strategy. music protection complete in 2026.
No — the SACEM is not immediate proof of prior creation. It manages copyright and collects royalties when your work is exploited, but does not provide dated proof of authorship. For protect his music prior to publishing, TuneLockr is essential as a complement.
Yes — TuneLockr is open to all artists, with no need to join SACEM. It’s ideal for independent artists, beatmakers or non-affiliated authors. You can protect your music on TuneLockr now, and join SACEM when your works start being broadcast commercially.
Yes — the TuneLockr certificate complies with the European eIDAS standard and the Tezos blockchain. It is recognised in over 170 countries as legal proof of prior creation. In case of dispute over authorship, this certificate can be presented in court.
As early as possible — from the demo or draft, before any external sharing. Proof of prior creation should come before any publication, or sending to a label or collaborator. TuneLockr lets you protect his music in 2 minutes, without waiting for the final version. First deposit free →
Yes — the recommended order is: 1) TuneLockr first, to get immediate proof of authorship. 2) SACEM later, when your works start generating public income (streaming, radio, live). Your TuneLockr deposits remain valid regardless of your SACEM status.
Resources for protecting your music
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Get started →Protect your creations
Complete TuneLockr guide.
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All solutions for 2026.
Read →SACEM alternative
Full comparison 2026.
Read →Sources: SACEM.fr · INPI · Intellectual Property Code
