Cover Song Licensing

Recording and distributing a cover song requires a mechanical license. This guide explains what counts as a cover, how to get licensed, and how to set everything up in LabelGrid.

What is a Cover Song?

A cover song is your own recording of a song written by someone else. You perform and record it, but the underlying composition (melody and lyrics) belongs to the original songwriter.

Example: Your band records “Yesterday” by The Beatles. You own the recording, but Lennon/McCartney own the composition.

What is NOT a cover

These require different types of licenses and are handled differently:

Type	What it is	License needed
Remix	A modified version of someone else’s recording	Master recording license
Sample	Using a portion of another recording in your song	Master + publishing license
Interpolation	Re-recording part of another song’s melody or lyrics	Publishing license (negotiated)
Mashup	Combining two or more songs together	Licenses for each song used
Derivative work	Significantly altering the original (parody, new lyrics)	Negotiated license with publisher

Not sure if your track is a cover? If you’re performing someone else’s song in your own style without significantly changing the melody or lyrics, it’s a cover. If you’ve made major creative changes, you may need a negotiated license instead. When in doubt, contact support.

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Why You Need a Mechanical License

When you distribute a cover song, the original songwriter deserves royalties for use of their composition. A mechanical license grants you legal permission to record and distribute their song.

Without a license, you risk:

• Takedowns - Platforms remove your release
• Legal action - The songwriter can sue for infringement
• Account issues - Your distributor account may be terminated
• Financial penalties - Statutory damages up to $150,000 per infringement

Caution

“Fair use” does not apply to distributing full cover songs. You always need a license.

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How to Get a Mechanical License

Option 1: Easy Song Licensing (recommended)

LabelGrid partners with Easy Song Licensing to make licensing straightforward. When you mark a track as a cover in LabelGrid and indicate you haven’t secured a license yet, you’ll see a direct link to Easy Song Licensing.

Option 2: Other licensing services

Service	Best for
Songfile (Harry Fox Agency)	US mechanical licenses
Limelight	Cover song licensing

Option 3: Direct from the publisher

For complex situations (significant arrangement changes, medleys, or international rights), contact the publisher directly:

1. Find the publisher using ASCAP ACE or BMI Repertoire
2. Contact their licensing department
3. Negotiate and execute a license agreement

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How to Set Up a Cover in LabelGrid

Step 1: Set the composition type

1. Open the track editor for your cover song
2. Go to the Master tab
3. Set Composition Type to Cover Song

Step 2: Complete the Licenses tab

1. Click the Licenses tab in the track editor
2. Answer the question: “Have you secured a mechanical license?”

If Yes:

1. Select how you obtained the license:
   • Licensing agency (e.g., Easy Song Licensing, Harry Fox)
   • Direct from publisher
2. Enter the License ID from your provider
3. Enter the Provider Name
4. Upload your license documentation (PDF or image)
5. Provide a link to the original track (Spotify or Apple Music link preferred)

If No:

1. You’ll see a link to Easy Song Licensing
2. Use the link to obtain your license
3. Once you have the license, come back to this tab and update the information

You can save and come back. If you’re waiting for your license, save the track and return to complete the Licenses tab before submitting the release.

Step 3: Credit the songwriters

1. Go to the Splits tab (publishing splits section)
2. Add the original songwriter(s) as composers
3. Include publisher information if known

Crediting rules:

• Credit the original songwriters - not yourself (unless you co-wrote the original)
• Keep the original song title as your track title (don’t add “Cover” or other suffixes)
• Note the cover status in the track description if desired

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What You Can and Can’t Change

Under a standard compulsory mechanical license:

Allowed

• Change the arrangement, genre, or style
• Change the tempo or key
• Change the instrumentation
• Sing in your own voice and style
• Record in a completely different genre

Not allowed

• Change the fundamental melody
• Substantially alter the lyrics
• Combine with other copyrighted songs (medley - requires separate licenses)
• Use for video or film (requires a sync license)

Need to make bigger changes? If you want to significantly alter lyrics, create a parody, or create a medley, you need a negotiated license directly with the publisher rather than a compulsory license.

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Cover Songs and Video

A mechanical license covers audio distribution only (streaming, downloads, physical). If you want to release a music video, lyric video, or any visual content featuring your cover, you need an additional sync license.

Sync licenses must be negotiated directly with the publisher - there is no compulsory right for sync use.

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Public Domain Songs

Songs whose copyright has expired (generally pre-1928 in the US) are in the public domain. You do not need a mechanical license for these.

Be careful: Even for public domain songs, specific arrangements may be copyrighted separately. Verify the specific version you’re covering is truly public domain.

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Troubleshooting

Release rejected for cover issues

1. Verify you have a valid mechanical license
2. Check that songwriter and publisher credits are correct
3. Make sure your license covers the distribution territories
4. Provide license documentation if requested by the review team

Can’t find the rights holder

1. Search ASCAP ACE and BMI Repertoire
2. Try the Harry Fox Agency database
3. Search music publisher directories
4. Consider using Easy Song Licensing - they handle the rights holder search for you

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Quick Checklist

Before submitting a cover song release:

• Composition type set to Cover Song on the Master tab
• Mechanical license obtained
• License details entered on the Licenses tab
• Original songwriters credited (not yourself)
• Original song title used (no “Cover” suffix)
• If video: separate sync license obtained

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Need Help?

If you have questions about cover song licensing, contact our support team. For complex licensing situations, consider consulting a music attorney.