[FAQ]

Hey everyone,

I’ve just finished recording a cover of one of my favourite songs, and I’m really keen to get it up on Spotify. I want to make sure I do this 100% by the book so I don’t get into any legal trouble or have the track taken down.

I’ve been reading online and it’s a bit confusing. I see terms like “mechanical license” and “compulsory license.” Do I need to get this license before I upload the song to my distributor? Or is this something that Spotify or my distributor (I use DistroKid) handles for me automatically?

I’m in the US, and I just want to release it for streaming, not for downloads or physical CDs. What is the exact step-by-step process to do this legally?

Thanks for the help!

[Jeff Bullas]

This is a critical legal step, so it’s good you’re asking first.

Quick Answer: For a streaming-only audio release, you must secure a mechanical license for the composition. The easiest and best practice is to have your distributor acquire this for you when you upload your audio file.

Let’s clarify the text-based data and legal requirements for this type of audio release.

When you release a cover, you own your new audio recording, but the original songwriter still owns the underlying text and melody, which is the composition. To legally use that composition, you must obtain a mechanical license. While it is true that Spotify pays these royalties to publishers, your distributor is responsible for first ensuring your audio file is legally compliant. The most reliable method is to use your distributor’s own licensing service; when you upload your audio, you must declare it as a cover, provide the original song’s text-based data, and pay a small fee. Your distributor will then secure the necessary rights, ensuring the original songwriters are paid and your audio track remains on the platform.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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