Cover songs give artists the chance to pay homage to their favorite tracks while adding their personal touch. However, understanding the licensing requirements for cover songs is crucial before you start covering other artists. In this blog, we will help you navigate the essentials of cover song licensing, ensuring you remain compliant and can confidently release your renditions.
What is a Cover Song?
A cover song is a new performance or recording of a previously released song by an artist other than the original performer or songwriter. It involves interpreting the song while preserving its original composition, including melody and lyrics.
It’s important to note that making significant changes to the original structure may prevent it from legally being considered a cover. Legal licensing for cover songs typically doesn’t apply to remixes or mashups, which alter the original song’s melody, lyrics, or arrangement significantly.
Legal Requirements for Releasing a Cover Song
Every new song automatically receives copyright protection, granting the creator exclusive rights to their work. To legally release a cover song of a previously released song, obtaining a mechanical license, also known as a compulsory license, is generally required. This license permits you to record and sell your version of the song with the song owner’s approval.
For non-streaming services or purchase stores, obtaining a mechanical license is mandatory. This license allows you to legally distribute digital downloads or physical copies of your cover song.
On eligible streaming platforms covered by the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), blanket mechanical licenses are administered. The MLC collects and distributes royalties to songwriters, composers, lyricists, and publishers, ensuring they are compensated when their work is streamed. Properly crediting the original authors and publishers is crucial for compliance, and in these cases, you typically do not need a separate mechanical license for covers.
If a song is in the public domain, meaning it is no longer under copyright protection, you do not need a mechanical license to cover it. However, most popular songs are still under copyright, so it’s essential to verify the status of the song you wish to cover.
How to Obtain a Mechanical License
Obtaining a mechanical license can be done through various methods, with one of the most straightforward approaches being the use of licensing services like Harry Fox Agency (HFA) or its self-service platform, Songfile. HFA specializes in issuing mechanical licenses and managing royalty payments for music publishers. Through Songfile, independent artists and small labels can efficiently search for their desired song, pay the required licensing fee, and obtain licenses for digital downloads, physical copies, and interactive streams.
Similarly, Easy Song offers a streamlined process for securing mechanical licenses. This third-party company manages the licensing process by collecting information about the song and its intended use, ensuring compliance with copyright laws and proper royalty distribution to rights holders.
How to distribute a cover song with Label Engine
When distributing a cover song through Label Engine, it’s essential to include the following information in your release details:
- Original Publisher(s): Provide the name(s) of the original song publisher(s).
- Original Composer(s): Provide the name(s) of the original song composer(s).
- Original Lyricist(s): Provide the name(s) of the original song lyricist(s).
- Original Title: Stylize the song title exactly as it appears in the original version.
Please attach your mechanical license to the notes section within your release or send it to support@label-engine.com.
If you have any questions or need further assistance with distributing cover songs, please contact our support team at support@label-engine.com.