Someone is distributing your song without permission: how to protect it in 3 steps
You suspect someone is distributing your song without permission — or you just want to make sure that isn't happening. DistroShield searches for copies of your song across Spotify, Apple Music and other platforms, gives you the signed evidence, and prepares the official letter ready to send to the platform asking them to take the copy down. All in 3 steps.
Before you start: the 3 copy types the analysis can detect
When DistroShield finds your track published elsewhere, the result falls into one of these three categories. Useful to know what to expect before running the analysis in step 1.
Case A — Exact copy (same audio)
The system found your master re-uploaded under another label or artist. The audio fingerprint matches 100%. → Standard DMCA takedown. High success rate.
Case B — Modified copy (vocal overlay, remix, direct cover)
The system found a partial match: they used your instrumental or part of your audio with changes. → You need evidence of the matched segment and to prove unauthorized derivation.
Case C — Identity impersonation (similar-name profile, fake collab)
The audio is different but they use your artist name, photo, or claim it's a collab with you. This case isn't caught by the audio analysis — you find it yourself, and DistroShield gives you the evidence of your original work. → Impersonation report to the DSP + takedown.
The rest of the tutorial applies to all three cases with minor differences in the final template.
The 3 steps
1Upload your original and let the system find the copy
Go to distroshield.com/lookup. Upload your original version or paste the link to your legitimate track. The system cross-references the audio against the global commercial catalog and returns every occurrence of the same material — including releases published under a different label or artist. You don't need to know where the copy is: the engine finds it. With the credit pack ($5 for 10 analyses, credits never expire), you download the signed PDF certificate documenting each match.
2Turn on weekly Shield on your song
Any paid analysis enables automatic monitoring: DistroShield rechecks your song each week to see if it appears under a different identity in the global catalog. If a new duplicate shows up, you get an email with the link and the evidence ready. This turns a one-off check into continuous protection with zero effort on your side.
Shield: INACTIVE
No monitoring. If someone uploads a copy under a different distributor, you won't know.
Shield: ACTIVE
Weekly monitoring on. We email you if a copy appears or if your metadata gets altered.
This is how the Shield looks on the track report inside your account.
3Send the official takedown request to the platform
This request is called a DMCA takedown — it's the standard mechanism streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube Music, TIDAL) use to process removal of music published without the author's permission. Each platform has its own form, but they all require the same data: link to the infringing track, proof you own the original, and evidence of the match. Use the template below, attach the signed certificate. Typical response: 3-10 business days.
Start with step 1:
Search for copies of my song →Official takedown request template (copy and adapt)
Rules: always use your legal name, not a pseudonym; include the perjury clause (DSPs require it); never threaten litigation in the same email.
Speed matters: every week a duplicate stays live diverts royalties, pollutes your analytics, and damages your relationship with the DSP. The weekly Shield keeps the work done.
Protect my song now →