A recent video about Symphonic has come to our attention from a creator called “Top Music Attorney”, which includes several inaccurate claims about our company… and we’d like to clear some things up. This is the second time this creator has published content about us, and in both instances, we believe some important context has been left out, presenting us in a misleading light.
From the very beginning, we’ve always supported open dialogue and constructive critique. At the same time, we also believe it is important that discussions around complex topics like distribution agreements and artist rights are grounded in complete accuracy and full context. To clear up some of these misleading claims, we’d like to explain our perspective and clarify how our platform and agreements actually work.
We encourage you to review this information directly and form your own conclusions about us.
The following addresses some key points raised in the video…
Breaking Down the Claims: A Response to “Top Music Attorney”
Visibility of the Agreement
The suggestion that Symphonic “hides” its contract or presents it in a deceptive way does not align with how our platform actually functions.
For web-based clients, particularly those considering Starter, the Digital Distribution Agreement is presented multiple times before signup.
- It appears twice on the Starter page: https://symphonic.com/starter/
- It is also available as a standalone page: https://symphonic.com/starter-terms-and-conditions/
In addition, it’s shown again during the signup flow, including the pop-up referenced in the video. In practice, the agreement is intentionally surfaced repeatedly and is publicly accessible.
In an attempt to be even more accessible for artists of various sizes, Symphonic offers custom agreements beyond Starter and Partner programs. Clients also have the opportunity to review terms in advance and may involve legal counsel as part of that process.
Terms of Use vs. Contract
The video appears to conflate the Terms of Use with the Digital Distribution Agreement. These are different documents that serve different purposes.
The Terms of Use outline general platform rules and are applicable to all users. The Digital Distribution Agreement governs the specific business relationship, including rights, revenue, and obligations. It may also be negotiated depending on the nature of the relationship, and we regularly work with legal representatives in that context.
Combining these concepts can create confusion about how agreements are actually structured in practice.
Pressure to Sign Up
The suggestion that users are pressured into signing up is not consistent with how the platform operates and is simply not true. Participation is entirely voluntary. Artists and labels can choose whether or not to use Symphonic, just as they do with any distribution or platform service.
Presenting terms during signup is a standard practice intended to ensure users can make informed decisions.
Older vs. Newer Agreements
It is accurate that earlier versions of our Terms of Use differ from our current versions. This reflects the reality that agreements evolve over time as services, technology, and industry standards change.
We have also made efforts to improve clarity and readability in an attempt to make agreements more understandable, not less.
We aim to support transparency, not detract from it.
“Control” of Music
The characterization of Symphonic as having “control” over client music is also misleading without additional context.
Symphonic does not take ownership of client content. Clients retain full ownership at all times.
Our role is based on a limited contractual right to distribute and monetize content on behalf of the client.
This structure is standard across the distribution industry. While agreements may include exclusivity during the term, that exclusivity is intended to support operational requirements such as DSP relationships and reporting.
It does not transfer ownership or underlying rights.
Artist Control and Flexibility
Artists maintain control over key aspects of their releases, including release dates, territories, DSP selection, and the ability to remove content. Default settings are based on common preferences, but they can be adjusted by the user at any time.
These controls are designed to provide flexibility rather than restrict it.
Platform Selection and Defaults
Default DSP selections and “select all” functionality are widely used interface features intended to simplify workflows. Users can opt out of any DSP and are not required to distribute globally.
Interpreting these features as “limiting choice” does not accurately reflect their intended purpose.
Money and Royalties
The video suggests that Symphonic “controls” user funds. What we actually do is act as a distributor. We collect revenue from DSPs, account for it, and distribute it to rights holders.
This model is consistent across the industry. To date, we have distributed hundreds of millions in royalties under this structure.
Contract Length and Fees
The length of our agreement reflects the wide range of services we offer. Distribution today includes areas such as YouTube Content ID, UGC monetization, and other services that require infrastructure and ongoing management.
Charging a percentage for certain services is standard practice across the industry. Comparable models are used by companies such as TuneCore, DistroKid, CD Baby, and many others.
These details are publicly available right here, and we recommend you check them out for yourselves.
Renewals and Term
Annual renewal structures are common across subscription-based distribution platforms. Clients receive advance notice and can cancel if they choose not to continue.
AI-Generated Terms of Use Claim
The suggestion that our Terms of Use were generated by AI is not accurate.
The document simply follows standard legal formatting and structure.
AI Training and Content Usage
The claim that client content is used for AI training without consent is also not accurate. This would require clear disclosure, a separate agreement, and explicit opt-in.
AI dataset licensing is not part of the standard distribution agreement.
Compliance, Trust, and Safety
Our Trust and Safety policies are publicly available: https://symphonic.com/trust-and-safety/
These policies reflect broader industry practices in response to fraud and abuse. Identity verification and compliance processes are intended to protect artists, partners, and platform integrity.
The reality is that fraud is rampant across the industry, and we have built policies, positions, procedures, and contractual safeguards specifically to address it.
At its core, the principle is simple. If you are an artist creating original, genuine work and not attempting to game the system, these protections are built to protect you. They exist to protect the ecosystem, not restrict legitimate creators.
Distributors are not operating in a vacuum. They are accessible, and they listen. If you have questions or concerns, engaging with them directly will always lead to more clarity than speculation.
Final Thoughts…
Constructive criticism is a valuable tool, and we believe it plays an important role in improving the industry.
At the same time, context matters. When complex topics are presented without full context, it can lead to added confusion, particularly for artists who are trying their best to make important decisions about their careers.
We encourage anyone evaluating distribution options to review primary sources, compare multiple perspectives, and seek independent advice if needed.
Truthfully, this situation has provided us with an opportunity to further clarify aspects of our platform; something we are always working to do as we continue to grow as a company.
- For example, we have added additional context to our partners page here if you’d like to learn more about our services.
- We have also reinforced our position on AI here.
We’d like to reiterate here that Symphonic does not submit client content for AI training or dataset licensing without explicit awareness and consent.
Ultimately, artists deserve clarity, not distortion. When complex topics are reduced to selective interpretations or framed in a way that prioritizes reaction over accuracy, it does a disservice to the very audience it claims to protect.
We encourage readers to always question information that feels one-sided, overly certain, or lacking full context, and to verify those claims against primary sources.
In an industry as nuanced as music distribution, please remember that confident delivery and headline-driven narratives should not be mistaken for factual authority, and conclusions are only as reliable as the information they are built on.
Always do your own research.
The details matter, and they’re worth getting right.
