This Anti-Fraud Policy forms part of the Phonovia Terms of Use and Distribution Terms of Service. By using the Phonovia platform and services, you agree to comply with this policy.
For purposes of this Policy, “Phonovia”, “we”, “us”, or “our” refers to Phonovia.
“User” or “End User” refers to any individual or legal entity that has created an account, accepted the Terms of Use, and submitted content for distribution to Digital Service Providers (“DSPs”).
The purpose of this Anti-Fraud Policy is to:
• protect the integrity of the digital music ecosystem
• prevent artificial manipulation of streaming or monetization systems
• ensure compliance with DSP rules and partner agreements
• protect legitimate rights holders and artists
• protect Phonovia from financial, contractual, and legal liability
This policy must be read together with the Terms of Use, Distribution Terms, and Privacy Policy.
Fraudulent activity includes any behavior intended to artificially generate revenue, manipulate platform systems, mislead listeners, or violate the rules of DSPs or applicable law.
Fraudulent activity includes, but is not limited to:
• artificial streams, plays, downloads, or engagement
• the use of bots, scripts, emulators, VPN farms, or click farms
• paid stream or playlist services that guarantee plays
• coordinated streaming manipulation
• misleading promotion designed to simulate organic listeners
• impersonation of artists, labels, or brands
• misleading metadata, track titles, or artist names (“music spam”)
• uploading content you do not own or control
• repeated uploads of duplicate or manipulated recordings
• silent, noise, distorted, or artificially generated audio created solely for revenue generation
• manipulation of royalty systems or reporting mechanisms
• providing false identity or account information
• attempts to bypass DSP fraud detection systems
• any activity that causes DSP penalties, clawbacks, or contractual violations for Phonovia
Use of third-party promotion services does not relieve you of responsibility. You remain fully liable for all activity generated in connection with your content.
Phonovia may monitor accounts, releases, and activity using automated systems, manual review, and third-party reporting.
Phonovia may rely on information provided by:
• Digital Service Providers (DSPs)
• distribution partners and aggregators
• copyright owners
• anti-fraud vendors
• internal analytics systems
Phonovia is not required to disclose detection methods or evidence to users.
If Phonovia, a DSP, or a partner reasonably suspects fraudulent activity, Phonovia may, without prior notice:
• freeze or withhold royalties
• block withdrawals
• remove releases
• disable artist profiles
• suspend or terminate accounts
• refuse future distribution
• report activity to DSPs or partners
Phonovia may take action based on reasonable suspicion and is not required to wait for final confirmation.
You acknowledge and agree that DSPs and distribution partners may impose financial penalties, chargebacks, reversals, or repayment obligations related to fraudulent or suspicious activity.
You agree that:
• Phonovia may permanently withhold associated royalties
• Phonovia may offset such losses against your current or future earnings
• you remain liable even if the activity was caused by a third-party promotion service
• you must reimburse Phonovia for losses exceeding your account balance
Phonovia may recover such amounts through account deductions, withheld payments, or legal recovery.
During an investigation, Phonovia may request documentation including:
• identity verification
• ownership proof
• license agreements
• promotional sources
• marketing explanations
Failure to cooperate may result in permanent account termination and forfeiture of royalties.
Phonovia may share relevant account information with DSPs, rights holders, partners, auditors, or legal authorities where necessary to investigate fraud.
Royalties are payable only where revenue is valid and not subject to investigation, reversal, or dispute.
Phonovia has no obligation to pay royalties associated with suspected fraudulent activity, even if funds were previously reported in the dashboard.
Dashboard analytics do not constitute a confirmed payment entitlement.
Accounts involved in fraudulent activity may be permanently banned.
Phonovia is not required to provide advance warning or reinstate terminated accounts.
All affected releases may be removed from DSPs.
Where fraudulent activity affects third-party rights holders, Phonovia may redirect withheld funds to resolve legitimate claims, penalties, or damages where required.
All provisions relating to financial liability, withheld royalties, indemnification, and investigations survive termination of the account or services.
Phonovia may conduct or participate in investigations, audits, or reviews initiated by Digital Service Providers, distribution partners, payment processors, or rights holders.
You acknowledge and agree that:
• investigations may take an extended period of time
• Phonovia may continue to withhold Royalties during any ongoing investigation
• Royalties may be adjusted, reversed, or reclaimed after they were reported or previously paid
• Phonovia may recover previously paid amounts if DSPs or partners require repayment
• you agree to repay any overpaid or improperly paid Royalties upon request
Failure to repay amounts owed may result in permanent account termination and legal recovery actions.
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT PHONOVIA PROVIDES A DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION AND ROYALTY ADMINISTRATION SERVICE ONLY AND DOES NOT CONTROL OR OPERATE ANY DIGITAL SERVICE PROVIDER (“DSP”).
PHONOVIA DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE, AVAILABILITY, PLACEMENT, STREAMING RESULTS, OR REVENUE FOR ANY RELEASE. ALL DECISIONS REGARDING DISPLAY, MONETIZATION, DEMONETIZATION, OR REMOVAL OF CONTENT ARE MADE SOLELY BY THE RESPECTIVE DSP OR DISTRIBUTION PARTNER.
PHONOVIA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF REVENUE, LOST PROFITS, CONTENT REMOVALS, ACCOUNT ACTIONS, PLATFORM PENALTIES, OR DELAYS IN REPORTING OR PAYMENT RESULTING FROM DSP POLICIES, FRAUD DETECTION SYSTEMS, OR OTHER THIRD-PARTY ACTIONS.
PHONOVIA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCURACY OR TIMING OF ANY DATA, ANALYTICS, OR REPORTS PROVIDED BY DSPs OR DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS.
