Content Distribution Policy

This Policy applies to all Content submitted through the SwaLay platform for distribution to Digital Service Providers (DSPs), telecom operators, social media platforms, and any other third-party channels supported by SwaLay.

“Content” includes, but is not limited to, sound recordings, musical compositions, albums, EPs, singles, ringtones, caller tunes (CRBT), lyrics, cover artwork, metadata, music videos, and any associated promotional materials.

SwaLay acts solely as a distributor and technology intermediary. SwaLay does not claim ownership of any Content submitted by users. All rights, title, and interest in the Content remain with the original rights holder(s) unless otherwise agreed in writing.

By submitting Content to SwaLay for distribution, you grant SwaLay a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, make available, communicate to the public, and otherwise use the Content solely for the purpose of fulfilling its distribution, promotional, and platform operation obligations.

This license includes the right to sublicense Content to DSPs, telecom operators, and other authorized third-party partners as necessary for distribution and monetization purposes.

This license remains in effect for as long as your Content is live on any DSP or platform through SwaLay. Upon successful removal of Content from all platforms (following a takedown request), this license terminates, subject to any obligations that survive termination (such as royalty accounting for past streams).

You retain full ownership of your Content at all times. Nothing in this Policy transfers ownership of your intellectual property to SwaLay.

SwaLay distributes Content to a wide network of DSPs and platforms. The availability of specific platforms may change from time to time as SwaLay adds or removes distribution partners.

3.1 Major Streaming Platforms: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and other global streaming services.

3.2 Indian Streaming Platforms: JioSaavn, Gaana, Wynk Music, Hungama Music, Resso, and other regional Indian platforms.

3.3 Social Media Platforms: Instagram/Facebook (Meta), TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube Shorts, and other social media services that support music integration.

3.4 Download Stores: iTunes, Amazon Music Store, and other platforms offering paid downloads.

3.5 Telecom / CRBT Platforms: Jio Tunes, Airtel Wynk Tunes, Vi Callertunes, BSNL Tunes, and other operator-based caller tune services.

3.6 Lyrics Platforms: Musixmatch, LyricFind, and other lyrics syndication services supported by SwaLay.

3.7 Content ID Systems: YouTube Content ID and other automated content recognition systems.

3.8 Fitness & Lifestyle Platforms: Peloton, TikTok Sound Library, and similar platforms where applicable.

3.9 Emerging Platforms: SwaLay may add new distribution partners at any time. New platforms will be announced through the SwaLay dashboard or official communications.

3.10 Platform Availability: SwaLay does not guarantee that Content will be available on every platform. Certain platforms may have additional requirements, restrictions, or approval processes that may affect availability. SwaLay will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver Content to all selected platforms.

All Content submitted for distribution must meet the following requirements:

4.1 Ownership & Rights: You must be the sole owner of the Content or have obtained all necessary rights, licenses, consents, and permissions from every rights holder (including composers, lyricists, producers, featured artists, sample owners, and any other contributors) to distribute the Content worldwide through all platforms supported by SwaLay.

4.2 Content Declaration: You must complete and sign the SwaLay Content Declaration for each release, affirming your ownership and rights. Any false declaration will result in immediate removal of the Content and may lead to account suspension or termination.

4.3 Original Content: Content must be original or properly licensed. Content that is copied, plagiarized, or infringes upon the intellectual property rights of any third party will be rejected or removed.

4.4 Completeness: Each submission must include all required elements: audio file(s), cover artwork, complete metadata, and any additional materials required by the selected distribution channels (such as lyrics for lyrics distribution or CRBT cut points for caller tune distribution).

4.5 Legal Compliance: Content must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in every jurisdiction where it will be distributed, including but not limited to copyright law, obscenity laws, defamation laws, and any applicable content regulations.

All audio files submitted for distribution must meet the following technical quality standards:

5.1 File Format & Specifications: Audio files must be submitted in WAV format, 16-bit or 24-bit, at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or higher. MP3, AAC, or other compressed formats are not accepted for distribution. FLAC may be accepted in certain cases as specified on the Platform.

5.2 Audio Quality: Tracks must be free of audible defects including but not limited to: clipping, distortion, excessive noise, hum, pops, clicks, digital artifacts, abrupt starts or endings, silence exceeding 10 seconds, and any other quality issues that would result in rejection by DSPs.

5.3 Loudness Standards: SwaLay recommends that masters conform to a target integrated loudness of -14 LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) for optimal playback across streaming platforms. While SwaLay does not enforce a strict loudness requirement, tracks that are excessively loud or excessively quiet may be flagged during review.

5.4 SwaLay Studio Processing: If you use SwaLay Studio for mastering or audio processing, the output will generally meet DSP quality standards. However, it is your responsibility to review and approve all processed audio before submitting it for distribution. SwaLay is not responsible for any quality issues in Studio-processed audio that you have approved for distribution.

Accurate and complete metadata is essential for proper distribution, discoverability, and royalty accounting. All metadata must comply with the following standards:

6.1 Required Metadata: Every release must include: release title, artist name(s), track title(s), genre, sub-genre (if applicable), language, release date, copyright holder (P-line and C-line), producer credits, composer/lyricist credits, and explicit content flag.

6.2 Accuracy: All metadata must be accurate and truthful. Misrepresenting metadata — including using misleading artist names, false genre tags, or inaccurate credits — is a violation of this Policy and may result in Content removal and account suspension.

6.3 Formatting: Metadata must follow standard formatting conventions: proper capitalization (Title Case for titles), no excessive punctuation, no emoji in titles or artist names, no URLs in metadata fields, and no promotional text in title fields (such as “Official Audio” or “Hit Song”).

6.4 ISRC & UPC Codes: SwaLay will assign ISRC codes to each track and UPC codes to each release. These codes are generated under SwaLay's registrant prefix. If you have existing ISRC/UPC codes from a previous distributor, you may provide them during submission, subject to verification.

6.5 Language & Script: Metadata must be provided in the language/script appropriate for the Content. For non-English content, transliterated (romanized) metadata may also be required for certain platforms. SwaLay may request additional translations or transliterations as needed for specific DSPs.

Cover artwork is a mandatory component of every release and must meet the following standards:

7.1 Technical Specifications: Artwork must be submitted as a JPEG or PNG file, minimum 3000x3000 pixels, maximum 10MB file size, in RGB color mode. The image must be square (1:1 aspect ratio) and must not contain any visual artifacts, blur, or pixelation.

7.2 Content Requirements: Artwork must not contain: social media handles or logos, URLs or QR codes, contact information (phone numbers, email addresses), pricing information, references to physical formats (“CD”, “Vinyl”), explicit imagery that violates DSP content policies, copyrighted images or trademarks used without authorization, or misleading visual elements that do not relate to the Content.

7.3 Ownership & Licensing: You must own the artwork or have obtained all necessary licenses and permissions to use it for commercial distribution. This includes rights to any photographs, illustrations, fonts, stock images, or other visual elements incorporated in the artwork.

7.4 AI-Generated Artwork: AI-generated artwork may be accepted, provided that: you have the right to use the output commercially under the AI tool's terms of service, the artwork does not infringe on any existing copyrighted work or trademark, and the artwork meets all other technical and content requirements specified in this section.

Artist names and identities are critical for proper attribution and discoverability. The following rules apply:

• Artist names must represent real individuals or legitimate musical projects. Generic, descriptive, or keyword-stuffing names (e.g., “Best Bollywood Songs”, “Top Hits 2026”) are not permitted.
• You may not use the name of another artist, celebrity, or public figure unless you are that person or have their written authorization.
• Artist names must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or illegal terms.
• Variations or misspellings of existing well-known artist names intended to cause confusion are prohibited.
• Featured artist credits must accurately reflect the contribution of each artist. Falsely crediting artists who did not participate in the recording is prohibited.
• SwaLay reserves the right to reject or modify artist names that violate these rules or that may cause confusion on DSPs.

If your Content includes cover versions, remixes, samples, or interpolations of existing works, the following requirements apply:

9.1 Cover Songs: For cover versions of existing compositions, you must obtain a mechanical license or compulsory license from the original composition rights holder(s) before submitting the Content for distribution. SwaLay does not obtain mechanical licenses on your behalf. You must provide proof of licensing upon request.

9.2 Remixes: For remixes, you must have written authorization from the owner of the original sound recording and the composition. Unauthorized remixes will be rejected or removed upon identification.

9.3 Samples: If your Content contains samples from existing sound recordings or compositions, you must obtain sample clearance from all relevant rights holders before submission. This includes both the master recording owner and the composition owner. Uncleared samples are a violation of this Policy.

9.4 Interpolations: If your Content interpolates (re-records or closely imitates) a portion of an existing composition, you must obtain appropriate licensing from the composition rights holder(s). Interpolations must be accurately disclosed in the metadata and Content Declaration.

SwaLay recognizes the growing role of artificial intelligence in music creation. The following rules apply to AI-generated and AI-assisted Content:

• AI-assisted Content (where AI tools are used to augment human creativity, such as AI mastering, AI mixing, or AI-assisted composition) is generally accepted, provided a meaningful human creative contribution is present in the final work.
• Fully AI-generated Content (where no meaningful human creative input is involved) may be subject to additional scrutiny and may be rejected by certain DSPs. SwaLay reserves the right to reject fully AI-generated Content at its discretion.
• AI-generated Content that imitates, clones, or deepfakes the voice, likeness, or style of a specific existing artist without their explicit written consent is strictly prohibited.
• You must disclose the use of AI in your Content during the submission process where prompted. Failure to disclose AI involvement may result in Content removal.
• You are solely responsible for ensuring that any AI-generated Content does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party, including the training data used by the AI model.
• SwaLay's acceptance of AI-related Content does not constitute a guarantee that any specific DSP will accept or distribute such Content. Individual DSP policies on AI content may vary and are subject to change.

SwaLay Studio offers professional audio processing services including mastering, mixing, spatial audio conversion (Dolby Atmos), stem separation, and other audio enhancement tools.

• You retain full ownership of all original Content and any audio produced through SwaLay Studio processing.
• SwaLay Studio processing is provided on an “as-is” basis. While SwaLay strives for high-quality output, results may vary depending on the quality of the source material.
• It is your sole responsibility to review, approve, or reject Studio-processed audio before submitting it for distribution. Once you approve and submit processed audio for distribution, SwaLay is not liable for any quality-related issues.
• SwaLay may use anonymized, aggregated data from Studio usage to improve its AI models and processing algorithms, without identifying you or your Content.
• SwaLay Studio services may be subject to additional fees, usage limits, or fair-use policies as specified on the Platform.

All Content submitted through SwaLay undergoes a review process before distribution:

12.1 Review Process: SwaLay reviews all submissions for compliance with this Policy, DSP requirements, and applicable laws. The review process typically takes 24–72 hours but may take longer during high-volume periods or for Content requiring additional scrutiny.

12.2 Approval: If your Content meets all requirements, it will be approved and queued for distribution to the selected platforms. Approval by SwaLay does not guarantee acceptance by any specific DSP, as each platform applies its own content policies.

12.3 Rejection: If your Content does not meet the requirements, it will be rejected with a reason provided. You may correct the issues and resubmit. Common reasons for rejection include: poor audio quality, incomplete or inaccurate metadata, non-compliant artwork, missing rights documentation, and content policy violations.

12.4 Post-Distribution Review: SwaLay reserves the right to review and remove Content at any time after distribution if it is found to violate this Policy, DSP policies, or applicable laws. Post-distribution removal may occur based on complaints, DMCA/copyright notices, DSP flags, or SwaLay's own monitoring.

The following types of Content are strictly prohibited and will be rejected or removed from distribution:

13.1 Copyright-Infringing Content: Any Content that infringes upon the copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights of any third party, including unauthorized covers, remixes, samples, or reproductions.

13.2 Fraudulent or Misleading Content: Content submitted with false metadata, fake artist identities, manipulated streams or engagement, or any other deceptive practices.

13.3 Hate Speech & Discrimination: Content that promotes hatred, violence, or discrimination against any individual or group based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

13.4 Illegal Content: Content that promotes, glorifies, or facilitates illegal activities, including but not limited to drug trafficking, terrorism, child exploitation, or human trafficking.

13.5 Non-Musical Content: Recordings that are not musical in nature, including but not limited to: sound effects uploaded as music, nature sounds without musical composition, white noise or static, spoken word without musical elements (unless categorized as podcast or spoken word genre), and recordings of copyrighted non-musical works (audiobooks, lectures, etc.).

13.6 Spam or Low-Quality Content: Content that is substantially similar to previously submitted Content (duplicate uploads), mass-produced low-effort content intended to game streaming algorithms, or content with no artistic merit created solely for royalty generation.

13.7 Unauthorized Personal Content: Content that contains personal information, voice recordings, or likeness of individuals without their consent.

13.8 Platform-Restricted Content: Content that has been previously removed or banned by DSPs for policy violations. Attempting to re-upload removed content under different metadata is a serious violation of this Policy.

SwaLay operates on a non-exclusive distribution model unless otherwise specified in a separate agreement:

• You are free to distribute your Content through other distributors simultaneously, provided that doing so does not create conflicts (such as duplicate ISRC codes or competing claims on the same recording on the same platform).
• If the same Content is distributed through multiple distributors to the same platform, it may result in takedowns, content conflicts, or monetization issues. SwaLay is not responsible for conflicts arising from multi-distributor distribution.
• Certain premium services, promotional opportunities, or platform partnerships offered by SwaLay may require exclusivity for a defined period. Such terms will be clearly communicated and require your separate consent.
• If you switch to another distributor, you must request a takedown of your Content from SwaLay before or simultaneously with distributing through the new provider to avoid duplication.

SwaLay collects royalties from DSPs on your behalf and distributes them in accordance with the following terms and the SwaLay Royalty Sharing Policy:

15.1 Revenue Collection: SwaLay collects all revenue generated by your Content from DSPs, including streaming royalties, download revenue, Content ID revenue, CRBT revenue, and any other monetization income. Revenue is collected in the currency paid by each DSP and converted to Indian Rupees (INR) for accounting and payment purposes.

15.2 Commission & Revenue Share: SwaLay retains a commission as specified in your subscription plan or separate agreement. The remaining revenue is credited to your SwaLay wallet. Commission rates are detailed in the Royalty Sharing Policy and/or your plan documentation.

15.3 Payment Schedule & Thresholds: Royalties are processed and made available for withdrawal on a schedule as specified on the Platform. Payments are subject to minimum payout thresholds. If your balance does not meet the minimum threshold, it will be carried forward to the next payment cycle.

15.4 Taxes & Deductions: You are solely responsible for all taxes applicable to your royalty income. SwaLay may deduct applicable taxes (such as TDS under Indian tax law) before processing payments, as required by law. SwaLay does not provide tax advice.

15.5 Fraud & Artificial Streaming: SwaLay actively monitors for artificial streaming, bot-generated plays, stream manipulation, and other fraudulent activities. If fraudulent activity is detected on your Content, SwaLay reserves the right to withhold royalties, deduct fraudulently generated revenue, suspend your account, and/or remove your Content from distribution. DSPs may also independently deduct revenue associated with fraudulent streams.

Your Content, once distributed through SwaLay, becomes subject to the terms, conditions, and content policies of each individual DSP and platform. You acknowledge and agree that:

• Each DSP has its own content policies, quality standards, and editorial guidelines that may affect the availability or presentation of your Content.
• DSPs may reject, remove, or restrict Content at their sole discretion, independent of SwaLay's approval.
• Delivery times to DSPs vary and SwaLay does not guarantee specific delivery dates or availability timelines.
• DSP reporting timelines vary, which may result in delays between when streams or downloads occur and when they appear in your analytics or royalty statements.
• SwaLay is not responsible for any actions taken by DSPs regarding your Content, including removals, restrictions, or changes to platform terms.
• Changes to DSP terms or policies may affect how your Content is distributed, monetized, or displayed, and SwaLay will make reasonable efforts to communicate material changes.

SwaLay offers automated distribution of Content as Caller Ring Back Tones (CRBT) to supported telecom operators. The following terms apply:

• CRBT distribution is available to telecom operators including Jio, Airtel, Vi (Vodafone-Idea), and BSNL, subject to operator availability and acceptance.
• CRBT content must meet the specific technical and content requirements of each telecom operator. SwaLay may process or trim audio files to meet operator specifications.
• CRBT revenue is collected from telecom operators and distributed to you in accordance with the Royalty Sharing Policy. CRBT revenue timelines may differ from streaming royalty timelines.
• Telecom operators may remove or restrict CRBT content at their discretion, and SwaLay is not responsible for such actions.
• CRBT distribution may not be available for all Content or in all regions. Availability depends on operator partnerships and content suitability.

SwaLay supports the distribution of song lyrics to supported lyrics platforms and streaming services for synchronized display during playback:

• Lyrics must be accurate, complete, and match the audio recording exactly.
• Lyrics must be submitted in the correct language and script. Transliterated or translated versions may be provided in addition to the original lyrics.
• Synced (time-stamped) lyrics are preferred where supported. Unsynced (plain text) lyrics may also be accepted.
• You must own the rights to the lyrics or have obtained a synchronization license from the lyricist/composer. Lyrics for cover songs require appropriate licensing from the original rights holder.
• Lyrics containing explicit content must be accurately flagged during submission.
• SwaLay distributes lyrics to platforms such as Musixmatch, LyricFind, Apple Music, Spotify, and others as supported.

SwaLay provides YouTube Content ID registration and management services for eligible Content:

• Content ID allows your music to be automatically detected when used in YouTube videos, enabling monetization of user-generated content that incorporates your recordings.
• By opting into Content ID, you authorize SwaLay to register your Content in the YouTube Content ID system and manage claims on your behalf.
• Content ID is only available for original content that you fully own. Cover songs, remixes using third-party recordings, Content with uncleared samples, and Content containing public domain or royalty-free elements are not eligible for Content ID registration.
• False or improper Content ID claims can result in penalties from YouTube, including loss of Content ID access. SwaLay reserves the right to remove Content from the Content ID system if it determines that claims are improper or fraudulent.
• Content ID revenue is collected and distributed in accordance with the Royalty Sharing Policy.
• You may request release of Content ID claims at any time. Processing of release requests may take up to 30 days.

Content removal may be initiated by you, by SwaLay, or by third parties under the following circumstances:

20.1 Artist-Initiated Takedown: You may request removal of your Content from distribution at any time through the SwaLay dashboard. Takedown requests are processed within 24–48 hours by SwaLay, but removal from individual DSPs may take additional time (typically 7–14 business days, though some platforms may take longer).

20.2 SwaLay-Initiated Removal: SwaLay reserves the right to remove Content at any time if it determines, at its sole discretion, that the Content violates this Policy, our Terms of Service, applicable laws, or DSP content policies. SwaLay may also remove Content in response to valid copyright complaints or legal requests.

20.3 Third-Party Takedown Requests: If SwaLay receives a valid copyright infringement notice (such as a DMCA takedown notice) or other legal complaint regarding your Content, SwaLay will process the takedown in accordance with applicable law and our Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy. You will be notified and may submit a counter-notice if you believe the takedown was issued in error.

20.4 Post-Takedown Obligations: After Content is removed from distribution, SwaLay will continue to account for and pay any royalties earned by the Content prior to removal, subject to the standard payment schedule and thresholds. The license granted to SwaLay terminates upon successful removal from all platforms, except as necessary to fulfill remaining royalty accounting obligations.

SwaLay reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account and remove your Content from distribution under the following circumstances:

• Violation of this Policy, the Terms of Service, or any other SwaLay policy.
• Submission of Content that infringes third-party intellectual property rights.
• Engaging in fraudulent activity, including artificial streaming, fake accounts, or stream manipulation.
• Providing false or misleading information during registration, Content submission, or in the Content Declaration.
• Repeated submission of Content that does not meet quality or metadata standards after being notified of deficiencies.
• Non-payment of any fees owed to SwaLay.
• Use of the Platform in any manner that could damage, disable, or impair the Platform or interfere with other users.
• Any activity that exposes SwaLay to legal liability or reputational harm.

In cases of account termination, SwaLay will make commercially reasonable efforts to pay any outstanding royalties owed to you, minus any deductions for damages, chargebacks, or amounts owed to SwaLay. SwaLay's obligations under the Royalty Sharing Policy survive termination to the extent of accounting for pre-termination earnings.

In addition to the rights specified elsewhere in this Policy, SwaLay reserves the following rights:

• The right to modify, update, or discontinue any aspect of the Platform, distribution services, or features at any time, with or without notice.
• The right to set and enforce quality standards, content policies, and submission requirements, and to change these standards at any time.
• The right to use your artist name, likeness, and Content excerpts for promotional purposes related to SwaLay's platform and services, unless you specifically opt out in writing.
• The right to cooperate with law enforcement, regulatory authorities, and rights holders in investigating potential violations of law or intellectual property rights.
• The right to assign or transfer this Policy and SwaLay's rights and obligations to a successor entity in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
• The right to seek injunctive relief, specific performance, or other equitable remedies in addition to any other remedies available at law.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SWALAY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF GOODWILL, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS POLICY OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY.

SwaLay's total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to this Policy shall not exceed the total amount of royalties actually paid to you by SwaLay in the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

SwaLay is not liable for any actions, omissions, or decisions made by DSPs, telecom operators, or other third-party platforms regarding your Content, including but not limited to content removals, monetization decisions, reporting delays, or policy changes.

SwaLay does not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components. The Platform and all services are provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

SwaLay reserves the right to update, modify, or replace this Policy at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting the updated Policy on the Platform with a revised “Last Updated” date.

For material changes that significantly affect your rights or obligations, SwaLay will make reasonable efforts to provide advance notice through the Platform dashboard, email, or other appropriate channels.

Your continued use of the Platform and distribution services after changes to this Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy. If you do not agree with any changes, you must discontinue use of the Platform and request removal of your Content.

It is your responsibility to review this Policy periodically for updates. The most current version will always be available on the SwaLay website.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this Content Distribution Policy, please contact us:

SwaLay Digital
(A part of TalantonCore LLP)
TalantonCore HO, Graphix Tower - 2, A-13, Sector 62 Ground Floor, Noida
Sector 62, Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar- 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India

General Inquiries: swalay.care@talantoncore.in
Content & Distribution: swalay.care@talantoncore.in
Grievance Officer: swalay.care@talantoncore.in
Website: https://swalay.in

We will make every effort to respond to your inquiries within 48 hours during business days.