Co-founder and lawyer Hina Rizvi on how a blockchain-powered platform is giving artists back control over their creativity.
For as long as there have been songs, there have been stories of stolen melodies, misattributed lyrics, and creative heartbreak. Behind every hit record lies a quieter struggle — the fight to prove who made what, and when.
Now, a new platform called SongProof is turning that struggle into history. By combining blockchain technology with the world of music, it’s offering artists an instant, global, and affordable way to protect their creations — long before record deals or legal disputes enter the picture.
At the forefront of this change is Hina Rizvi, a seasoned lawyer based in Toronto and a co-founder of SongProof. After years spent representing clients in copyright battles, Rizvi recognised a recurring problem: too many artists were losing out not because of lack of talent, but because of lack of proof.
“Artists would hold back from releasing their music or collaborating because they were afraid their ideas could be stolen,” she says. “SongProof was designed to change that — to make protection simple, instant, and accessible to everyone.”
The idea of using blockchain — the same technology that underpins cryptocurrencies — might sound complex, but its genius lies in its simplicity. SongProof allows artists to upload their song, fill in key details such as title and collaborators, and within minutes receive a timestamped certificate that’s permanently recorded on both the Bitcoin and Polygon blockchains.
That timestamp can’t be altered, deleted, or faked — effectively acting as an immutable “digital fingerprint” of ownership. “It’s like sealing your song in a time capsule that no one can ever open or tamper with,” Rizvi explains. “That record becomes compelling evidence in any legal or commercial setting.”
The implications are enormous. Traditional copyright registration can take months and often costs hundreds of dollars. SongProof offers a solution that’s faster, global, and designed for the digital generation of musicians who release songs on platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube every day.
And while it doesn’t replace formal copyright registration, it complements it perfectly — offering immediate proof of authorship that can later strengthen a legal claim.
“Most artists don’t realise how vulnerable they are,” Rizvi says. “SongProof is that first line of defence — a way of saying, ‘This is mine,’ from the very first moment of creation.”
Rizvi knows the value of timing. Having graduated in the top one percent of her class from the University of East London and passing the New York State Bar at just 23, she built a legal career focused on empowering others. Today, she runs Rizvi Legal Professional Corporation, specialising in entertainment law, family law, real estate, and intellectual property — and continues to champion innovation that bridges creativity and law.
Her passion for accessibility has shaped SongProof’s philosophy. Users don’t need to understand blockchain or own cryptocurrency wallets. The platform hides all that complexity behind a clean, intuitive interface — one designed for artists, not tech experts. “Technology should serve creatives, not intimidate them,” she says.
That accessibility also extends to price. While traditional copyright filings can stretch small budgets, SongProof offers free and low-cost options. Its goal is clear: empower artists everywhere, from garage bands and bedroom producers to established musicians who want to secure their next hit before anyone else hears it.
The platform’s potential extends far beyond music. Because the technology validates authorship of any digital file, it could one day safeguard poetry, photography, scripts, and spoken word. As Rizvi notes, “It’s really about creative rights — protecting the spark, whatever form it takes.”
Legal recognition of blockchain timestamps is already spreading, with courts in the U.S., U.K., EU, and Canadaacknowledging their evidentiary value. That means SongProof’s certificates are more than digital badges — they’re legal proof of originality.
It’s a development that could shift the balance of power in an industry long dominated by labels, publishers, and platforms. “For too long, artists have been the most vulnerable players in the music ecosystem,” Rizvi says. “Tools like SongProof help level that playing field.”
As more creators turn to technology for empowerment, SongProof stands as part of a broader movement — one where ownership is instant, global, and transparent. It’s proof that the future of music isn’t just about what we hear, but about who can prove they made it.
“Every artist deserves recognition from the moment they create,” says Rizvi. “That’s what this is really about — turning creativity into something that can never be taken away.”
