Content Guidelines

Generally speaking, The Orchard does not accept the following content for distribution:

• Any content that does not conform to the Apple Style Guide
• Any content containing artists found in our Artist Watch List (content for discussion has documented exclusive rights, a sales one-sheet, and relationship manager approval)
• Misleading or deceptive content, including erroneous use of audio and art without a proper licence
• Tracks that appear on multiple releases but do not have the same ISRC or metadata
• Soundalikes (low quality, misleading tributes, and covers)
• Audiobooks (any spoken word that is purely the text of a published book being read in audio format)
• Subliminal content
• Karaoke, with or without a lead vocal
• Generic concepts, including:
  • Relaxation
  • Generic or repurposed New Age
  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Brain power
  • Nature sounds
  • New Age
  • Workout and fitness
• Public domain sound recordings that are already in distribution
• Fake or keyworded artist names, generic artists, orchestras, or performers
• AI-generated content
• Advertisement or snippet tracks
• Purchased beats or non-exclusive instrumentals
• Duplicated albums — an album containing at least 50% of the same tracks as another album
• Tracks that have been delivered more than 5 times
• Thematic Classical compilations (for babies, for study, for sleep, and so on)
• Low-budget content with little editorial value
• Titles packed with keywords
• Low-quality cover art
• Radio broadcasts and live performances without prior relationship manager approval
• Content without a clear chain of title

Please note: these content guidelines are subject to change.

Reasonable exceptions

There may be instances in which a label is allowed to distribute content that appears to violate the content guidelines. This includes the following:

• Proven legitimacy of ownership of Watch List artists
• High-quality releases from real artists in the realm of generic content
  • New Age
  • Workout and fitness
  • Relaxation
• High-quality karaoke content

If you believe you have a catalogue that may qualify for an exception, please discuss it with your relationship manager.

For all other questions, please contact our team.