When a distribution release is submitted, our team reviews it. If an issue is found during that review, the release is typically rejected.
This rejection is communicated via an email that explains the reason and how you can resolve it.
If your release is locked, it means it has been submitted for distribution too many times without resolving the rejection reason. This means it can no longer be submitted for distribution on eMastered.
The most common reasons releases get locked are from artwork issues or proof of rights issues that do not get resolved in subsequent submission attempts.
To prevent your release from being locked, be sure to edit the release in the way the rejection email requests.
For example, if the rejection is tied to artwork, make sure to make the recommended changes from the rejection email to the new artwork you distribute.
The easiest way to get a release locked is to resubmit it as-is with no changes, expecting it to go through (it won't).