A replicating plant (110) receives a master recording (102) comprising a number of tracks from a content producer (101). The audio fingerprints of the tracks are computed and submitted to a verifying server (120). The server performs a database lookup to identify the tracks based on the submitted fingerprints. The list with identified tracks is then compared against authoritative lists (103) submitted by content providers (101). If a match is found, the verifying server (120) transmits a positive response to the replicating plant (110), otherwise it transmits a negative response. Preferably the response is digitally signed to allow the replicating plant (110) to verify its authenticity. The response may include the matching authoritative track list, so that the replicating plant (110) also obtains accurate metadata for the tracks. This metadata could then be included in the replicated copies (112).