Frequently Asked Questions

Unchained Music is a music licensing platform that establishes verifiable chain of custody for derivative works. Artists distribute their music through Unchained and can opt-in to offer sample and remix licenses. When you purchase a license and create a derivative work, you can distribute that derivative through Unchained with full provenance—creating an unbroken chain from original to derivative that proves your rights at every step.

Chain of custody means there's a verifiable, tamper-proof record connecting your derivative work back to the original. When you sample or remix a track licensed through Unchained and distribute through our platform, anyone can verify: (1) the original work exists on Unchained, (2) you purchased a valid license, (3) your derivative was created under that license. This creates legal certainty that traditional licensing can't match.

Traditional sample clearance involves lawyers, negotiations, weeks of waiting, and often rejection. Unchained offers instant, pre-cleared licenses at set prices. The artist has already agreed to the terms—you just purchase and create. No back-and-forth, no uncertainty, no gatekeepers.

Click 'Connect Wallet' to create your account using a digital wallet like MetaMask. Browse available licenses, purchase the ones you want, create your derivative works, and optionally distribute them through Unchained to maintain full chain of custody.

We recommend MetaMask for the best experience—it's a free browser extension that takes minutes to set up. Other Ethereum-compatible wallets (Rainbow, Coinbase Wallet, WalletConnect-supported wallets) also work. Your wallet serves as your secure identity and payment method.

USDC is a stablecoin—a digital dollar where 1 USDC always equals $1 USD. You can purchase USDC from exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance and transfer it to your wallet. On our testnet, click the '+' button next to your balance to get free test USDC for trying the platform.

No! While Unchained uses blockchain technology for verification and payments, the user experience is designed to be straightforward. Connect your wallet, browse music, click purchase—we handle the technical complexity behind the scenes.

Welcome! Here's your step-by-step guide: (1) Install a wallet browser extension like MetaMask (it's free and takes 2 minutes), (2) Create your wallet and SECURELY save your recovery phrase (this is like your master password—never share it), (3) Your wallet creates a unique address (like a bank account number), (4) Add some USDC to your wallet from an exchange like Coinbase, (5) Connect your wallet to Unchained and start browsing. That's it!

A crypto wallet is a secure digital tool that stores your blockchain identity and funds. Think of it as a combination of a bank account and a digital ID. You need one because: (1) it's how you prove who you are on Unchained, (2) it holds your USDC for purchases, (3) it stores your license ownership permanently, and (4) it lets you sign transactions. Popular options include MetaMask (browser extension), Rainbow (mobile), or Coinbase Wallet.

Here's the complete process: (1) Go to metamask.io and click 'Download', (2) Add the browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Brave, (3) Click 'Create a new wallet', (4) Create a strong password, (5) CRITICAL: Write down your 12-word recovery phrase on paper and store it safely—never digitally, never share it, (6) Confirm your recovery phrase, (7) Done! Your wallet is ready. On Unchained, click 'Connect Wallet' and select MetaMask.

Your recovery phrase (also called seed phrase) is 12 or 24 words that can restore your wallet on any device. It's the ONLY way to recover your wallet if you lose access. CRITICAL RULES: (1) Write it on paper, not digitally, (2) Never share it with anyone—no legitimate service will ever ask for it, (3) Store it in a safe place (some people use fireproof safes or bank deposit boxes), (4) Anyone with this phrase can steal everything in your wallet. Treat it like the combination to a vault.

USDC is a stablecoin where 1 USDC = $1 USD. To get some: (1) Create an account on an exchange like Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance, (2) Complete their identity verification (required by law), (3) Link your bank account or card, (4) Buy USDC with your local currency, (5) Withdraw USDC to your MetaMask wallet address (copy it from MetaMask), (6) Wait a few minutes for the transfer to complete. Pro tip: On our testnet, click the '+' button to get free test USDC!

Gas fees are small payments to the blockchain network that process your transactions—think of them like postage for sending a letter. They go to network validators (not Unchained) who verify and record your transaction. Fees vary based on network congestion: busy times = higher fees. Tips: (1) Fees are usually just cents to a few dollars, (2) You can wait for lower fees if not urgent, (3) Your wallet will show the fee before you confirm.

It's simple: (1) Make sure MetaMask (or your wallet) is installed and unlocked, (2) Click 'Connect Wallet' on Unchained, (3) A popup will appear from your wallet asking to connect, (4) Click 'Connect' to approve, (5) You're in! Your wallet address now appears on the site. You only need to do this once per browser—the site will remember you. If you switch browsers or devices, just connect again.

When you buy a license: (1) Click 'Purchase' on the license you want, (2) Your wallet pops up showing the transaction details and cost, (3) Review and click 'Confirm' to approve, (4) The transaction is sent to the blockchain, (5) Within seconds to minutes, it's confirmed, (6) The artist receives 95% instantly, (7) Your license is recorded permanently on-chain, (8) You can now download files and generate certificates. The whole process typically takes under a minute!

Blockchain is extremely secure—that's why banks and governments use it. However, transactions are irreversible, so take care: (1) Always double-check wallet addresses before sending, (2) Never share your recovery phrase, (3) Be wary of scams—if something seems too good to be true, it is, (4) Start small while learning, (5) Use our testnet with free test funds to practice. Mistakes can't be undone, but with basic caution, you'll be fine.

Testnet is a practice environment with fake money—perfect for learning without risk. Mainnet is the real blockchain where real money and real licenses exist. On testnet: (1) All funds are fake (worthless), (2) You can experiment freely, (3) Licenses aren't legally valid. On mainnet: (1) Real USDC with real value, (2) Permanent, legally binding licenses, (3) Artists receive real payment. We recommend starting on testnet to get comfortable before using mainnet.

We take multiple steps to verify authenticity: (1) Artist identity verification through our onboarding process, (2) Review of claimed rights and ownership documentation, (3) Cross-referencing with existing music databases and registries, (4) Technical analysis of uploaded audio for known content matches, (5) Ongoing monitoring for disputes and claims. However, no verification system is perfect—see our limitations below.

Artists listing content on Unchained must complete identity verification including: (1) Government-issued ID verification, (2) Proof of ownership or rights to the content they're listing, (3) Agreement to our terms confirming they have authority to license the content, (4) Contact information for legal correspondence. This helps ensure you're licensing from legitimate rights holders, not imposters.

Our verification process includes: (1) Requiring artists to warrant they own or control the rights, (2) Reviewing submitted documentation of ownership, (3) Audio fingerprinting to detect known copyrighted content, (4) Manual review of flagged submissions, (5) Responding to DMCA takedown notices promptly, (6) Maintaining a dispute resolution process. We take authenticity seriously and continuously improve our detection methods.