A mechanical license for cover songs gives you the right to reproduce and distribute a copyrighted song on a permanent digital download.*

*The mechanical license provided by Royalty Solutions only covers digital downloads. You will need an additional license if you choose to physically distribute your cover song.

 

How do I know if I need one?

If you have created a recording of a song that was written, recorded, and previously released by another artist, this is classified as a cover song. No matter how unique and different your version is, someone else legally owns the song and is therefore entitled to royalties. By requesting a mechanical license, you are ensuring that the original creator of the song is getting their fair share of the sales of the cover.

Easy cover song licensing

• SECURE YOUR COVER-SONG LICENSE­–FOREVER
• NOTIFY PUBLISHERS AND RIGHTS HOLDERS
• AUTOMATICALLY PAY MECHANICAL ROYALTIES TO THE SONGS’ PUBLISHERS – ALSO FOREVER
• NO YEARLY CHARGE

So, what’s our cut?

Distribution – 1: 10%
Distribution – 2: 5%

Not bad, right?

This is why we work harder than our competitors. We’re not interested in taking your money if you’re struggling. We want you to thrive—then we can all thrive together!

If distribution feels complicated, intimidating, or just plain annoying, fear not. We’ve thought of everything—so you don’t have to.

We make sure:

• YOUR SONGS GO UP AND STAY UP
• YOUR AUDIO, ARTWORK, AND METADATA ARE GOOD TO GO
• ALL RIGHTS HOLDERS, INCLUDING YOU, ARE PAID ACCURATELY AND ON TIME
• YOUR COVER-SONG LICENSES ARE PROPERLY SECURED
• YOUR COLLABORATORS ARE PAID

How does it work?

Content ID is YouTube’s automated scanning system that enables copyright owners to identify YouTube videos that include your original content. Here are the steps broken down:

1. YG SoundLab delivers your music to ➡ YouTube Content ID. Your audio files are used as a reference for scanning.
2. The Content ID system scans all the videos on YouTube and places a IIP-DDS (i.e. YG SoundLab) claim on any videos which use your sound recording(s). A sound recording is your music/audio file.
3. YouTube places a Content ID claim on the video in order for YG SoundLab to collect revenue generated from the use of your music on your behalf. This does not mean YG SoundLab owns your copyright.
4. Any revenue generated from the claimed video will be reported to YG SoundLab on a quarterly basis, which then gets paid to you!

 

Why Eligibility Matters

Adding your music to the YouTube Content ID service is powerful because it automatically generates claims against other people’s videos that match any portion of your music. Even if you exclusively own all of the content, not all content is suitable for claiming through Content ID.

Some genres are not appropriate for this service because they generate incorrect results called false claims. We automatically exclude those genres.

What Content is Eligible for YouTube Content ID?

✅ Your content must be original.

✅ Your release must be delivered to YouTube Music.

 

What is not eligible?

Below are some examples of ineligible content for Content ID (this is not an exhaustive list):

❌ Cover songs – regardless of cover license, including karaoke versions

❌ Public domain compositions, speeches, recordings, or footage

❌ Content licensed non-exclusively from a third party (such as samples or beats that are not exclusively licensed)

❌ Content released under Creative Commons or similar free/open licenses

❌ Clips from other sources used under fair use principles

❌ Video gameplay footage (by anyone other than the game’s publisher)

❌ Songs already monetized on YouTube by another distributor

❌ Content containing any audio library samples, sound effects, or production loops (such as GarageBand loops)

❌ Any content that is not exclusive to you

❌ Compilations: such as mashups, countdown lists, continuous DJ mixes, or full-album sound recordings that play within a single track

❌ Tracks longer than 10 minutes

Important: Violations of these guidelines may lead to permanent blocking of your track(s) from Content ID.

Music Stores

• iTunes / Apple Music
• Spotify
• YouTube Music
• Deezer
• Amazon
• Pandora
• Netease
• Tencent
• Anghami
• Boomplay / Ayoba
• Resso
• Tidal
• iHeartRadio
• Jaxsta
• JOOX
• Napster
• Qobuz
• Claro música
• Peloton
• AWA
• Line Music

Social Media

• Facebook / Instagram
• TikTok
• Snap x

Monetization Stores

• Facebook