TuneCore asking for documents I don't have as an independent artist – what should I do?
Hi everyone,
I’m an independent artist currently dealing with a rights verification issue involving TuneCore’s Copyright Administration team.
I received an email saying that screenshots are not accepted as proof, and they requested documentation proving exclusive release and monetization rights, such as:
• Signed distribution / label agreement • Reversion / termination notice • Rights assignment document
The issue is that I distribute independently through TuneCore, so:
- I do not have a signed label agreement because there is no third-party label involved.
- I do not have a reversion or termination notice because this recording was never distributed through any previous distributor.
- I do not have a rights assignment document because no rights were transferred from another party.
I have already requested more information regarding the conflicting claim because I’m trying to understand what asset or uploader is creating the conflict.
Has anyone here faced a similar issue as an independent artist?
What documents actually helped resolve it?
Did a self-declaration, ownership letter, timeline document, DAW screenshots, raw files, or distribution records help?
Any advice would really help. Thank you.