Global Music Licensing: How to Secure Permissions for Social Media Use

How Companies Track the Use of Their Music: The Technology Behind Music Monitoring

Music rights holders, including publishers and record labels, have developed several methods and technologies to track where and how their music is being used. This is crucial not only to ensure that they are compensated but also to monitor unauthorized usage and potential copyright infringement. Below, we’ll explore how these companies keep tabs on their music across digital platforms and traditional media, like radio.

1. Digital Fingerprinting: The Invisible Code in Every Song

One of the most effective tools used by companies to track their music is audio fingerprinting technology. This system works by analyzing the unique characteristics of a song's audio waveform. Audio fingerprinting software generates a digital "fingerprint" for a song, which can then be compared against a massive database of music tracks.

This fingerprint is a digital signature that uniquely identifies a song, similar to how a human fingerprint is unique. Once this fingerprint is created, it can be tracked as the song plays across social media platforms, streaming services, or even in user-generated content like TikTok videos or YouTube uploads.

Services like Shazam, SoundHound, and platforms like YouTube’s Content ID rely on this technology to identify songs automatically. This means that even if the audio is slightly altered (e.g., sped up, slowed down, or covered by a user), the software can still match it to its database, enabling the rights holders to identify usage and claim royalties.

2. YouTube Content ID System

The YouTube Content ID system is one of the most well-known examples of this technology in action. When a rights holder uploads their music to YouTube's Content ID system, the platform scans all uploaded videos for any matches to the copyrighted songs. If it finds a match, the system either blocks the video, removes it, or monetizes it by placing ads on the video, with revenue being directed to the copyright owner.

The system has millions of tracks in its database and can quickly identify infringing content. YouTube's Content ID doesn't require the user to actively report infringement—the software automatically scans every video uploaded to the platform.

3. Digital Watermarking: A Stealthy Approach

In addition to fingerprinting, digital watermarking is another method employed by music publishers and record labels. This involves embedding an imperceptible code into a song that can track its use without altering the sound quality. The watermark typically contains information such as the track’s origin, the rights holder, and the licensing terms.

When the song is played, the watermark can be detected by specialized software, enabling the rights holder to track its distribution across platforms. Watermarking is particularly useful for monitoring illegal distribution, as it can be used to trace the exact source of unauthorized copies.

4. Radio Stations and Performance Tracking

Radio stations track songs primarily through a combination of playlists, logs, and performance rights organizations (PROs). Here’s how the process works:

• Radio Station Logs: Radio stations are required by law to maintain detailed logs of every song played. These logs are submitted to PROs like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC in the U.S. or PRS for Music in the UK. The logs provide an exact record of which songs were played, when, and how often.
• Performing Rights Organizations (PROs): PROs are responsible for collecting royalties on behalf of songwriters and music publishers. They gather the data from radio stations, TV networks, and digital streaming services to track airplay and public performances. By maintaining relationships with broadcasters, PROs ensure that royalties are distributed to the right holders based on the usage of their music.
• Radio Airplay Monitoring: In addition to logs, some services specifically monitor radio airplay in real time. Companies like MediaBase and Spins track song plays on hundreds of radio stations across the country. These services use specialized software and sampling techniques to provide detailed reports on which songs are being played and how often, giving an accurate view of airplay.

5. Music Usage Tracking Across Streaming Services

Beyond social media and radio, music usage is also tracked across streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. These platforms report play counts to PROs and rights holders, ensuring artists are compensated for their streams. Streaming platforms also use digital fingerprinting technology to manage royalties and ensure that every play is tracked accurately.

In Conclusion

Through the use of audio fingerprinting, watermarking, PROs, and monitoring services, music companies can effectively track their music usage across various platforms. This ensures that they are compensated for their work, helps combat unauthorized use, and enforces copyright law. The combination of these technologies is a crucial aspect of modern music rights management, ensuring that creators and publishers receive the appropriate royalties for their work while protecting their intellectual property.