Unlike the mechanical licenses used to release a cover song on an album, video sync licenses don't have an affordable flat rate and require the publisher's explicit permission. First of all, it’s likely that most cover artists you see on YouTube are not jumping through all of the correct legal hoops. With over 75 years of experience licensing music, BMI meets the needs of businesses by granting permission to play over 17 million musical works. All songs published in 1922 or earlier are in the public domain, meaning they are no longer protected by copyright and can be used by anyone. This is not practical in most cases, but there's no reason not to try, particularly for a sync license. But without help, licensing cover songs can be a huge hassle—the terms are often confusing and time-consuming. License your song. COVER SONG A cover song is any new performance or recording of a song that was previously written, recorded, and released by someone else. SecondHandSongs will be who I reach out to in the future for any music rights questions and licensing … Our … You need a mechanical license from the original writer or publisher to record and release cover songs. What’s more, the royalty rate is always the same—it’s “statutory,” meaning fixed and not subject to individual negotiation—no matter who covers the song and how many (or few) copies they sell. Where to get a license. You can look into purchasing a mechanical license for a cover song in the US from The Harry Fox Agency or … require the appropriate credentials, specific licenses are required to legally distribute, adapt, and publicly perform music. Step 2 – Mechanical License. This PDF attachment is what you will need to provide as proof that you have legally cleared your song(s). How to Get Rights to Cover a Song. They responded quickly and professionally and saved my company valuable time. Mix your style with a proven song and a creative cover can help you break down walls and reach a whole new world of listeners. According to copyright law, cover songs cannot alter the underlying arrangement or melody. For more information about purchasing cover song licenses through DistroKid, please see this article. This allows us to pay out the original songwriters and pay for the license. Our partner—Easy Song Licensing—can help you get a mechanical license for your cover songs. Cover Song Licensing Another really big player in cover song licensing and digital distribution is Soundrop. That means they’ll contact the copyright holders and help you obtain 100% of the rights you need to release any cover song. Give us a call and we can help you with your questions and custom licensing needs. If you would like help reaching out to the publisher of the song to obtain a synchronization license for your cover song, Easy Song Licensing can help. Such bands draw from current Top 40 hits and/or those of previous decades to provide nostalgic entertainment in bars, on cruise ships and at such events as weddings, family celebrations and corporate functions. Not only will they license and distribute songs for a low one-time fee, they are also a fantastic resource on everything that should be considered when releasing a cover online. Customize your license. For example if I recorded my own cover of blink 182s "what's my age again" and credit the original authors in the Metadata, do I need to buy a mechanical license to release it exclusively on Spotify You’re well on your way to one of the best cover songs! If you're interested in a license for recording or selling a copyrighted song, you'll need what's called a mechanical license—a license that allows one artist to create a new version of another's copyrighted song. In a cover, artists will replace the original vocals and instrumentation with their own. Understanding how to legally post cover songs to YouTube will help you build an audience while getting paid and avoiding copyright issues. Cover song videos are hugely popular on YouTube, and making a cover song video is one of the most proven ways to get new listeners and viewers to check out your other songs, including your original material.Here, we’ll walk you through YouTube licensing laws and how to navigate the platform’s rules. Obtain permission (a license) from the owners of a song when you record a cover of it. If you plan on distributing a cover song with TuneCore, you will need to obtain a mechanical license from the original copyright holder before you release your song digitally. Without help licensing cover songs can be a huge hassle—the terms are often confusing and time-consuming. Releases with cover songs will be submitted as soon as the license is approved by our third-party licensing service. They’re a digital aggregator and music licensor with a primary focus on cover songs. How to Cover Songs on YouTube - Tips from a Singer & Lawyer!! Licensing Music: Cover Songs, Samples, and Public Domain by Chris Robley | July 23, 2010 Just as driving a school bus, flying an airplane, and operating heavy machinery (legally!) Submit your order and pay $15 + royalty fees. Cover Song Licensing. Licenses from Easy Song Licensing never expire. (323) 776-6475. However, it is important to know the laws regarding cover songs before you start covering other artists. Learn how it works > Licensing Questions. A different situation is presented if your band, instead of simply wanting to cover a song live, decides it wants to record a cover version of another artist's song. Now there may be some cases when using these agencies that the song you wish to cover comes up saying "This song is not available for mechanical licensing". How to legally post a cover song video on YouTube. Get a mechanical license to release your cover song on CD, tape, vinyl, or as a digital download. You need custom licensing if you need permission for any of the following: Non-compulsory cover songs This is my cover of a song written by somebody else. Learn more.” This shit is beyond complicated and I’ve probably lost you by now, BUT the only thing you really need to know is get a license up front before you sell your cover song on iTunes, BandCamp or CD and pay for the estimated number of downloads you’re going to sell. Cover Songs: Performing and Recording Them Legally by Sue Basko See also: Recording a Cover Song: Most Basic Things in Music Law #1 See also: Cover Songs on … In terms of cover song licensing, there is good news! • You will get Proof of Licensing in your email in 1-2 business days. Cover songs or ‘covers’ are re-recorded versions of a song. Luckily, digital distribution has made cover song licenses for all major streaming platforms simple and quick. For all other songs, you can’t legally perform or distribute them on YouTube unless you obtain a license. We make it safe and affordable to legally license and distribute cover songs to the most popular music platforms. If you want to record a song, especially if you plan to make money from it, you may need a mechanical license with the copyright holder. makes it possible for them to license 100% of any song. How Can a Lawyer Help Me? However, if you’re looking to license famous songs by top artists, the price can skyrocket to … Receive your license. LANDR charges a fee of $15 USD for cover song licensing. However, even people who avoid getting the right licenses for songs may still have their YouTube income claimed by the owner of the original copyright. Mechanical Licensing for Cover Songs: If you’ve recorded a version of another artist’s song and you plan to distribute it online, you’ll need a mechanical license. Their licensing partners quickly found the owner of the copyright I needed and negotiated a license for our use of the music. Provide details about your song. In other words, the cost of licensing a famous song can vary quite a bit. But if you do cover a song, you must pay a royalty to the song’s creator (that’s the licensing part). But if you change lyrics, the melody, or make any changes that don't fit within the compulsory law limitations, then custom licensing is necessary. License your cover songs, for life. Therefore, remixed or off-the-wall covers of songs may not be applicable under a compulsory cover license. Cover acts or bands are entertainers who perform a broad variety of crowd-pleasing cover songs for audiences who enjoy the familiarity of hit songs. Get A License. It never hurts to ask but we cannot assist in this process. Is it necessary to get licenses to release cover songs if I plan to only release them on Spotify? I read somewhere Spotify pays for covers. License your Cover Song with Loudr. You'll be paid revenue for these vid Get a license here. If it is a song by a small independent artist, the cost of a license could be between $50 and $150. Mechanical Licenses for the sale and distribution of cover songs. This is part two in our look at how to effectively use cover songs and Youtube to promote your music. The compulsory cover license only applies to covers that are consistent with the original rendition of the song. Most cover songs can be easily obtained with a mechanical license in just a couple business days. Please note: Securing cover song licenses can take up to 14 business days. Cover Song Licensing. For one of your cover songs, you could even have your fans vote to choose the song! https://www.dittomusic.com/blog/what-license-do-i-need-for-my-music However, musicians don’t need a license to cover a song live, it is the responsibility of the venue. Share your music and earn revenue while meeting the legal requirements of covering a song. You could use voting polls on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to get your fans involved. You can see part one and 5 questions about Youtube cover songs answered here.. Today though, we’re going to look at how to get a synchronization license (also known as a sync license) and some of the legal questions surrounding whether cover songs are allowed on Youtube or not. Creators participating in the YouTube Partner Program can share revenue from eligible cover song videos on YouTube, once music publisher owners claim those videos. License 100 % of any song will get Proof of licensing a song. The compulsory cover license you with your questions and custom licensing needs perform distribute! Credentials, specific licenses are required to legally license and distribute cover songs or covers! Instrumentation with their own our third-party licensing service them on YouTube - Tips from Singer! 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