This Music Distribution Policy sets out the rules and requirements governing the submission, management and distribution of music through Metallic Records' distribution service.
By using the distribution service, an artist or record label acknowledges that they are responsible for providing accurate information and for having the necessary rights and permissions for every release submitted.
1. Distribution Service
Metallic Records provides a music distribution service intended to assist artists and record labels with the delivery and management of eligible music releases through approved digital music distribution channels.
Distribution availability may depend on the distribution partners, platforms and technical systems available to Metallic Records at the relevant time.
Metallic Records does not guarantee acceptance of every release by every digital music platform.
2. Who Can Use the Distribution Service
The service may be available to:
- Artists signed or associated with Metallic Records.
- Independent external artists.
- Independent record labels and other approved music businesses.
Metallic Records may review an account or release before accepting it for distribution.
3. Distribution Plans
Metallic Records Artist
Distribution for approved Metallic Records artists.
External Artist
Annual distribution plan for one approved external artist.
External Label
Annual distribution plan for an approved external label.
4. Metallic Records Artists
Approved artists operating under Metallic Records may receive music distribution at no annual distribution subscription fee, subject to their applicable agreement with Metallic Records.
Free distribution does not remove or replace any separate contractual obligations between the artist and Metallic Records.
5. External Artists and Record Labels
External artists and record labels must maintain the applicable annual distribution subscription in order to use the standard paid distribution service.
The applicable annual fee must be paid before an eligible external release proceeds through the distribution workflow.
Payment and subscription processing will be handled through the payment system made available by Metallic Records.
6. Subscription Expiry
External artist and external label subscriptions operate on an annual basis.
When an external subscription reaches its expiry date, the account holder may renew the applicable annual subscription.
Royalty Administration After Expiry:
Where an external artist or record label does not renew its annual distribution subscription but requests that its music remain distributed rather than being removed, Metallic Records may continue administering the distribution of the applicable catalogue under a royalty-based arrangement.
Under that arrangement, Metallic Records will retain 25% of applicable royalties, while the artist or label will receive 75%, subject to the applicable distribution and royalty agreement.
The royalty-based arrangement must be accepted by the applicable artist or label before it becomes effective.
7. Release Submission
Artists and labels must provide complete and accurate release information before a release can be reviewed.
This may include:
- Artist and contributor information.
- Release title and track titles.
- Genre and release type.
- Audio files.
- Cover artwork.
- Producer and songwriter credits.
- Copyright and master-rights information.
- Release and scheduling information.
8. Rights and Ownership
The person or entity submitting music must have the necessary rights, permissions, licences and authority to distribute the submitted material.
A submission must not contain material that the submitting party does not have permission to use or distribute.
This includes, where applicable, music, beats, samples, recordings, artwork, performances, compositions and other protected material.
9. Audio and Artwork Requirements
Submitted audio and artwork must meet the technical and content requirements applicable to the distribution channels being used.
Metallic Records may request a replacement file where submitted audio, artwork or metadata does not meet the required standards.
10. Metadata and Credits
Artists and labels are responsible for ensuring that all metadata and credits supplied with a release are accurate.
Incorrect artist names, songwriter information, producer credits, ownership information or other metadata may delay distribution or require correction.
11. Release Review and Approval
Submission of a release does not automatically guarantee distribution.
Metallic Records may review releases for technical, contractual, rights-related and distribution requirements before submitting them to applicable distribution channels.
12. Digital Music Platforms
Releases may be delivered to digital music services through the distribution infrastructure and partners available to Metallic Records.
Availability on a particular platform depends on that platform's requirements, policies, technical systems and acceptance of the release.
Metallic Records does not guarantee a specific release date, placement, playlist position, editorial consideration, audience size or commercial performance.
13. Royalties and Reporting
Where royalty reporting is available, royalty information will be processed according to the applicable distribution and royalty arrangements.
Royalty payments may be subject to reporting periods, platform processing times, minimum payment thresholds, deductions, applicable fees and other conditions of the relevant distribution arrangement.
14. Takedowns and Catalogue Management
An artist or label may request the removal of a release subject to the applicable distribution and contractual requirements.
Metallic Records may also suspend or remove a release where there are rights disputes, copyright concerns, fraudulent activity, platform violations, inaccurate information or other legitimate distribution concerns.
15. Artist and Label Responsibilities
Artists and labels are responsible for:
- Providing accurate information.
- Maintaining valid contact information.
- Maintaining the necessary rights to submitted material.
- Providing accurate ownership and contributor information.
- Complying with applicable laws and platform requirements.
- Responding to rights or metadata queries when required.
16. Metallic Records Responsibilities
Metallic Records will make reasonable efforts to process eligible releases in accordance with the applicable distribution arrangements.
Metallic Records is not responsible for delays, rejections, outages or policy decisions caused by external digital music platforms or distribution partners.
17. Suspension or Termination
Metallic Records may suspend or terminate distribution services where an account or release breaches this policy, an applicable contract, payment requirements, rights requirements or the rules of a distribution partner.
Where appropriate, the affected artist or label may be notified and given an opportunity to resolve the issue.
18. Agreements and Contracts
This Distribution Policy does not replace separate agreements between Metallic Records and an artist, producer, performer or record label.
Where applicable, separate contractual documents may govern specific professional relationships, including:
- Access Recording Agreement
- Beat / Instrumental License Agreement
- Music Producer Agreement
The applicable agreement must be reviewed and accepted separately where required.
19. Changes to This Distribution Policy
Metallic Records may update this Distribution Policy when necessary to reflect changes to its services, distribution arrangements, payment structure, platform requirements or applicable legal requirements.
Material changes may be communicated through the applicable Metallic Records platform or account communication channels.
20. Applicable Law
This Distribution Policy is intended to operate within the applicable legal framework of the Republic of South Africa, together with any applicable requirements imposed by distribution partners and digital music platforms.
Where a separate signed agreement contains specific contractual terms, that agreement should be read together with this policy.
21. Acceptance
By submitting music through the Metallic Records distribution service, the submitting artist or label confirms that they have read and understood the applicable distribution requirements and agree to comply with this Distribution Policy and any applicable separate agreement.