Cover Songs
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Why Am I Required to Purchase My Cover Song License Through DistroKid?
A purchase of a cover song license in DistroKid is required because there is a law in the United States that dictates how earnings from cover songs need to be shared with the original songwriter. If you're interested in the details, click here. DistroKid makes uploading cover songs easy. Each time you upload a song to DistroKid, you'll see an option to specify whether you wrote the song (an "original"), or if someone else wrote it (a "cover song"). To upload a cover song, choose "Another artist wrote it (it's a cover song)" on the upload form under "Songwriter / Cover Song." DistroKid will...
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What is an Interpolation? Can I Use a Cover License to Upload One to DistroKid?
Interpolations are musical works which have re-recorded a musical element (usually a melody or portion of a melody) from a previously recorded song into a new composition. This differs from sampling, as an interpolation does not use any audio from the original recording.DistroKid's cover licensing solution does not apply to interpolations. For more information on our cover licensing solution, please check out this article: https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013648953. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "What is an Interpolation? C...
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Do I Have to Purchase a Cover License Through DistroKid If I Already Have a License From Another Agency?
Yes, you must purchase a cover license through DistroKid each time you upload a cover song, even if you've purchased one through another licensing agency.This is because DistroKid has no way of confirming that the original songwriter is getting paid their legally-required share unless we're the ones paying them.Not opting cover songs into DistroKid's cover song licensing program can lead to streaming services taking down your content, or worse – songwriters taking legal action. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Do I Have to Purchase a Cover License T...
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If I Upload a Cover Song as a Single, Can I Also Put That Cover Song On an Album?
You can absolutely upload a cover song as a single and then include that cover song on an album upload. However, please note that you'll need to purchase the cover song license again for the cover song that is being included in the album.You must purchase a DistroKid cover license each and every time you upload a cover song to DistroKid.If you upload the same cover song twice, you need to select the "Cover Song" option for both uploads, essentially buying two licenses. That's how our system knows to deduct the songwriter's share from your earnings in each instance of the cover song you uplo...
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Uploading Music That Contains Sampling From Other Songs
DistroKid can help you distribute cover songs, but we cannot help approve the use of samples from other songs in your music.Stores do not allow you to use another artist's stem or sample without their permission. However, it's okay to use royalty-free samples from sample library services such as Splice, Sounds, and LoopCloud. It is also fine to use royalty-free samples that are included as default sample libraries in your DAW.If you use royalty-free samples, your music will be ineligible for the YouTube Content ID album extra. Sampling vs. Cover SongsSampling is when you use an actual recor...
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Can I Download My Cover License(s)?
Yes! Just log in to your account and click on your Profile Icon in the top right. From there, click "Cover song licenses" to view your existing licenses. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": ["Article", "HowTo"], "headline": "Can I Download My Cover License(s)?", "description": "Learn how to access and download your cover song licenses by navigating through your DistroKid account settings.", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023388954" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "...
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