Protect your
song lyrics
Your song lyrics are your most personal creation — and the most vulnerable to plagiarism. A complete guide to protecting your song lyrics legally before co-writing, sending to a composer, or publishing.
Tezos Blockchain · eIDAS · 170+ countries · 2 minutes · First deposit free without card
Your song lyrics are protected —
but not provable automatically
In France, song lyrics are protected by copyright as soon as they're written, with no formality. But in case of plagiarism, you have to prove prove that you wrote them before the other party.
What the law grants you automatically
- Copyright for your lyrics upon writing
- Permanent and inalienable moral right
- Protection in over 180 countries — Berne Convention
- Exclusive right to use your lyrics
- Protection independent of the music
What the law doesn't give you without proof
- A dated proof of authorship
- A document admissible in court
- Traceability in the event of lyric plagiarism
- The ability to define your contribution in co-writing
- Proof that the lyrics existed before the music
The fundamental rule: for protecting your song lyrics effectively, create a dated proof of priority before any external sharing — sending to a composer, publishing on social media, submitting to a publisher or during a co-writing session.
Song lyrics vs words: what is the difference in protection?
The terms are often used interchangeably — but in practice, protecting your song lyrics covers a broader scope than just the final lyrics:
| Textual element | Protected by copyright | To be registered on TuneLockr |
|---|---|---|
| Complete finalised lyrics | Yes | Yes — definitive version |
| Draft chorus or verse | Yes | Yes — before any session |
| Topline with vocal melody | Yes | Yes — before sending to composer |
| Narrative structure of the text | Partial | Yes — if original |
| Song title only | No — too short | With full text |
| Abstract idea for a text | No | Not protectable |
3 methods for protecting your song lyrics
TuneLockr — Register in 2 minutes
Upload your text file (PDF, TXT, DOCX), TuneLockr creates a cryptographic fingerprint on the Tezos blockchain — irrefutable, timestamped proof to the second, valid in 170+ countries.
Advantages
- 2 minutes — the fastest
- Tezos Blockchain — tamper-proof
- eIDAS standard — legal value in the EU
- 170+ countries accepted
- First deposit free, no card required
- Lifetime deposit — €79.99
Accepted text formats
- PDF — recommended format
- TXT — plain text
- DOCX — Word document
- ZIP — text and audio together
- All languages accepted
Soleau envelope — INPI
The official French method via theINPI. Ideal as a complement for texts with high commercial value or major publishing projects.
- Official French State body
- Recognised by French courts
- €15 per envelope
- Valid for 5 years, renewable
- 15 working days turnaround
- Limited formats
- Not suitable for frequent registration
SACEM — For commercial rights
The SACEM does not create prior art proof — it collects royalties when your song lyrics are commercially exploited.
- Streaming royalties for your lyrics (Spotify, Deezer, YouTube)
- Radio and TV rights — each broadcast generates royalties
- Sync — advertising, films, series
- Additional to TuneLockr — not a competitor
Comprehensive strategy: TuneLockr before broadcast for proof + SACEM after broadcast for royalties. See: SACEM vs TuneLockr guide.
Comparison table — Protecting your song lyrics 2026
| Method | Timeframe | Cost | Legal value | For lyrics | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TuneLockr | 2 minutes | First one free, from €4.90 | Strong — eIDAS + Tezos | PDF, TXT, DOCX, ZIP | Critical |
| Soleau Envelope (INPI) | 15 days | 15€ | Good — official FR | Limited formats | Complementary |
| Email to yourself | Immediate | Free | None — legal myth | Not sufficient alone | To avoid |
| SACEM | Several weeks | Membership fees | Copyrights | After sharing | Complementary |
When protecting your song lyrics :
key moments
The rule: register before any external sharing. Not after. Here are the 6 moments when protecting your lyrics is essential.
Before a composition session
Before sending your lyrics to a composer or beatmaker — register the version you send. If the song becomes a hit, your timestamped proof establishes the lyrics were yours before the session.
Before co-writing
Before any joint writing session — deposit your existing contribution. In case of a dispute over the authorship of the text, your deposit clearly defines what you have contributed.
Before submitting to a publisher
Before submitting your texts to a music publisher or a literary publisher — protect them first. Publishers receive thousands of texts every year.
Before sending to an artist
If you write texts for other artists (ghostwriting) — deposit before every submission. Even if you assign the rights, your proof of prior creation remains your protection.
Before publishing online
Before posting a text excerpt on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube — your text is immediately readable and can be copied. Deposit before publishing.
Before a competition or pitch
Before submitting your texts to a songwriting competition, a talent contest or a call for projects — protect them. Competitions expose your texts to numerous readers.
Ghostwriting: protecting your song lyrics
when writing for others
Ghostwriters and songwriter-composers who write for other artists have specific needs in terms of protecting their song lyrics.
⚠️ Risks specific to ghostwriting
- The artist claims full authorship of the text without crediting you
- The text is altered and sold to a third party without your consent
- The rights assignment is not honoured after delivery
- A dispute over the split of publishing rights
✅ The right method for ghostwriters
- Deposit on TuneLockr before every delivery
- Keep all intermediate versions
- Draw up the rights assignment contract in writing
- Reference your certificate in the contract
- Deposit the delivered final version separately
Ghostwriting tip: Even if you transfer the exploitation rights to a song lyric, your TuneLockr proof of prior authorship remains your protection in the event of a dispute over authorship or the terms of the assignment. Never deliver a lyric without having first registered it.
How protecting your song lyrics
with TuneLockr in 2 minutes
Prepare your text file
PDF, TXT or DOCX. You can upload a full lyric, a draft of a chorus, a topline — even unfinished. The sooner you upload, the better your protection.
Create your TuneLockr account
Sign up for free on app.tunelockr.com — no credit card required for your first deposit. No membership necessary.
Upload your song lyrics
TuneLockr generates a unique cryptographic fingerprint of your lyrics and records it on the Tezos blockchain — irrefutable proof that these lyrics existed at this precise date.
Receive your PDF certificate instantly
Timestamped certificate, compliant with the eIDAS standard, valid for life in 170+ countries. Accessible in your artist dashboard at any time.
Share securely
Send your lyrics to a composer, publisher or artist — your proof of prior creation is established and indisputable before any sharing.
✍️ 1st TuneLockr deposit offered — no card required
Protect your song lyrics in 2 minutes. Tezos blockchain, timestamped PDF certificate, valid for life in 170+ countries.
Protect my song lyrics →My song lyrics have been plagiarised —
what to do?
Gather your proof
TuneLockr certificate, original lyrics file, date of first publication or sending, history of email or message exchanges. The more your evidence predates the plagiarism, the stronger your case.
Compare lyrics accurately
Identify copied sections — chorus, verse, song structure, distinctive wording. The more precise the match between your original lyrics and the plagiarised text, the stronger your case.
Contact the platform
YouTube, Spotify, TikTok — report the infringement via their copyright form. Attach your TuneLockr certificate as proof of prior creation of your lyrics.
Send a formal notice
Send a recorded delivery letter to the plagiarist, requesting removal and mentioning your proof of prior creation for the lyrics in question.
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: a dated TuneLockr certificate before the publication of the plagiarised lyrics. This is irrefutable proof that you wrote these song lyrics first.
Frequently asked questions about protection
of song lyrics
For protecting your song lyrics Legally: 1) Deposit on TuneLockr before any sharing — receive a blockchain timestamped certificate on Tezos in 2 minutes, first deposit is free. 2) Consider the Soleau envelope from INPI (15€, 15 days) as an additional step. 3) Join SACEM to receive royalties when your work is used commercially. Copyright is automatic — but without a dated proof, it’s impossible to defend.
Yes — the song lyrics are protected by copyright from the moment they are written, without any formalities. However, in case of plagiarism, you must be able to prove that you wrote them before anyone else. That’s the purpose of the TuneLockr certificate — an irrefutable timestamped proof. First upload free →
Yes — a song lyric is protected by copyright independently of the music. Deposit it on TuneLockr as soon as the lyrics are ready to share, before any composition session. This is even the ideal situation: your proof predates the musical collaboration.
Before a co-writing session, deposit your existing contribution on TuneLockr — whether it’s a full lyric, a chorus draft or a topline. This dated deposit clearly establishes your input before the session. If there is any dispute over authorship, your certificate proves what you had written before the collaboration.
Yes — TuneLockr protects song lyrics in all languages. The certificate is recognised in over 170 countries, thanks to the eIDAS standard and Tezos blockchain. French, English, Spanish or any other language — the legal value is the same.
No — TuneLockr is available to everyone without joining SACEM. The SACEM manages your rights if your lyrics are used commercially. TuneLockr provides proof of priority before any public release. They are complementary — not competitors. See: SACEM vs TuneLockr.
✍️ Your song lyrics deserve
real protection.
Tezos blockchain, timestamped PDF certificate, valid for life in over 170 countries. First deposit free, no credit card required. 2 minutes.
2 minutes · No card required · Valid for life · 170+ countries
Further resources
Learn more about protecting your musical works.
How to protect its music
Complete guide 2026.
Read →Protect lyrics
Dedicated guide 2026.
Read →Protect your creations
Full workflow.
Read →Protect a beat
Beatmakers guide.
Read →Protect an audio file
3 legal methods.
Read →SACEM vs TuneLockr
Distinct roles.
Read →Music copyright
Complete guide 2026.
Read →Plagiarism Detection
What to do in case of plagiarism.
Read →Protect a musical work
2026 Guide.
Read →Protect my music
Beathoven Guide 2026.
Read →Official sources: INPI · SACEM · Intellectual Property Code · Berne Convention
