Welcome to the Content Management System (“CMS” or “Service”) provided by McArthur Digital Distro LLC (“McArthur Digital,” “we,” or “our”). By creating an account or accessing our services, you agree to the following Terms of Service (“Terms”), which form a legally binding agreement between you (“User” or “you”) and McArthur Digital Distro LLC. These Terms govern your access to and use of our CMS platform, including all tools, features, and services designed for digital music distribution.
1. Scope of Services
McArthur Digital provides a comprehensive digital distribution service via the CMS, enabling users to distribute music to major Digital Service Providers (DSPs) such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and others. Key offerings include:
- Global distribution to streaming platforms.
- Performance analytics and insights.
- Marketing tools to enhance visibility.
- Fraud detection and prevention systems.
- Sync licensing opportunities for media placements.
- Copyright management and Content ID through YouTube.
2. Account Creation and Eligibility
To use the CMS, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old, or have parental consent if you are underage.
- Provide accurate, up-to-date account information.
- Only upload content for which you own or control all necessary rights.
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and notifying McArthur Digital immediately of any unauthorized use.
3. Content Requirements and Guidelines
All content submitted to the CMS must meet the following standards:
- You must own or control all rights necessary to distribute, monetize, and modify the content.
- Content must be original, not infringe on any copyright, and respect the intellectual property rights of others.
- Metadata, artwork, and all associated information must be accurate and should not contain any misleading or incorrect information.
4. Rights and Permissions
By using the Service, you grant McArthur Digital a worldwide, non-exclusive license to distribute, promote, and monetize your content across selected DSPs. This license includes the right to sublicense your content to DSPs, allowing them to distribute, stream, and monetize your content in accordance with their respective policies.
5. Content Delivery and Quality Control
McArthur Digital reserves the right to reject or remove content from the CMS if:
- It does not meet the technical and legal standards set by DSPs.
- It violates copyright or other intellectual property laws.
- It is flagged for artificial streaming or other fraudulent activity.
McArthur Digital strives to ensure smooth and timely delivery to DSPs, though occasional delays may occur. In such cases, we will communicate any delays impacting distribution and work to resolve them as swiftly as possible.
6. Fraudulent Streaming Detection and Penalties
McArthur Digital employs advanced artificial streaming detection systems in collaboration with DSPs to monitor and prevent fraudulent activities, including automated streaming, artificial play counts, and other deceptive practices.
- Detection and Fines: If more than 90% of your streams on any DSP are flagged as fraudulent, DSPs may impose fines on your account, which McArthur Digital may pass on to you as a penalty.
- Warning: McArthur Digital will issue a warning if unusual or artificial streaming activity is detected. Repeat violations may lead to account restrictions or additional fines.
- Termination: Consistent or serious fraudulent activity will result in account termination, forfeiting all earnings and pending payouts. DSPs may also blacklist your content, barring it from future distribution.
7. Earnings and Payouts
Earnings are calculated based on streaming revenue, sync licensing, and other monetization methods. Payouts are processed according to McArthur Digital’s payment schedule and are available for withdrawal after DSPs confirm the legitimacy of streaming data.
- McArthur Digital reserves the right to withhold earnings if content is suspected or confirmed to be fraudulent.
- All payment requests must be made through the CMS Portal, and Users are responsible for providing accurate payout details.
8. Account Termination and Suspension
McArthur Digital reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that:
- Engage in repeated fraudulent or artificial streaming activity.
- Violate these Terms or DSP terms and policies.
- Submit false or misleading metadata or engage in deceptive marketing practices.
Upon termination, all distribution agreements will be nullified, and McArthur Digital will have the right to remove your content from DSPs. Any remaining funds will be withheld until DSPs verify the legitimacy of streams and earnings.
9. Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property Violations
McArthur Digital complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and related intellectual property laws. We will respond to any claims of copyright infringement by removing the infringing content and may terminate the violator’s account if repeated violations occur.
10. Limitation of Liability
McArthur Digital provides the CMS “as is” and makes no guarantees regarding availability, reliability, or timeliness. We are not liable for losses, delays, or disputes arising from issues related to DSPs, including delays in streaming, revenue collection, or reporting. Users agree to indemnify McArthur Digital for any third-party claims arising from their content.
11. Privacy and Data Collection
Your data and usage activity are subject to McArthur Digital’s Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, store, and use personal and performance data. By using the Service, you consent to these data collection practices and agree that McArthur Digital may share usage data with DSPs and affiliates as required for distribution and fraud prevention.
12. Amendments and Updates
McArthur Digital reserves the right to amend or update these Terms at any time. Users will be notified of changes via email or dashboard notifications. Continued use of the Service following any updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
13. Contact and Support
For any questions, support requests, or concerns, please contact our support team through the help center within the CMS Portal. We are here to assist with account setup, distribution inquiries, and any issues regarding fraudulent streaming detection and fines.
Thank you for choosing McArthur Digital’s Content Management System. By using our digital distribution services, you’re part of a community committed to fair and responsible practices in digital music distribution. We’re dedicated to ensuring your music reaches audiences worldwide while protecting your reputation and revenue.