An artist alias, or stage name, is the name under which an artist releases music instead of their legal name. Many musicians use one, and in lo-fi and electronic music it is common for producers to run several aliases for different styles or projects. On streaming services each alias usually has its own artist profile, so consistent spelling in the metadata sent by the distributor helps keep releases off someone else’s page.
An alias does not change who owns the rights: they belong to the real author or rights holder, whose legal identity is recorded with distributors and collecting societies. The name itself is not protected by copyright, which the US Copyright Office says does not cover names. Protection usually comes from trade mark registration, available nationally or EU-wide through EUIPO, which in most countries lasts ten years and can be renewed. In the EU, pseudonymous works are protected for 70 years from publication unless the author’s identity is clear.
Checking that a name is free before launching is sensible; for registration or disputes, a trade mark attorney can advise.