> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.beatpass.ca/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Audio Fingerprinting

> Learn how BeatPass protects your music with audio fingerprinting technology. Understand duplicate detection and content protection.

BeatPass fingerprints uploaded audio to help detect duplicate content and support license verification. This page documents the current producer-facing behavior during upload and after the beat is saved.

***

## What Fingerprinting Does

When you upload a beat, BeatPass uses fingerprinting to:

* Check whether the audio already exists in the catalog
* Mark the beat as verified unique when no duplicate is found
* Support later license verification and related producer tools

***

## Current Upload Flow

During upload, BeatPass currently moves through these states:

| Status              | Meaning                                                                    |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Pending**         | The upload exists but the fingerprint check has not started                |
| **Checking**        | BeatPass is starting duplicate detection                                   |
| **Analyzing**       | BeatPass is analyzing the audio fingerprint                                |
| **Verified Unique** | No duplicate was found                                                     |
| **Check Failed**    | Verification did not finish; upload the audio file again before publishing |

## If BeatPass Finds a Duplicate

When a duplicate or near-duplicate is detected, BeatPass can show:

* Your uploaded file name
* The matching existing track
* Similarity details
* When the original was fingerprinted

In that situation, the duplicate must be resolved before you treat the upload as a valid new beat.

## If the Check Fails

BeatPass keeps the form available when the fingerprint check fails, but it does not allow the beat to be published. Upload the audio file again to restart verification.

<Warning>
  **Check Failed** is different from a confirmed duplicate. It means BeatPass could not confirm that the beat is unique. Contact support if verification repeatedly fails on a valid WAV file.
</Warning>

***

## Fingerprint Status After the Beat Is Saved

On saved tracks, BeatPass currently uses these edit-time states:

| Status            | Meaning                                      |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Fingerprinted** | The beat has a completed fingerprint         |
| **Processing**    | BeatPass is still working on the fingerprint |
| **Failed**        | Fingerprinting did not complete successfully |
| **Pending**       | Fingerprinting has not completed yet         |

These appear in the track form's **Audio Fingerprint** area.

***

## Replacing Audio

If you replace the audio file on an existing beat:

1. BeatPass uploads the new file
2. The beat is fingerprinted again
3. The fingerprint state updates to reflect the new audio

This is useful when you need to fix or improve the master, but it also means the new file must pass BeatPass duplicate rules again.

Use **Replace audio** in the floating action bar on the track edit page. This action is unavailable after an exclusive certificate has been issued.

***

## When to Contact Support

Contact support if:

* BeatPass flags your own legitimate upload as a duplicate
* Someone else appears to have uploaded your beat
* Fingerprinting repeatedly fails on a valid WAV file

Bring the track name and any duplicate details BeatPass showed you.

***

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Upload Page" icon="cloud-arrow-up" href="/help/uploading/upload-page">
    See how fingerprint status fits into the upload form.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sample-Safe Warranty" icon="shield" href="/help/uploading/sample-safe">
    Understand the separate sample-clearance status shown to buyers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>