Cover Song Licensing Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026)

Want to release a cover song legally? This guide covers everything you need to know about music licensing — from mechanical licenses to sync rights, compulsory licensing to YouTube's Content ID.

Types of Music Licenses

Understanding the different licenses is crucial before releasing covers.

Mechanical License

What it is: Permission to reproduce and distribute a musical composition.

When you need it: Any time you record and distribute a cover song (streaming, downloads, CDs).

Key facts:

• Required for Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
• Compulsory in the US (can't be refused)
• Set statutory rate (9.1¢ per copy)
• Does not include video rights

Synchronization (Sync) License

What it is: Permission to pair music with visual content.

When you need it: Music in videos, films, commercials, games.

Key facts:

• NOT compulsory (can be refused)
• Negotiated case-by-case
• Often expensive
• Required for YouTube covers (technically)

Performance License

What it is: Permission to publicly perform music.

When you need it: Live performances, radio, streaming playback.

Key facts:

• Usually handled by venues (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)
• Streaming platforms have their own deals
• You typically don't need to get this yourself

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Compulsory Mechanical Licensing Explained

The most important concept for cover artists:

What is Compulsory Licensing?

In the US, once a song has been publicly released, anyone can record a cover by paying the statutory rate. The copyright holder cannot refuse.

Requirements:

1. Song must be previously released (not unreleased)
2. You must pay statutory royalties (currently 9.1¢ per copy)
3. You cannot change the fundamental character of the song
4. You must properly credit the original writers

What You Can Do:

• Change the arrangement (tempo, genre, instrumentation)
• Use different instrumentation
• Record in a different key
• Shorten or lengthen sections

What You Cannot Do:

• Significantly change lyrics
• Make it "unrecognizable" as the original
• Sample the original recording (that's different rights)

How to Get a Mechanical License

Option 1: Through Your Distributor (Easiest)

Most modern distributors offer cover licensing:

How it works:

1. Select "This is a cover song"
2. Enter song details
3. Pay licensing fee
4. Distributor handles the rest

Option 2: Harry Fox Agency (HFA)

The primary US mechanical rights organization:

1. Go to songfile.com
2. Search for the song
3. Purchase license
4. Receive documentation

Cost: Statutory rate + processing fee

Option 3: Easy Song Licensing

Specialized service for independent artists:

• songfile.com (HFA's portal)
• easysonglyicensing.com
• loudr.fm

What Information You'll Need:

• Song title
• Original songwriter(s) — all writers
• Publisher(s) if known
• Your estimated distribution (for physical copies)
• Release date

Statutory Rates (2026)

The rates set by the Copyright Royalty Board:

Physical/Permanent Digital Downloads

• Songs 5 minutes or under: 9.1¢ per copy
• Songs over 5 minutes: 1.75¢ per minute

Streaming

Interactive streaming rates are calculated differently:

• Based on percentage of revenue or per-play rates
• Your distributor/aggregator handles this
• You typically see it as reduced royalties on covers

Example Costs

For streaming, licensing costs are typically built into the lower royalty rate you receive for covers.

Sync Licensing for Video Covers

Here's where it gets complicated:

YouTube Covers

Technically required: A sync license In practice: YouTube's Content ID system

How Content ID works:

1. You upload a cover video
2. Content ID detects the song
3. Copyright holder chooses to:
   • Monetize your video (most common)
   • Block your video (rare)
   • Do nothing (rare)

Result: Most cover videos stay up but aren't monetized for the creator.

To Properly Monetize YouTube Covers

You would need:

1. Mechanical license (for the audio recording)
2. Sync license (for pairing with video)

Sync licenses are:

• Not compulsory
• Often prohibitively expensive
• Difficult to obtain as an individual

Reality check: Most independent artists just accept Content ID monetization.

Platform-Specific Guidelines

Spotify

• Mechanical license required
• Handle through distributor
• Properly credit songwriters
• Cover shows up like any other song

Apple Music

• Same as Spotify
• Mechanical license via distributor
• Must credit original writers
• Cover art should be original (not original album art)

YouTube Music

• Same as Spotify/Apple
• Audio-only uploads work like streaming
• Video uploads trigger Content ID

SoundCloud

• Officially requires licensing
• Content ID-like detection system
• Many covers exist unmonetized

TikTok / Instagram

• Platform has licensing deals
• Using their music feature is covered
• Original cover recordings may be detected

Amazon Music

• Standard mechanical license
• Via distributor
• Credit requirements apply

International Considerations

Licensing varies by country:

United States

• Compulsory mechanical licensing
• Statutory rates
• Section 115 of the Copyright Act

UK

• Different statutory rate
• MCPS handles mechanical rights
• Similar concept to US

European Union

• Varies by country
• Generally similar mechanical rights systems
• SDRM, GEMA, etc.

Canada

• CMRRA handles mechanicals
• Similar to US system
• Different rate structure

Rest of World

• Varies significantly
• Aggregators often handle international licensing
• Using US-based distributors generally covers you

Common Licensing Mistakes

Mistake 1: Assuming You Don't Need a License

If you're distributing (streaming, selling, downloading), you need a mechanical license. No exceptions.

Mistake 2: Using the Original Recording

A mechanical license lets you record YOUR OWN version. Using the original recording requires master rights (much harder/expensive to get).

Mistake 3: Changing Lyrics Without Permission

The compulsory license covers the song "as written." Significant lyric changes require separate permission.

Mistake 4: Using Original Album Art

This is trademark infringement. Create your own cover art.

Mistake 5: Thinking YouTube = Licensed

YouTube's Content ID isn't a license — it's a workaround. You technically need proper sync licensing for video covers.

FAQ

How much does it cost to license a cover song?

$10-20 for the licensing fee, plus ongoing royalties (built into your streaming earnings).

Can publishers refuse to license a cover?

For mechanical licenses: No (compulsory in US for released songs). For sync licenses: Yes (they can refuse).

How long does licensing take?

Through distributors: Usually instant to a few days. Direct through HFA: 1-2 weeks.

Do I need separate licenses for each platform?

No — one mechanical license covers all audio distribution. Video platforms are separate (sync rights).

What about public domain songs?

Songs in public domain (very old songs, typically pre-1928 in US) don't require licensing. But specific arrangements might be copyrighted.

Can I license a song that hasn't been released?

No — compulsory licensing only applies to previously released songs. For unreleased songs, you'd need direct permission.

Do I need to license acoustic/stripped down versions differently?

No — a mechanical license covers any arrangement. It's still the same underlying composition.

What if I can't find the song in the licensing database?

Contact your distributor or use services like Easy Song Licensing. Some songs require direct negotiation with publishers.

Step-by-Step: Licensing Your First Cover

Phase 1: Research

1. Identify the song
2. Find original songwriter(s) — not the performing artist
3. Note the publisher (if visible)
4. Confirm it's been commercially released

Phase 2: Get Licensed

1. Choose your distributor
2. Upload your recording
3. Select "cover song" option
4. Enter song details and pay fee
5. Distributor secures license

Phase 3: Release

1. Set release date
2. Ensure credits are accurate
3. Create original artwork
4. Distribute to all platforms

Phase 4: Ongoing

• Royalties to original writers handled automatically
• Your earnings are net of mechanical royalties
• Monitor for any issues

The Bottom Line

Cover song licensing is simpler than it seems:

1. For streaming/downloads: Get a mechanical license through your distributor. It's cheap and automatic.

2. For YouTube: Accept Content ID monetization unless you want to pursue sync licensing (expensive, difficult).

3. For live performance: The venue's blanket license usually covers you.

The infrastructure for licensing covers is well-established. Don't let the legal aspects stop you — just follow the process and focus on making great music.

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Extract backing tracks from any song.

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• ✅ Works with any song

Still requires licensing for public distribution

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