What are the potential consequences of using someone else’s work without permission?

If you are using another person’s work without permission from them or without permission under the law, then you are violating or “infringing” their rights.

The copyright owner of the content that has been used without permission can seek to remove your content from various online platforms by filing a “DMCA notice.” Music distribution platforms are obligated to remove content when a DMCA claim is received. This is in compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 as embodied in 17 U.S.C. § 512 (the “DMCA”), a copy of which may be found on the United States Copyright Office website at: https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html#512. 

The copyright owner can also choose to sue you for copyright infringement and seek money damages, and is not limited to using the DMCA process against the direct infringer.

Using copyrighted materials without permission is a violation of UnitedMasters’ Terms of Use and our policies. UnitedMasters may restrict or terminate accounts of users who repeatedly submit infringing content or breach intellectual property rights. If infringing content is uploaded, UnitedMasters reserves the right to remove it, withhold associated earnings, and impose further distribution restrictions. Users distributing copyrighted materials without permission may also lose the ability to upload under the same or different artist names. These measures reflect UnitedMasters’ commitment to adhering to copyright laws and protecting intellectual property rights.

Preventing Copyright Infringement

To avoid these penalties:

• Always ensure you have the proper rights and licenses for all content distributed through UnitedMasters. Please refer to our copyright blog post here for quick tips that will help guide you in your release rollout.

Familiarize yourself with copyright laws and best practices for intellectual property usage. By adhering to these guidelines and securing necessary permissions, users can safeguard their accounts and maintain uninterrupted use of UnitedMasters’ services.

For more information or assistance regarding copyright issues, consult our Help Center.