Starting in 2026, we’re introducing a new system for faster, simpler and more responsive claims submission. The enhanced claims process, supported by a purpose-built Musical Rights API, will go live later this year. Until then, here's what to expect and how to prepare.
The legacy system did not offer a consistent way to submit claims and onboard new claim providers. The new system is streamlined and easy to implement; we’ll also offer templates, forms and step-by-step instructions for using the API.
The new claims process gives all rights holders—new and existing—access to the Musical Rights API. Even if you’ve never sent us claims data before, you’ll be able to submit via API as soon as it’s available.
Luminate historically tracked distribution rights only, with limited visibility into ownership. The new system supports ownership and distribution claims for recordings and products in the U.S. and Canada. We’ll also be able to add more claim types in the future.
Musical rights claimed via API will automatically be incorporated into Luminate’s market share calculations. The CONNECT platform will show ownership and distribution splits for musical assets and offer more overall visibility into market share.
Modern music distribution isn’t bound to rigid release days or predictable schedules. The new normal is off-schedule, “anytime” releases—sometimes on short notice. Our enhanced process permits rights holders to send claims on demand, in any order, anytime throughout the day for nightly processing and next-day rights assignment.
Claims submitted using the new process can specify applicable date ranges that start in the past or on a future date. CONNECT will automatically update claims to reflect new, updated or expired effective dates.
Finding and correcting errors in manual submissions is time-consuming, costly and not guaranteed. But the new API and updated Market Share reporting process will detect errors, discrepancies and missing data automatically. If your submission is unsuccessful, the system will flag issues and alert you right away.
Back to Registration and Reporting
Prepare to submit claims by gathering or verifying the below.
We can only accept claims on musical assets in our database. Recordings and products must be registered with a valid ISRC or ICPN; only then can we 1) display them in CONNECT and 2) assign rights.
To prevent backlogs, submit new rights claims immediately after you register recordings and products with Luminate. Check submission status by performing an ID Search in th with the ISRC or ICPN.
If you’ve submitted claims or requested to become a new claims provider already, we’ll let you know when the Musical Rights API is available. If you choose to start using the API, we’ll supply an API key and instructions as part of the onboarding process.
For each asset you claim, you’ll need to submit key data and metadata in a standard format.
Each claim must include at least one standard ID code. For Products, we accept ICPNs in GRiD, UPC or EAN format. For Recordings, we only accept ISRCs. You'll need to specify whether an asset ID is an ICPN or ISRC.
Rights Type: Distribution or Ownership
Catalog Code: User-specified string identifying the rights holder within your organization (label, sublabel, etc.) or the catalog it belongs to.
Channel (Distribution): List of claimed distribution channels (Physical, Digital) for Distribution claims
Country Code(s): List of the claimed countries (2 character ISO country codes)*
Share (Ownership): Percent of ownership claimed
Effective Date: Earliest date on which the musical rights claim becomes valid
*Currently accepting U.S. and Canada only
We use the below to validate claims and assign them to the correct entities.
Display Title
Display Artist
Release Date
Release label ("imprint")
The Musical Rights API accepts claim submissions, updates, terminations and cancellations via HTTP POST requests. We’ll provide tech specs, sample requests and templates to use.
All submissions follow the same steps:
The API accepts POST requests: API calls that initiate additions or edits to rights data in CONNECT. Messages must be in JSON format and include at least one asset with complete claims information.
Each request automatically generates a request ID you can use to track submission status,
The API will automatically respond to confirm your submission and/or flag issues.
The API will allow you to correct or update claims on assets if initial submissions contained mistakes or resulted in significant catalog changes.
If your claim was successful, you’ll be able to view rights data for your claimed assets in the CONNECT UI, API and data share. Successful claims should appear in CONNECT within 24 hours.
We’ll launch the Musical Rights API later this year, at which point we’ll begin transitioning select rights holders. Expect an announcement and more information in a few months. Your Luminate account representative will share details, tech specs and resources as they become available.
During the transition period, we’ll work with all rights holders to address their specific needs, provide onboarding support and take feedback on the new process.
We’ll give ample notice before implementing changes. In the meantime, we’ll continue to accept claims through existing channels. There won’t be any disruption to the submission process for the time being.
About CONNECT: Platform overview and updates
Luminate Developer Hub: API and Snowflake documentation
Client Support: Find answers and get the help you need