Protect the lyrics
of a song
Lyrics are often the most personal part of a musical creation — and one of the most vulnerable to plagiarism. Complete guide to how to protect the lyrics of a song legally, quickly and sustainably.
Tezos Blockchain · eIDAS · 170+ countries · 2 minutes · 1st deposit offered
Lyrics are protected —
but not provable automatically
In France, the lyrics of a song are protected by copyright as soon as they are written, without any formalities. But in case of dispute or plagiarism, you must prove prove that you wrote them before the other party.
What the law grants you automatically
- Copyright on your lyrics from the moment of writing
- Permanent and inalienable moral right
- Protection in 180+ countries (Berne Convention)
- Right to control the use of your texts
What the law doesn't automatically give you
- A dated proof of authorship
- A document admissible in court
- Traceability in case of lyric plagiarism
- The ability to prove who wrote what in collaboration
The fundamental rule: for how to protect the lyrics of a song effectively, you must create dated evidence of prior existence before any external sharing — sending to an artist, posting on social media, submitting to a publisher.
3 methods for protect lyrics
of a song in 2026
TuneLockr — Blockchain deposit in 2 minutes
The fastest method for how to protect the lyrics of a song. Upload your text file (PDF, TXT, DOCX), TuneLockr calculates a cryptographic fingerprint and records it on the Tezos blockchain. Immutable proof, timestamped to the second.
Advantages
- 2 minutes — the fastest
- Tezos Blockchain — tamper-proof
- eIDAS standard — legal value in the EU
- Valid in 170+ countries
- First deposit free, no card required
- Lifetime deposit — €79.99
- PDF, TXT, DOCX accepted
What you can register
- Full lyrics of a song
- Draft of a chorus or a verse
- Topline with vocal melody
- Lyrics + audio together (ZIP)
- Multiple versions of the same text
- Lyrics in a foreign language
Soleau envelope — INPI
The official French method via theINPI. Recognised by French courts. Ideal as a complement to TuneLockr for high-value lyrics or important editorial projects.
Positive points
- Official French State body
- Recognised by French courts
- €15 per envelope
- Valid for 5 years, renewable
Limitations
- Processing time: 15 days
- Limited formats
- No artist dashboard
- Less suitable for frequent deposits
SACEM — For commercial rights
The SACEM does not create proof of anteriority of your lyrics — it collects royalties when your lyrics are commercially exploited (streaming, radio, concerts, synchronisation).
- Streaming royalties on your lyrics (Spotify, Deezer)
- Radio and TV rights
- Sync — advertising, films, series
- Additional to TuneLockr — not a competitor
Comprehensive strategy: TuneLockr for proof of anteriority before distribution + SACEM for collecting rights after distribution. See: SACEM vs TuneLockr guide.
Comparison table — Protect lyrics
of a song 2026
| Method | Timeframe | Cost | Legal value | For lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TuneLockr Recommended | 2 minutes | First one free, from €4.90 | Strong — eIDAS + Tezos | PDF, TXT, DOCX, ZIP |
| Soleau Envelope (INPI) | 15 days | 15€ | Good — official FR | Limited formats |
| Email to yourself | Immediate | Free | None — legal myth | Not recommended alone |
| SACEM | Several weeks | Membership fees | Copyrights | After commercial distribution |
| Notary | By appointment | 100-300€ | Very strong | For very high-value lyrics |
How protect lyrics
of a song with TuneLockr
In 2 minutes, before any sharing — from the first draft.
Prepare your lyrics file
PDF, TXT, DOCX or even a ZIP archive with lyrics + audio. You can submit an incomplete draft, a chorus, a topline — no need to wait for the final version.
Create your TuneLockr account
Sign up for free on app.tunelockr.com — no credit card for the first deposit. No SACEM membership required.
Upload your lyrics file
TuneLockr calculates a unique cryptographic fingerprint of your text and records it on the Tezos blockchain — immutable proof that these lyrics existed at this precise date.
Receive your PDF certificate instantly
Timestamped certificate, electronically signed, compliant with the eIDAS standard. Valid for life, accessible in your artist area. It is your proof of anteriority of these lyrics.
Share securely
Send your lyrics to a composer, an artist, a publisher, or publish them online — your proof of priority is established and irrefutable.
When protect lyrics of a song
The rule is simple: file before any external sharing. Not after.
From the first draft
Even if incomplete, a first draft of lyrics deserves proof. If someone uses your chorus before you release the song, you must prove you wrote it first.
Before co-writing
Before a writing session with another author, file your existing contribution. In case of disagreement over authorship, your dated filing will clearly define your contribution.
Before any external sending
Before sending your lyrics to a composer, a label, a manager, or an artist — file first. Once shared, your lyrics circulate without a safety net.
Before publishing online
Before posting an excerpt on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube — your lyrics are immediately accessible and copyable. File before.
Before a pitch or a competition
Before submitting your lyrics to a song contest, a publishing house, or a producer — protect them first.
Before the final version
Before your song is mixed, mastered, and distributed — file the final version of the lyrics with the audio in a ZIP for complete protection.
Protect the lyrics in
the context of a co-writing
Writing collaborations are the most sensitive context for how to protect the lyrics of a song.
⚠️ Frequent grey areas
- Who wrote the chorus first?
- What percentage of lyrics for each author?
- Is the vocal topline from the author or the composer?
- Have the lyrics sent by email been modified?
✅ The right method
- File your contribution before the session
- File the final version with both authors
- Keep timestamped email exchanges
- Formalise the percentages in writing from the start
Tip: if you co-write regularly, make a TuneLockr deposit at every key stage — start of session, intermediate version, and final version. This timeline is the best protection in case of a dispute.
My lyrics have been plagiarised —
what to do?
Gather your proof
TuneLockr certificate, original lyrics file, date of first publication or sharing, email or message exchange history.
Compare closely
Identify the plagiarised sections — chorus, verse, structure, hook. The more precise the match, the stronger your position.
Contact the platform
YouTube, Spotify, TikTok — report the infringement via their copyright form. Attach your TuneLockr certificate as proof of precedence.
Send a formal notice
Registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to the plagiarist author, request for withdrawal or credit, mention of your proof of precedence.
Consult a lawyer
If the problem persists, an intellectual property lawyer can file an infringement claim. Your TuneLockr certificate is the key piece of evidence.
The best defence: having a dated TuneLockr certificate before the publication of the plagiarism. This is the irrefutable proof that you wrote these lyrics first.
✍️ 1st TuneLockr deposit offered — no card required
Protect your lyrics in 2 minutes. Tezos Blockchain, timestamped PDF certificate, valid for life in 170+ countries.
Protect my lyrics for free →Frequently asked questions about protection
of lyrics of a song
For how to protect the lyrics of a song legally: 1) Deposit on TuneLockr before any sharing — Tezos blockchain timestamped certificate in 2 minutes, first deposit free. 2) Consider the Soleau envelope INPI (15€, 15 days) as a complement. 3) Join SACEM to receive royalties during commercial distribution. Copyright exists automatically — but without a dated proof, it is difficult to defend.
Yes — the song lyrics are protected by copyright from the moment they are written, without formalities (Berne Convention). But this protection cannot be proven without a dated proof of precedence. In case of plagiarism, you must prove that you wrote these lyrics before the other party — this is the role of the TuneLockr certificate.
Yes — TuneLockr accepts song lyrics in PDF, TXT, DOCX or in a ZIP archive (with audio). You can submit a full text, a draft chorus, a topline or lyrics in progress. 1st submission free without a credit card. Get started →
In the case of lyric plagiarism: 1) Gather your evidence — TuneLockr certificate, date of creation, email exchanges. 2) Contact the platform (YouTube, Spotify) to report the violation. 3) Send a formal notice. 4) Consult an intellectual property lawyer. Your TuneLockr certificate is legally opposable proof of precedence.
No — SACEM is not mandatory for how to protect the lyrics of a song. TuneLockr is accessible to all without membership. SACEM is useful for collecting royalties during commercial broadcasts — it's complementary, not a prerequisite. See: SACEM vs TuneLockr guide.
Yes — it's particularly important in co-writing. Submit your contribution to TuneLockr before the writing session, then submit the final version with both authors. In case of disagreement over authorship, your dated submission will clearly delineate your contribution.
✍️ Your lyrics deserve
real protection.
Tezos Blockchain, time-stamped PDF certificate, valid for life in 170+ countries. 1st deposit offered without a credit card.
2 minutes · No card required · Valid for life · 170+ countries
Further resources
To learn more about music protection and copyright.
How to protect its music
Complete guide 2026.
Read →Protect your creations
All the solutions.
Read →Protect an audio file
3 legal methods.
Read →SACEM vs TuneLockr
Distinct roles explained.
Read →Music copyright
Complete guide 2026.
Read →Protect a beat
Guide for beatmakers.
Read →Plagiarism Detection
What to do in case of plagiarism.
Read →Protect my music
Comprehensive Beathoven guide.
Read →Official sources: INPI · SACEM · Intellectual Property Code · Berne Convention
