Soundrop can help you obtain a mechanical license when you distribute an eligible cover song. A cover song is your own recording of a song that was previously written, recorded, and officially released by someone else. The original song must have been officially released in the United States to be eligible for cover song licensing through Soundrop.
What cover songs can Soundrop license?
Soundrop can generally license a cover song if:
- you're creating your own recording of an existing song;
- the original song has been officially released in the United States;
- you're not significantly changing the original lyrics or melody; and
- the song meets the requirements for a standard mechanical license.
Soundrop charges a one-time $0.99 licensing fee per composition. In most cases, this means $0.99 per cover song. There are no annual or subscription fees for your Soundrop cover song license.
What can't Soundrop license?
Soundrop can't provide a standard cover song license for the following types of content.
Derivative works and modified cover songs
A cover song license doesn't give you permission to significantly change the original lyrics or melody. This includes:
- translations;
- interpolations; and
- other significant changes to the original composition.
These changes may create a derivative work, which requires permission directly from the copyright owner.
Medleys and mashups
Soundrop can't provide standard cover song licensing for medleys or mashups. These uses may require direct permission from the relevant music publishers or copyright owners.
Samples and remixes
A cover song license doesn't give you permission to use another artist's original recording. If your track contains a sample from someone else's recording or remixes someone else's recording, you'll need the appropriate permissions from the owners of both the composition and the sound recording.
Parodies
Soundrop can't determine whether a parody qualifies as fair use or obtain the permissions that may be required for a parody. If you're creating a parody, you may need to obtain permission directly from the copyright owner or seek legal advice.
What about public domain songs?
If a composition is in the public domain in the United States, you don't need a cover song license for the original composition. However, a newer arrangement of a public domain composition may still be protected by copyright.
If you're recording a copyrighted arrangement rather than creating your own arrangement of the underlying public domain composition, additional permissions may be required.
What if I already have my own cover song license?
Soundrop can't accept an outside cover song license for releases distributed through Soundrop. You'll still need to complete Soundrop's cover song licensing process. An outside license you've obtained may still apply to uses outside Soundrop, depending on the terms of that license.
Where does my Soundrop cover song license apply?
Cover song licenses obtained through Soundrop cover releases in the United States. If you distribute your cover song outside the United States, you're responsible for making sure you have any additional rights or licenses required in those territories.
What if Soundrop can't license my cover song?
Sometimes Soundrop may be unable to obtain a license. This can happen if:
- the information provided isn't enough to identify the original composition;
- the original song hasn't been officially released in the United States;
- the composition isn't eligible for standard cover song licensing; or
- the appropriate publisher can't be identified or contacted.
If Soundrop can't obtain the license, we'll notify you by email. If Soundrop is unable to license your track, you can request a refund of the cover song licensing fee. See What is Soundrop's refund policy?
How do I submit a licensing request?
If your cover song meets these requirements, see How to submit a cover song licensing request for guidance on providing the information Soundrop needs to identify and license the composition.