Audio rules

This article is a part of Believe's Audio Content Guidelines.

Reminder: An audio (or video) file is mandatory to create a release.

Quality

Audio format by Believe. The standard format of audio file is WAV 16 bits, 44,100 Hz, Stereo. Do not use multiple formats in the same release. The file must be complete (not cut) and good quality (no noise for example)

HD files. For 24-bit format, file must be among the following options: 24-bit / 44100 Hz (24/44); 24-bit / 48000 Hz (24/48); 24-bit / 88200 Hz (24/88); 24-bit / 96000 Hz (24/96); 24-bit / 192000 Hz (24/96).

Track length. For singles, EPs and albums, at least half of the tracks of the release must last more than 45 seconds.

Number of tracks. The number of tracks can be limited according to stores’ guidelines.

Duplicate. Tracks with identical audio files and identical metadata as another one already in Believe's database will not be accepted (based on MD5 algorithm).

Content 

Audio content rules include but are not limited to :     

Pornographic content. Audio displaying pornographic content is not accepted. Pornography refers to content that is designed to cause sexual excitement by showing or describing sexual acts. (Collins dictionary).

Nazi propaganda. Content that trivializes or downplays national socialism is not accepted.

Terrorism. Audio displaying terrorist content or promoting terrorist activities is not accepted.

Cultural sensitivities. (according to stores policies and territorial legislation) Audio promoting or displaying any form of hate speech, children safety issues, harassment, extreme violence, xenophobic content or any other discriminatory content may not be accepted.

Delivery to the Middle East & Northern Africa (MENA). Content managers check if the content is fit for delivery to the Middle Eastern and Northern African territories (commonly referred to as "MENA"). If it is not, the release will be excluded from delivery to MENA. Content that is not fit for delivery to the MENA region includes but is not limited to blasphemous content or Israeli content intended for delivery to Lebanon.

Believe will have complete freedom to adapt its content guidelines regarding delivery to sensitive territories, at its sole discretion, from time to time.

Legal

Only submit an audio file to Believe as owner as a rightsowner or licensee of the Master recording.

Third parties IP. Mentioning a third party’s intellectual property is not accepted on any store. Do not mention any third party’s intellectual property without prior authorization from their owner.

Blacklisted artists/releases. To avoid infringement, Believe’s system automatically checks the artist name in the top artists list.

Curated artist. Is considered “curated artist”, an artist having sufficient instances of a song or catalogue already available on stores. Believe may prevent delivery to certain stores if the artist or the audio is identified as "curated artist" or "cover version" by stores and/or by Believe.

Public Domain. According to local laws or rules and to stores policies, Believe may reject "public domain content". For example in France: releases produced before 1965 (for 2021) are "public domain" and can't be delivered to Apple and Spotify.

Note: In case of masters' ownership, exceptions may apply.