Using this service will cost $16 per track. Songfile: This cover song licensing service offers mechanical licensing information and tools.Visit the following websites for more information: There are two cover song licensing services which let you apply for a license to record a cover song. Where can I get a license to record a cover song? In the remainder of this article, we will look at the varying uses of cover songs and how copyright law applies to them. So, do you need a licence to do cover songs? How you intend to use another musician’s track will dictate whether or not you need a licence and, if you do, what type of licence you need to obtain before you can legitimately cover the song. Make sure you are set up to receive performance royalties.You can also search for a song’s ISRC Code using the Music Gateway ISRC Finder Tool. Get an International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) to distinguish your cover version from anybody else’s.Get the licenses which let you record and release the original composition.If you are considering legally recording another artist’s song, here are some steps you should think about first. However, whilst covering a song and uploading it is the simple part, it can lead to legal complications if you then decide to release and make money from the track. The explosion of social media networks and music publishing platforms such as SoundCloud and YouTube has led to an increase in licensing requests, and singers seeking permission to cover songs they plan on releasing.Īnd there’s a good reason why some very large artists gained popularity and exposure by first publishing cover versions to get discovered. How to get permission to cover a song and release it The copyright for a particular recording is held by the producer of that sound recording (probably a record label), whereas the rights to the underlying song will be in the hands of the songwriter, or their publisher. These two licences might be held by different people or organisations, even for the same song. Songs are protected by two separate types of copyright: one for the specific recording, and another which protects the underlying lyrics and musical composition. Cover song copyright law in the UK Is covering a song, without first obtaining a licence, copyright infringement?Ĭopyright law protects the rights of the original artist, to ensure that they receive due recognition and payment for their creative property. You also can’t make any major changes to the lyrics or melody but there is an allowance to make your own interpretations of the performance. This means that the license won’t cover music videos or videos of you performing the cover. Therefore, if a song hasn’t been commercially released as a record then you can’t get a compulsory license.Īnother condition is that the license is for recording only. There also needs to be a public release of the first recording. It isn’t compulsory to grant a mechanical license when there is no previously recorded version of a song. The rights owner of a song has the right to control who makes the first record. However, this is providing the use of the song falls under a certain set of conditions. This means that the owner of the song’s copyright has an obligation to give you a license. What is a cover song license?Ī new recording of an existing song requires a cover song license, referred to as a compulsory mechanical license. Copyright is attributed to the original songwriter whenever a song is written or recorded, provided that there is tangible evidence. This is done by getting permission from the rightsholder and in the UK, this is through MCPS. Performances in the UK are upheld by a venue’s PRS license but cover songs will need their own license. You do not need permission to cover a song live. What is a cover song?Ĭover songs or cover versions, are performances or recordings of an existing song by someone other than the original performing artist. The content in this article is just a general overview of the topic and should not be considered legal advice. However, musicians don’t need a license to cover a song live, it is the responsibility of the venue. You need a mechanical license from the original writer or publisher to record and release cover songs. However, it is important to know the laws before you start covering other artists. Cover songs can help singers to build their audience but it may require licensing in certain situations.
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