Takedown Request – Unauthorized Upload of My Cover by "Gamaliel"

iMusician Platform & Support Bugs & Suggestions
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Dear iMusician Support Team,

I am writing to report an unauthorized upload made through your platform and to request the immediate removal of the content from all distributed audio platforms.

An artist going by the name “Gamaliel” downloaded my cover of “Love Again” by Dua Lipa directly from my YouTube channel and uploaded it to iMusician as if it were their own work. They then distributed it across audio streaming platforms without my authorization.

As a result of this unauthorized distribution, my original YouTube video has been demonetized. Previously, the monetization on my video was shared between me (as the cover artist) and the original rights holders of the composition, which is the standard arrangement for licensed covers on YouTube. Now, “Gamaliel” is receiving 100% of the monetization simply because they downloaded my recording and uploaded it through your platform, without having performed, recorded, or produced anything.

I have not yet distributed this cover to audio streaming platforms myself, as I am in the process of obtaining the proper mechanical licenses for each release, which I am doing gradually and responsibly.

I have already filed a claim with YouTube to recover the monetization on my original video. However, “Gamaliel” distributed my recording to multiple audio streaming platforms through iMusician, and when I contacted those platforms directly, they informed me that only the distributor, in this case, iMusician, has the ability to remove the content. Therefore, you are the only ones who can resolve this issue by taking down the release from all platforms where it was distributed.

Here are the relevant links for your reference:

• My original cover video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b4LHWMtQKU
• The infringing upload using my audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC10VKU1s8g

I kindly request that you take down this unauthorized release from all platforms where it has been distributed through iMusician.

On a positive note, this situation has introduced me to iMusician as a distribution service. I was not familiar with your platform before, but I am now considering using it to distribute my own covers in the future.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Best regards,
Metallized

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Hi @Metallized,
First of all, welcome to our community! It’s great to have you here, although I’m very sorry it’s under these difficult circumstances.
Unauthorized uploads and content theft are taken very seriously by the platform. Since this is a formal copyright matter, the best way to get this resolved quickly is to:
Open a support ticket through the iMusician dashboard if you haven’t already.
Tag the official staff: I’m tagging @Andi and @Carlos so they can alert the Quality Assurance and Legal teams as soon as possible.
Your YouTube link is a strong piece of evidence. The staff will be able to verify everything and take the necessary steps to remove the infringing content from all platforms.
Hang in there, the team is very efficient with these types of urgent issues!

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Hey @Metallized, thank you for reaching out.

We totally understand your frustration and we’ll of course look into this in order to resolve this issue. However, this is only possible on our end if a formal copyright claim is filed through a streaming platform first (for example Spotify, which you can do via the dedicated form). Please file a claim and provide all the evidence regarding your ownership of the recording: Support - Spotify

Once we receive the formal claim from Spotify, we’ll be able to take over and contact the artist who distributed this release with us :slight_smile:

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That’s a very important point, Carlos. I didn’t realize the formal claim had to come from the streaming platform first.

​Metallized, this is the standard legal procedure. Fill out the Spotify form as Carlos suggested, and keep us posted once you have their confirmation. You’re in good hands!

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Well, I’ve already submitted the monetization dispute request through YouTube, which you have already responded to. Thank you.

I haven’t yet submitted the video removal request or filed a claim on Spotify, etc. I think it’s quite a tedious task to do that, isn’t it? How many platforms do you distribute to 20? 30? Imagine me having to file a copyright claim on 30 different platforms. It’s a hassle!

I’ve had this problem before when another person uploaded my music through a distributor. I contacted Spotify, Apple, and Deezer only. Only Apple responded, saying, ‘You should file a complaint with whoever distributed the music.’ And that’s what I did that time. So I sent an email to DistroKid and they removed the music from all platforms without any issues.

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You’re very welcome! I totally understand, filing claims on every single platform manually is a nightmare.

​The good news is that iMusician has a much more human-centric approach compared to bigger automated distributors. Just like you experienced with DistroKid, once the team has the necessary elements, they can usually trigger a global takedown request with their partners directly.

​I’ve taken a look at the links you provided (Original vs Infringing), and the evidence is clear. This will definitely help the team speed up the process.

​It’s way more efficient and less stressful for you than doing it one by one. Hang in there, you’re in good hands!

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Hello, I have just filed a claim on YouTube and Spotify only. However, I would like you to take down the music from all platforms. Thank you.

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Thanks for the update! Now that you’ve filed those claims, you’ve provided the necessary official proof that iMusician needs to take action.
I don’t have the administrative tools to trigger the global takedown myself yet, but I’ve made sure all your information is ready for the staff to review. As soon as the team (like Carlos) checks this thread, they will be able to process the removal from all other platforms based on the evidence you’ve provided.
You’ve done everything right on your end. Let’s wait for their final confirmation now!

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As I said, only you iMusician can remove the video and the music from the platforms.

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You don’t need to do it for all stores. If we receive the claim from Spotify, it’s sufficient on our end to open a case and potentially terminate the distribution on all other stores if we conclude that the content was indeed distributed in an unauthorised manner.

Please follow my instructions and file the claim on Spotify (if that’s not already done) and we’ll take over from there :slight_smile:

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