14 SEPTEMBER 2026
DISTRIBUTORS ADOPT NEW STREAMING-FRAUD SAFEGUARDS

WHAT HAPPENED
More than a dozen music companies backed the Streaming Integrity Initiative. Its voluntary guidelines call for identity and rights checks, content vetting, action against repeat offenders and intelligence-sharing to stop fraudulent uploads and artificial streams.

WHY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS SHOULD CARE
Legitimate releases may face closer checks. Clear ownership records can separate your work from bad actors.

THE DEEPER ARTIST LESSON
Your release needs provenance: who created each element, who owns it and how it was promoted.

WHAT TO DO NOW
• Keep splits, licenses, stems and dated sessions.
• Avoid services promising guaranteed streams.
• Learn your distributor’s review process.

SEVAD’S TAKEAWAY
Clean records protect access and income.

Could you prove every element of your next release is legitimate?