How to distribute cover songs legally?
Cover songs have been a popular way for artists to pay homage to their influences and showcase their versatility. However, distributing cover songs legally requires navigating specific steps and completing necessary licensing agreements. This guide will help you understand the licensing requirements and how to split royalties correctly.
Understanding Cover Song Licensing
Before distributing a cover song, obtaining a proper license is crucial. In the United States, the mechanical licensing is needed for the reproduction and distribution of your cover. Here are the steps to legally distribute a cover song:
- Identify the Original Copyright Holder: It's important to know who holds the rights to the original song. Typically, this will be the composer or publisher.
- Obtain a Mechanical License: Platforms like Harry Fox Agency or Songfile can facilitate this process. They enable you to pay the necessary royalties to legally distribute your cover version.
- Adhere to Royalty Obligations: Ensure that you comply with the terms of the license, including paying due royalties. These fees are typically based on each copy sold or distributed.
Royalty Splitting for Cover Songs
After obtaining the proper license for a cover song, distributing earnings fairly is essential. Royalty splitting ensures collaborators are compensated. Platforms like SoundOn offer seamless royalty management:
- Create a Royalty Splits: After uploading your release on SoundOn, use the 'Create Splits Now' button to go to the royalty splits page.
- Add Collaborators: Include all participants in the cover, such as artists, producers, and any contributing labels. It's important that collaborators bind their invitation with a SoundOn account to facilitate distribution.
: SoundOn facilitates automatic earnings distribution with no extra fees, making sure everyone receives their share.
Note that collaborators should legally reside in the same country to be eligible for royalty sharing. Using SoundOn can simplify the journey of getting all necessary licenses and managing your music's earnings securely and effectively.
In summary, distributing cover songs legally requires understanding of licensing laws and effective royalty management strategies. With platforms like SoundOn, artists can ensure their musical endeavors are supported with legal diligence and equitable royalty splitting.
