Soundrop can help you obtain a mechanical license under U.S. copyright law, covering downloads in the United States. We charge a one-time fee of $0.99 per composition for cover song licensing. In most cases, this will mean $0.99 per track. There are no annual or subscription fees with Soundrop!
✅What We Can License:
Cover Songs:
A cover song is another artist's recording of a song that was previously written (or arranged), recorded, and released by someone else and is not public domain. Soundrop can help with licensing a cover song provided that the original work has been officially released in the US.
🚫What We Can't License
Public Domain:
No license needed!
If a song's music & lyrics were published on or before December 31, 1928, then the song is considered in the public domain in the US. To check if your song is in the public domain in the US, you can use this handy tool: pdinfo.com. If you are playing a specific arrangement made after 1928 (even if the original was written before 1928), you'll need to purchase a license.
Derivative Works: Translations, Interpolation & Modified Cover Songs:
Any time the fundamental character of the lyrics and/or melody are altered from their original fixed tangible medium, the use falls into a "derivative work.” This requires a negotiated royalty rate or fee between the publisher and the music user.
Why we can't license it: Derivative works are not covered under standard mechanical (cover song) licensing.
Medleys & Mashups:
A medley is a series of songs recorded in sequence into a single track. Mashups are similar to medleys, but usually significantly alter the original composition of a song and qualify as a derivative work. If your medley or mashup alters the original composition of your cover, it may be best to consult a music lawyer!
Why we can't license it: At the beginning of 2021, the Music Modernization Act (MMA) went into effect, and it brought changes to how we license medleys. Now, publishers are required to register every medley as a new work in order to properly collect royalties. This means that medleys no longer fall under compulsory mechanical licensing and require direct permission from the publishers for any future releases.
Samples & Remixes:
A sample is a piece of a sound recording that is used in another sound recording. While you can sample and remix your own content, cover song licensing does not extend to sampling and remixing work from other artists.
Why we can't license it: Direct permission from both the composition owner and the sound recording owner, who may not be the same person/people or entity, is required.
Parodies:
Creating a parody sometimes falls under "Fair Use,” and you may not need a cover song license. Keep in mind that there are a number of factors that go into determining whether a song is legally a parody. It’s always best to contact a music lawyer to discuss whether your song falls under fair use.
Why we can't license it: Requires legal consultation and/or direct permission from the original publisher.
I already have a license
You will still need to get one through Soundrop because we aren't able to accept outside licenses for cover songs. You can certainly use your license for transactions outside of Soundrop (like sales on Bandcamp or physical CD sales)!
IMPORTANT: The licenses you obtain from Soundrop are valid for releases within the United States only.
⚠️ If you wish to distribute worldwide, you are responsible for obtaining additional custom licensing agreements with the copyright holders beyond the required licenses obtained through Soundrop. ⚠️
What if obtaining a license fails?
There are a couple of reasons a license could have failed.
- We were not able to obtain a license given the information you provided.
- Licensing the specific cover is not possible due to the original song not being officially released yet in the US, the composition not otherwise being eligible for licensing or if the publisher cannot be contacted for licensing covers.
If a cover cannot obtain a license, then we will notify you through email with the reason why we could not obtain the license.