The 5 Legal Mistakes That Could Cost You Your Music Career

Introduction

In the world of music, a poor legal move can cost you more than money: it can cost you your career.
Here we explain the 5 most common legal mistakes made by artists, producers, and managers, and how to avoid them to protect your art and your future.

Relying on verbal agreements

Words are fleeting.

• Even with good intentions, without a signed document you have no real protection.

• Classic example: agreeing on a percentage of royalties verbally and then being left out of the payment.

💡 Tip

Always formalize any agreement, even with friends, in a split sheet or contract. The paper rules!

Not defining and registering credits

One of the gravest mistakes when releasing a song is not defining who did what.

• Clearly define:

  • Lyrics authorship

  • Musical composition

  • Production and financing

💬 Importance

This allows for correct registration with collective management organizations and ensures that each collaborator gets their royalties.

Using others' works without authorization

The golden rule in intellectual property: what is not yours needs authorization.

• Typical cases: use of samples without a license, melodies taken from other songs, foreign beats.

⚠️ Risk

Using others' works without permission can lead to lawsuits, platform blocks, and very costly fines.

Not protecting your stage name

Imagine investing years building your personal brand and someone else registering it first.

• In Chile, registration is done at the National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI).

• Registering your stage name allows you to:

  • Have legal exclusivity

  • Avoid copycats and confusion

💬 Tip

Register it as soon as you feel it’s the definitive name that represents you.

Not understanding what rights you are negotiating

Music contracts often include transfers of rights:

• Author's rights (lyrics, music)

• Phonogram or master rights

💡 Key

Knowing exactly what you transfer and what you retain is essential to make informed decisions and avoid surprises.

Final thoughts

These mistakes may seem small, but they can destroy your career if not managed well.
Educating yourself, asking questions, and seeking guidance will allow you to move forward with confidence and control your art and your income.

Tools like Divisi help you formalize agreements, register credits, and manage your rights easily and without complications.
This way, you can focus on what really matters: creating, growing, and sharing your music with the world.