This interview is with Carlos Palop, CEO at UniteSync.

Carlos Palop, CEO, UniteSync

Could you please introduce yourself to our audience and share a bit about your background in music publishing and technology?

Hey there, I’m Carlos Palop, the CEO of UniteSync. My journey into music publishing and tech has been a mix of passion and solving problems. I kicked things off as a DJ and producer and really got into the creative side of things. But pretty quickly, I saw how tough it was for artists to deal with all the details around music rights and royalties. Over time, I became really curious about the business side of music.

This curiosity pushed me to find ways to connect creators with their earnings. I've always been intrigued by how tech can make complicated stuff easier, and that interest eventually shaped what I wanted UniteSync to be. What drives me every day is the chance to empower musicians and composers to just focus on their craft, knowing someone’s got their back with the business stuff. For me, it's not just about the tech or the music; it's about coming up with solutions that truly help make life better for people.

How did you first get involved in the music industry, and what led you to specialize in the intersection of music publishing and technology?

I jumped into the music world as a DJ and producer, really getting my hands dirty with the creative stuff. But pretty quickly, I saw that a lot of artists, myself included, were missing out on royalties because the systems to track them were just so confusing and messy. It was super frustrating and made me want to learn more about the business side of music. One big moment for me was when I started using tech to help my own label reach more people, driving organic traffic and making money through affiliate marketing. It was a real wake-up call to see how technology could tackle problems that felt impossible at first.

As time went on, I figured out that the same tools and tactics could help musicians actually get the royalties they deserved without all the hassle. That’s when I knew I wanted to focus on music publishing and tech—bringing together what I know about the industry with fresh solutions that really help creators. It’s all about making sure artists get paid fairly so they can stick to what they love: making music.

Can you share an experience where you had to navigate a complex copyright issue related to music and technology? What did you learn from that experience, and how has it shaped your approach to similar challenges?

One memorable moment I had was dealing with a copyright issue when a band decided to go their separate ways. It got pretty complicated since all their music was registered together, and the members who were leaving needed to have their copyrights sorted out. If you've been in a similar situation, you know how tough it can be to work with Performing Rights Organizations to make sure everything is legally squared away.

Through this experience, I figured out that these transfers often get held up because of poor communication, not having access to the right databases, or missing legal documents. That’s where tech and know-how really come into play. With UniteSync, we’ve managed to make these situations easier by tapping into the right databases and making sure all the legal stuff is taken care of.

I realized that fixing copyright problems isn't just about sticking to a process—it's about understanding what creators really need and smoothing out the bumps in the road for them. This lesson has influenced how we help our clients, making sure they can tackle even the trickiest copyright challenges with confidence and ease.

What are some of the biggest changes you've witnessed in music publishing due to technological advancements? How have these changes impacted the way music creators and rights holders operate?

I’ve noticed some huge changes in music publishing lately, especially with how tech has made everything easier and faster. Tasks like catalog imports and checking metadata used to take ages, but now they can be done automatically. This is a real game-changer for music creators and rights holders because it cuts down on mistakes and stops issues like double registrations or wrong credits.

With access to public sources and databases, we can check info in real time, making sure that everything is registered correctly from the get-go. This kind of automation not only saves time but helps artists avoid missing out on royalties because of small admin mistakes. The coolest part is that these new tools give artists and rights holders more control over their catalogs. They don’t have to depend only on gatekeepers anymore; they can actively monitor and manage their rights using different platforms. In the end, tech is making things fairer, letting creators focus on their music while taking care of their rights efficiently.

From your perspective, what are some common misconceptions about music copyright in the digital age? What advice would you give to emerging artists and songwriters to protect their work?

A common misunderstanding about music copyright these days is thinking that once you put a song online, it’s automatically protected and everything will just fall into place. The reality is that while your music is technically copyrighted as soon as you create it, making sure you actually get paid is a whole different ballgame. I've seen so many artists think that services like streaming platforms or YouTube will take care of their royalties for them. But honestly, if your music isn’t registered correctly with the right places like Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) or collection societies, you could miss out on money. Even worse, you might end up in arguments over ownership if your metadata isn’t spot-on.

So here's my tip: don’t wait for something to go wrong—be proactive. Make sure you register your works with PROs, check your metadata twice, and if you’re collaborating, put everything in writing right from the start. Just figuring out who owns what percentage of a song can save you a ton of headaches down the line. And don’t hesitate to embrace technology. Tools like UniteSync can really help you manage your catalog, make sure your works are registered properly, and even catch issues before they turn into major headaches.

At the end of the day, protecting your work isn’t just about the legal stuff; it’s about appreciating what you’ve created and making sure your art gets the recognition and payment it deserves.

With the rise of AI in music creation, how do you see the role of music publishing evolving? What opportunities and challenges do you foresee in terms of copyright and ownership?

The rise of AI in making music is really changing the way we think about music publishing in totally new ways. On one side, it brings some awesome chances for tech and human creativity to join forces. For instance, AI can dig into huge libraries of music to spark fresh ideas or help artists try out styles they may not have thought about before. But with all this cool stuff comes some tricky questions about copyright and who owns what.

One of the major hurdles we're facing is figuring out a way for AI companies to use copyrighted music in a legal and fair manner. Right now, there's no set system that lets rights holders license their songs specifically for AI training. That's a major hole in the whole setup. We really need a licensing model that makes sure creators get paid when their tunes are used to train these tech tools, whether for creating new jams or fine-tuning AI systems.

Another tough question is: who actually owns the music made by AI? Is it the company that created the AI, the user who typed in the prompt, or maybe both? This is probably going to differ depending on the laws in different places, but it's definitely something we need to figure out soon. As someone who works closely with music makers, I think keeping human creativity at the core of any solution is super important.

To me, this is a mix of a challenge and an exciting time for music publishing. Tech like AI pushes us to rethink old models, but it also gives us a chance to come up with new ways to support artists and make sure they don't get left out. In the end, my focus is on helping creators adjust and shine in this changing landscape, all while making sure their rights and their art get the respect they deserve.

What are some essential tools or resources that you recommend for musicians and industry professionals to manage their music publishing effectively in today's digital landscape?

One of the best things any musician or industry pro can do these days is team up with a music-publishing administrator. A solid administrator doesn’t just gather your royalties—they make managing your catalog a breeze. They ensure your works are registered correctly and royalties are collected from around the world, so you won’t miss anything. Another handy tool in today’s music scene is one that helps you manage split sheets the right way. Apps like Create Music make this easy. Collaborating on music is super fun, but it’s also key to make sure everyone knows their share of ownership.

A good split-sheet management tool makes sure that any agreements with your co-writers are noted from the get-go, helping to steer clear of any issues later on. When you put together a publishing administrator with tools for handling split sheets, you really give yourself a professional edge. You can relax knowing your works are not just safe but also earning what they should, all while making it easier to work with others. It’s about building a setup where you can dive into your music without worrying about the admin stuff—that all runs smoothly in the background.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in the future of music publishing and technology? What trends or innovations do you believe will shape the industry in the coming years?

Looking to the future, I’m really looking forward to how tech keeps breaking down walls in music publishing, making it easier and clearer for creators everywhere. One trend I’m super into is using automation and AI to make things like tracking royalties, managing catalogs, and even sorting out ownership disputes way simpler. These tools are getting smarter, which means artists can spend less time dealing with all the paperwork and more time making music.

Another cool innovation I see on the horizon is blockchain tech. It's still growing, but it could totally change how we handle music rights and royalties.

Picture a world where every song’s ownership and how it’s used is jotted down in an unchangeable, clear record. That could really cut down on the waits and mix-ups artists often run into when trying to collect their royalties.

I’m also pumped about what direct licensing and micro-sync chances could bring. With new tools and platforms popping up, artists can have way more say in how their music gets used, whether it’s for indie films, social media posts, or even user-made AI projects.

But what really gets me excited is how the power is shifting towards creators. Technology is letting artists grab hold of their careers in ways we couldn’t even dream of a decade back. It’s such an inspiring time to be in the music scene, and I can’t wait to see how we can keep crafting this space to support the folks who bring the music to life.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is just starting out in the music publishing industry, especially in this age of rapid technological advancement?

If you're getting started in music publishing, my top tip is to stay curious and be adaptable. The industry's always changing, especially with how fast technology is moving. To keep up, you gotta be ready to learn and change course when needed.

First off, get a good handle on the basics, like copyright laws, how publishing admins work, and different kinds of royalties. Then jump into the tools and tech that are shaking things up today. Check out how platforms like PROs, metadata-management systems, and even AI are changing how we register, track, and make money from music. But the most important thing is to remember the human aspect of this business.

At its core, publishing is about supporting creators and safeguarding their work. Whether you're helping artists manage their music collections or making sure they get paid fairly, always prioritize the artist.

Don't hesitate to find your niche. Be it metadata management, sync licensing, or global royalty collections, find something you really care about and dig deep. Combining your knowledge with the right tools will make you super valuable in this quickly-evolving field.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Hey, everyone! Thanks for having me here! I just want to share that the music world, especially publishing, is in such an exciting spot right now. With all the cool tech out there, it’s a great time for creators to grab hold of their rights and royalties. If you’re in this business—whether you’re an artist, songwriter, or part of the team behind the scenes—just remember that knowing what’s going on is super important.

Keep being curious, stay updated, and don’t shy away from using the tools and resources that are out there for you. In the end, music publishing is way more than just about making money; it’s really about keeping creativity alive and celebrating it. Let’s keep pushing forward and discover new ways to support the folks who make the music we all enjoy!