From Copyright to Royalties: A Streamer’s Guide to Using Indie South Asian Music After the Kobalt-Madverse Deal

Stop guessing — start streaming royalty-safe South Asian indie music today

Streamers and creators: if you’ve ever had a VOD muted, a clip demonetized, or a takedown notice for using a song you thought was "safe," you’re not alone. The January 2026 Kobalt–Madverse partnership opens a major catalog of South Asian independent music to global publishing administration, but access doesn’t mean automatic permission. This guide gives you a clear, step-by-step workflow to license, credit, and use South Asian indie music without risking Content ID claims, silent VODs, or uncollected royalties.

Quick primer — what changed in 2026 and why it matters to streamers

In late 2025 and early 2026 platforms and rightsholders tightened enforcement of music rights on livestream platforms and short-form video. At the same time, major publishers accelerated deals to bring regional catalogs into global administration. The Kobalt–Madverse agreement, announced January 15, 2026, is a clear example: Madverse’s roster of South Asian indie songwriters now has global publishing administration through Kobalt’s network.

Why that matters for streamers:

• Publishing administration via a major network increases the odds that a song will be detected by automated systems like Content ID or platform detection.
• Detection does not equal denial — it means there is metadata and a rights holder to contact; that makes negotiated sync and usage clearances possible.
• Even if a song is now globally administered, master rights may still be held by the artist or a different distributor — you may need both publishing and master clearance.

Overview: the rights you need to worry about (short, actionable)

1. Publishing / Composition rights — represents songwriters and publishers; typically administered by publishers and collected by PROs (e.g., IPRS in India, PRS, ASCAP, BMI).
2. Master / Sound recording rights — controlled by the owner of the actual recording (label, distributor, or independent artist).
3. Sync license — required to synchronize music with visual content (streams, VODs, clips). This is the license most streamers need in addition to performance rights.
4. Public performance / streaming rights — platforms may have blanket performance agreements with some publishers, but those are limited and often don’t cover VOD, monetization, or third-party reuses.

Step-by-step clearance workflow for streamers (the checklist you can use tonight)

Follow these steps before you play any South Asian indie track on-stream or post music-backed clips.

1. 1) Identify the track and collect metadata

   • Track title, artist name, release date
   • ISRC (recording code) and UPC (release code) if available
   • Composer/writer names and any publisher listed
   • Where you found the track (Bandcamp, YouTube, Madverse catalog, etc.)

2. 2) Check publishing administration and master ownership

   Use public repertory tools (ASCAP/BMI/PRS/IPRS search, Kobalt/Madverse public catalogs) to see who administers the composition. If Kobalt is listed as the publisher administrator, the Kobalt–Madverse deal likely gives you a single contact path for the publishing side.

3. 3) Determine if you need a sync license

   Playing a song live on a stream still syncs the composition to visuals — nearly every modern rights team treats livestreams and VODs as audiovisual works that need a sync license plus performance clearance. If you plan to upload clips, VODs, or monetized content, obtain a sync license.

4. 4) Contact the rightsholders — use this template

   If Kobalt is the publishing administrator, start there. If the artist controls the master, reach out to the artist or distributor as well. Here’s a minimal message to send:

   Hello — I’m a streamer/content creator at [channel name]. I’d like to request permission to use the track “[title]” by [artist] on my livestreams and VODs across Twitch/YouTube/TikTok. Intended use: background music during livestreams, clips, and full VOD uploads for [monetized/non-monetized]. Please let me know sync/master licensing terms, any required credit lines, and whether you require platform revenue splits or claim monetization. I can provide dates, sample clips, and audience metrics on request. Thanks — [name] / [contact info].

   Include your channel links, average viewership, and intended geography — granular details help speed negotiation.

5. 5) Negotiate scope, fees, and duration

   Common negotiable items:

   • Platforms covered (Twitch live, VOD, YouTube shorts, TikTok)
   • Monetization allowed (ads, subscriptions, donations)
   • Duration of license (single stream, 6 months, perpetual for VOD)
   • Territory (worldwide vs specific countries)
   • Fee structure (flat fee, per-use fee, or revenue share)

   Small channels often secure low-cost or free syncs from indie artists in exchange for credits and links; publishers administered by Kobalt may request standardized fees or claims through Content ID. Always get terms in writing.

6. 6) Secure both publishing and master rights

   Even if Kobalt clears the publishing side, you still need permission for the master recording. If the artist uploaded the track themselves, they may grant a master license directly or provide stems. If a distributor controls the master, ask for the distributor’s contact or a license offer.

7. 7) Save the license and post required credits

   Maintain a folder with signed licenses and email confirmations. Place credit on-stream and in the VOD description following the publisher’s requirements (sample formats below).

8. 8) Add metadata and description links

   Link to the artist’s page, the song, and the label/publisher in your video description and pinned chat when streaming. This helps artists get discovered and signals to platforms that you cleared rights. Use cloud folders and organized cloud filing to keep licenses accessible.

Sample credit formats and overlay placement

How you credit artists is often part of the license. Make credits visible and discoverable:

• On-screen overlay (during playback): small banner bottom-left or bottom-right showing: Artist — Song Title (Credit: [Publisher]; Licensed via [Kobalt/Madverse])
• VOD description line: "Music: ‘Song Title’ by Artist (Publishing admin: Kobalt | Label/Distributor: [name]). Licensed to [Channel] — Sync & master license on file."
• Pinned chat during live: "Now playing: ‘Song Title’ by Artist — full credits & links in video description"

Example credit line (copy-paste friendly):

Music — "Raat Ki Sair" by A. Kumar. Publishing administered by Kobalt (via Madverse). Licensed for use on this channel. Full license: [link to license PDF].

Platform-specific notes — avoid common traps

Twitch

Twitch enforces music policies differently for live streams and VODs. Many creators report that previously acceptable tracks are now identified and muted in VODs. To reduce risk:

• Request explicit VOD/clip permission in the sync license.
• Use non-music VOD backup footage or split streams into music and no-music sessions.

YouTube

YouTube’s Content ID system will often monetize a video on behalf of the rightsholder rather than block it. If a Kobalt-administered composition is in Content ID, expect either revenue sharing or a takedown without an approved sync. A signed sync/master license and including the license link in the description speeds dispute resolution.

TikTok & Instagram

Short-form platforms have complex deals with labels and publishers, but those deals are not universal. If you plan to clip or repurpose stream clips for social, list those platforms in the sync request. Rights owners sometimes allow clips but prohibit full VOD uploads to avoid cannibalization.

Negotiation tactics that work with indie South Asian artists and Kobalt-administered catalogs

• Offer visibility, not just money: indie artists often value discovery. Offer to include links, timestamps, and pinned chat credits.
• Start small: ask for a 6-month clip license with the option to renew after showing performance metrics.
• Be specific about use: platforms, monetization, territory, and time frame. Vague requests slow negotiations.
• Request a no-claim clause for specified platforms: if the publisher administers through Kobalt, they can flag Content ID to avoid automatic claims — but only if you have an agreed license and transaction record.

When a track is administered by Kobalt — what to expect

If Kobalt appears in the publishing metadata, Kobalt will act as the global publisher administrator for the composition. That brings benefits and responsibilities:

• Clear contact point for publishing inquiries — faster confirmations.
• Higher chance of Content ID matches because of improved metadata and global repertoire reporting.
• Publishers may be more formal with sync requests — expect contract terms and commercial rates for commercial uses.

Bottom line: Kobalt’s admin role can make clearance easier if you follow the right steps — but it also means automated systems will know who to notify. A documented license is your defense.

Cost expectations and timelines (real-world guidance)

There’s no universal rate, but here are practical ranges and timelines based on recent 2025–2026 indie sync trends:

• Response time: 3–14 business days typical for indie publishers; Kobalt routes can be faster if they have a centralized process.
• Small streamer one-off live use (non-exclusive) — $0 to $300 or revenue share models.
• Non-expiring VOD + multi-platform license — $200 to $2,000 for indie tracks, higher for exclusive or highly popular songs.
• Custom master stems or instrumental stems — additional $50–$500 depending on artist.

These are ballpark figures. If a publisher issues a Content ID claim before you obtain a license, having a signed agreement will still allow for a dispute and revenue reassignment, but prevention is better than dispute resolution.

Alternatives if licensing is denied or unaffordable

• Request a short excerpt or instrumental stem that the artist will clear for free in exchange for credit.
• Use royalty-free South Asian-inspired instrumental libraries and tag them appropriately to preserve aesthetic while staying safe.
• Commission a bespoke indie artist track in exchange for promotion — agree ownership and master rights up front.

Record-keeping and that critical audit trail

Store these items in a folder per-track:

• Signed sync & master license PDFs
• Email thread with rightsholders
• License scope summary (platforms, dates, territory, fees)
• Screenshot of on-stream credit and VOD description

Platforms and publishers will ask for proof if a dispute arises. Fast access to a signed license is often enough to resolve claims quickly — use a cloud filing playbook like Beyond Filing to keep everything organized.

Case study: a small streamer clears a Madverse track (realistic scenario)

Ria, a 2,000-follower streamer based in London, wanted to play a 2024 breakout indie track by a Mumbai composer featured on Madverse. Steps she took:

1. She found the track on Bandcamp and noted ISRC and writer names.
2. She searched public repertoires and saw Kobalt listed as publishing administrator.
3. She emailed Kobalt’s sync team and copied the artist’s Bandcamp contact, requesting a 6-month non-exclusive sync license for Twitch and YouTube VODs.
4. Artist agreed to grant a free master license in return for credit and links; Kobalt offered a formal publishing confirmation that allowed Ria to avoid future Content ID claims for the agreed period.
5. Ria saved the signed email, added an on-screen credit overlay, and linked the license in VOD descriptions.

Outcome: clean VODs and a surge in artist traffic. The artist gained streaming fans; Ria avoided claims and established a relationship for future collaborations.

Checklist you can copy-paste before every stream

1. Identify track and record metadata
2. Confirm publishing admin and master owner
3. Request and receive written sync & master permission for all platforms you’ll use
4. Save signed license in your license folder (cloud storage recommended)
5. Prepare on-stream overlay and VOD description credit
6. Link to artist and license PDF in description
7. Keep contact info for rightsholders accessible for disputes

Advanced strategies for creators and channel managers

• Build rolling agreements: Work with artists to set up recurring licenses that automatically renew monthly or quarterly. This reduces admin overhead.
• Collaborative releases: co-release a short remix or stream-only version with the artist; negotiate master use for the channel in exchange for promotion and revenue split.
• Use publisher dashboards: if Kobalt or the artist provides a publisher dashboard that lists administered compositions, link those IDs in your license request to speed processing.

Final takeaways

As of 2026, the Kobalt–Madverse deal is a net positive for streamers: it makes a rich catalog of South Asian indie music discoverable and administratively accountable. But discoverability means detection — and that detection will trigger automated systems unless you have a documented sync and master license.

Do the paperwork once, and you unlock high-quality regional music while protecting your channel. Small channels can trade visibility for low-cost licenses; larger creators may need formal commercial terms. Either way, treat publishing and master rights separately and keep clear records.

“Access without clearance is risk. Administration via networks like Kobalt gives creators a path to license — use it.”

Resources & next steps

• Search public repertoires: ASCAP, BMI, PRS, IPRS
• Check Kobalt’s public catalog and Madverse artist pages for contact details
• Keep a license folder in cloud storage for fast dispute resolution (Beyond Filing)

Call to action

Want our free one-page Music Clearance Checklist and email templates for requesting syncs from South Asian indie artists and Kobalt-administered publishers? Join our creator community and download the cheat sheet — verify tracks before you stream, protect your VODs, and help indie artists get paid. Click to get the checklist and a pre-filled sync request template you can use tonight.

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