Hello! This guide details the mandatory rules for distributing your music with Navio International. It's critical that you understand and stick to each point to avoid issues with your releases and your account. We operate globally and these rules apply to all of our artists, without exception.
1. What music CAN you distribute? (Read Carefully!)
In order for your music to be accepted, it must strictly meet one of these two conditions. There are no middle ground or exceptions.
Option 1: The Music is 100% Original and Exclusively Yours. This means that EACH and EVERY one of the following points must be met, WITHOUT EXCEPTION:
You (and only you, or duly documented co-authors) created or created the entire lyrics.
You (and only you, or duly documented co-authors) created the entirety of the melody.
You are the legal and exclusive owner of the complete sound recording (the "master"). This implies that you financed or made the recording and did not assign the rights to anyone else.
The music contains absolutely NO element (not a second of audio, not a melody line, not a word of lyrics) that has been created by someone else.
Clarification on Beats and "Own" Samples: Creating a "own" beat or sample means having built it from scratch, using your own ideas, instruments and/or sounds for which you have a license to use music creation (e.g. sound libraries purchased with appropriate license).
It is NOT ORIGINAL to simply modify, add layers, change tempo, or "strongly inspire" a beat or sample downloaded or taken from another source. That modified material still belongs to the original creator and requires a license (falls under Option 2). If you, as an artist, actually created the beat/sample from scratch, without using the pre-existing work of others as a direct basis, then you do own and this point is fulfilled.
IMPORTANT: It is not enough to meet just a few of these points. If ONE ONLY is missing (including the correct interpretation of "own" in beats/samples), your music is NOT considered 100% original for distribution purposes under this option.
Option 2: You have VALID and VERIFIABLE LEGAL PERMISSIONS (Licenses) for ALL Third Party Material.
If your music includes ANYTHING that does not meet ALL the requirements of Option 1 (e.g. it is a cover, it uses samples, it uses beats from others -including those modified, but not created from scratch by you-, it includes an undocumented collaboration), you MUST need an OFFICIAL PHYSICAL OR DIGITAL WRITTEN PERMISSION (LICENSE) for EVERY ELEMENT that is not 100% yours.
This license must explicitly authorize you to commercially distribute and monetize on digital platforms globally (or in the territories where you will be distributing).
You must be able to present these documents (licenses) if requested by Navio International.
Conclusion: Either your music meets ALL the requirements of Option 1 (including the original creation of beats/samples from scratch), or you need to have ALL the licenses required under Option 2. There is no other way.
2. What Music is ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED?
We reiterate and emphasize the content that WILL NEVER BE ACCEPTED:
Music without ALL required licenses: Covers without a valid mechanical license.
Songs with ANY sample without the TWO licenses (master and composition), songs using beats without the proper commercial license (includes beats downloaded and modified without a license).Any material where you can't prove full ownership (Option 1) or full licenses (Option 2).
Remixes not authorized in writing by ALL original rights holders.
"Soundalike" recordings that attempt to fraudulently imitate other artists.
Recordings with poor audio quality.
False, misleading, or incomplete information (metadata) on the submission form.
Unmarked, hateful, or explicit content.
Public domain content without significant and original artistic transformation.
AI-generated music that infringes rights or whose chain of ownership is not clear and demonstrable.
3. Why are we so demanding?
Our strict policies are not optional, they are necessary for:
Legal Obligation: International copyright laws are clear. Violating them exposes us and you to serious legal penalties.
Contracts with Platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, etc., contractually require us to guarantee the legality of the content. Failure to comply puts the distribution of ALL our catalog at risk.
Artist Financial Protection: We prevent your royalties from being frozen or claimed by third parties due to violations. We want you to get paid for what is legally yours.
Integrity and Professionalism: We maintain Navio International's reputation as a serious and legally responsible distributor.
Strict compliance with these rules is the basis of our professional relationship.
4. Covers, Beats, and Samples: The Absolute Need for Licensing
Covers:
COMPULSORY Mechanical License. No exceptions.
Obtaining: It is YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY to obtain it BEFORE submitting the cover. Navio International does NOT manage licenses. You must use third-party services such as Easy Song Licensing (easysong.com).
Cost (Estimated): Variable. For reference (US), it can be around 12 cents per download/physical copy + service fee, or fractions of a cent per stream. Easy Song will give you the final cost.
Voucher: You must have and be able to present the license document if requested.
Beats y Samples:
Samples: NO use of ANY sample without BOTH licenses (song and recording). The size or duration of the sample is irrelevant.
Third-Party Beats: You need a contract or license from the producer that GUARANTEES the right to unlimited commercial distribution and that the beat is free of unauthorized samples. Check this thoroughly. This also applies to beats downloaded and modified by you; The modification does not give you ownership.
No Documents = No Distribution: If you don't have the full legal documentation for every beat or sample you didn't create from scratch, DON'T SUBMIT THE SONG.
5. IMMEDIATE Consequences of Non-Compliance
If our systems or equipment detect a violation:
Automatic Rejection: The launch is not processed.
Takedown: Immediate removal from all platforms if it has already been distributed.
Freeze/Withholding of Royalties: Funds generated by the infringing content will be withheld and potentially redirected.
Formal notification required: You will be informed of the specific violation.
Application of Sanctions: Procedure will be taken according to the severity (see point 7).
6. Lying on the Submission Form (music.minavio.com.mx) - Zero Tolerance
Providing false information (e.g., marking a cover as original, hiding samples, claiming to have created a beat when only an existing one was modified) is considered fraud and one of the most serious offenses.
Detection: It is highly likely to be detected by our systems or those of the platforms.
Automatic and Unappealable Consequences:
Immediate rejection/withdrawal.
Withholding of ALL associated royalties.
IMMEDIATE suspension and potential permanent closure of your account.
Possible significant financial fines.
Irreparable damage to your credibility.
Absolute honesty in the information provided is non-negotiable.
7. Applicable Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violations will result in progressive or direct sanctions depending on the severity:
Formal warnings registered in your account.
Mandatory and permanent removal of infringing content.
Definitive withholding and/or redirection of royalties.
Imposition of economic fines to cover costs and damages.
Temporary suspension of the account (inability to upload music).
DEFINITIVE suspension of the account.
Possible legal action by rights holders.
8. Methods of Detecting Violations
We use multiple layers of control:
Advanced Audio Fingerprint Technology.
Rigorous Metadata Analysis.
Review by Content and Legal Specialists.
Audits and Reports of Digital Platforms.
Management of Third-Party Complaints (DMCA/Copyright Claims).
Our system is designed to identify violations effectively.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: If I wrote the lyrics but used a "free" YouTube beat, is the song mine?
A: NO. You need a permit (license) from the owner of the beat that says CLEAR that you can use it to SELL your music. Many "free" beats are not good for that. Even if you change things to the beat, it's still not yours. Without permission, do not upload it.
Q: Can I use a small piece of another song (sample) without permission?
A: NO. It doesn't matter if it's short or long. Using ANY part of another's recording requires permission (both the song and the recording licenses).
Q: I bought a permission (license) for a beat, but it says "non-exclusive." Serves?
A: READ THAT PERMISSION CAREFULLY. Make sure it says you can use it to sell your music everywhere (Spotify, Apple, etc.). If it says "non-exclusive," it means that other artists can also use that same beat legally. Also check that the seller ensures that the beat does not use "pirated" samples.
Q: Does Easy Song Licensing help me get permission to use samples?
A: NO, almost never. Easy Song is mainly for getting permission (mechanical license) from covers (singing songs by others). Getting permission for samples is more difficult; Usually you have to speak directly to the owners of the song and the original recording.
Q: My friend let me use his beat, he gave me permission to speak. Is that enough?
A: NO. You need a signed paper (agreement or license). There it must clearly say that it gives you permission to use it and sell your music. Words are carried away by the wind and then problems come. All in writing!
Q: I don't know if I need permission (license) for something I used in my song. What should I do?
A: If in doubt, it's best to think that you DO need permission. Do your research or ask someone who knows about music laws. If you are still hesitating, DO NOT UPLOAD THE SONG. Prevention is better.
Q: Do you (Navio or my label) help me get the permits (licenses)?
A: NO. Getting all the necessary permits is your job as an artist. You have to do it BEFORE you send us the music.
Q: I downloaded "royalty-free" sounds from a page. Ready to go?
A: NOT QUITE. Save the paper (license) or website where it says you CAN use them to SELL your music. Read those rules well, sometimes they have pitfalls (like not being able to use a sound). If we ask you, you have to show us that permission.
Q: I did a song with my friend. How do we do it?
A: Make a written agreement (called a "split sheet") that says CLEARLY what part each person did (lyrics, music, etc.) and how the royalties are going to be distributed. You both need to sign and agree. When you upload the song, put your friend's name as a co-writer.
Q: Can I remix a song of mine that I have already released before?
A: IF the song is still 100% yours, YES. That is, if you didn't sell the rights to anyone (like another record label). If it's not all yours anymore, you need to ask the new rights holder for permission.
Q: I found a recording of my grandparents, from a thousand years ago. Can I use it?
A: WATERS! The song (lyrics/music) chance already belongs to everyone (public domain), but the specific RECORDING you found (the audio) surely has an owner (who recorded it, fixed it or sold it). It is very risky to use. Better record YOURSELF your own version of that old song, if the song is already in the public domain.
Q: I want to make sleep music with rain sounds. Can I use sounds I downloaded from the internet?
A: If YOU recorded the rain, yes you can. If you downloaded the rain sound from the internet or from a record, you need to check if you have permission (license) to use that specific sound and SELL your music with it. Not all "free" sounds are good for that.
Q: I used an Artificial Intelligence (AI) app to make a beat for me. Can I upload it?
A: CHECK THE SMALL PRINT of the app! You need to be 100% sure that the app gives you a permission (license) that says that beat is ALL YOURS and that you can use it to SELL your music without any problems. If the app doesn't say it CLARO or you have doubts, it's better not to use it to distribute.
Final Conclusion: Strict adherence to these content and licensing rules is the only way to work with Navio International. Make sure you have 100% of the rights (creating everything from scratch) or all the necessary licenses in a verifiable way before submitting any material. We value your creativity, but legality and respect for copyright are our top priority.