DISTROBOLT ARTIST GUIDES
Record label, copyright and phonographic lines explained
The label field, the copyright line and the phonographic line describe different information. Prepare them from the actual release records and ask the authorised rights contact to resolve uncertainty before submission.
Keep the three fields distinct
The label field names the label associated with the release. The © line generally identifies copyright information for the release material; the ℗ line concerns the sound recording. The relevant year and named party need to reflect the actual rights position. A label name alone is not evidence that the label owns every recording or artwork asset.
Build a field approval record
For each field, write the proposed text, its source document and the person authorised to approve it. Example: a self-releasing artist may use an approved label identity while an artwork licence names a different rights party. Do not force all fields to match for visual tidiness. Have disputed or unclear ownership reviewed against the relevant agreement.
Separate credits from payment arrangements
A producer credit, label name or phonographic line does not establish a collaborator’s payout percentage. Maintain accepted recording-income splits and any publishing arrangements in their appropriate records. Do not change those records just because a store displays a rights line differently. Keep the submitted metadata snapshot with the approved audio version.
Verify destination formatting and display
Apple publishes metadata and rights-line requirements for its deliveries; other destinations may display information differently. Ask DistroBolt which fields and formatting are supported in your actual release workflow. After delivery, compare the public result with the approved source. If a correction is necessary, send the exact field and intended replacement through the distribution support route.
Sources and review
Reviewed 4 November 2026. Platform requirements and plan terms can change. Examples are planning aids, not a promise of account access, release acceptance or earnings.
Continue your release planning
- Plan overlapping releases without competing with yourself
- UPC versus ISRC: identify the product and the recording
- Contact distribution support with a case they can resolve
Ask the DistroBolt team about your release. Send a concise question and release reference; never send account passwords or verification codes.