How To Legally Post Covers on Spotify and Youtube

[@CharlesCleyn]

Any questions about posting covers on Spotify and KZbin? Let me know in a comment ↓

[@lennyb6539]

Hey thanks for your video, I got some idea about releasing covers now. I was curious because I always hear covers come out but media doesn't mention the original artist. For example "beggin'" on spotify, KZbin, everywhere, comes up as "by Maneskin" who are not the original artists/bands..... so I'm curious, do these newer bands/artists contact the original artist for a specific copyright before posting them up? Or are they just getting a normal cover license from the sites you mentioned?? Cause how are they posting covers and not even mentioning that it's a cover. It's like everyone thinking they are the original artists....

[@q-angel3730]

Thanks for info. If you can upload covers to KZbin with no problem, then how do people get banned or their channel deleted because of copyright issues?

[@jaydnsansom]

Hey do you know if when uploading a cover to KZbin the same logic applies when using a backing track not just an instrument accompaniment?

[@rubbishpurplelollies]

Uploading covers to KZbin... I've heard of a sync license being used if you have an accompanying video.

[@DukeSingsSwingJazzLatinBlues]

I'm a bit confused. Easy Song Licensing said I would need synchronization license to upload the videos or songs on my own. Cheers, Charles Duke Bannister

[@jamiemyers4696]

Thank you for not screaming into your microphone its been a hard day today and the whisp in your voice really soothed my mind

[@kayots]

There's so many lawyers on youtube and forums saying you should contact the rights holders, and if you can't then just hope for the best lol. This is such a great video thank you. There's never anyone talking about this process of getting the license.

[@astergh0st]

ohhhhh thank you for clearing this up... i wanted to post a vocal cover of a song i really liked but i was worried cuz everyone made it sound like getting copyright CLAIMED was as bad as getting a strike and no one told me it was okay hahahh!!

[@AttractionSpot]

Actually when you get the claim you saying that you can't monetize your video is not true. If you make a cover you'll get a content ID claim and it still has the option saying you can still monetize your video. When you do this what happens is the revenue gets split between the label and you. Because even though they own the rights to the song they don't own you your specific visuals and audio you used..

[@CharlesCleyn]

Great point!

[@wthell2575]

If I play, for example Disney beauty and the beast, a piano instumental version with my own arrangement, is it acceptable in KZbin? I heard many people gotta take down their video even though they play their own arrangement. Thanks.

[@JUNOtheArtist]

This was really helpful! Best explanation I’ve heard so far. Thank you so much for sharing this.! New sub!!!🎉❤

[@SihalDilhara]

yesss your videos are really helpful... good luck with your future works

[@Spence.]

this is actually what i'm hearing: You don't need a license if you are releasing a cover strictly on streaming platforms. Services like Spotify and Apple Music license songs and pay royalties to publishers as part of The MLC (The Mechanical Licensing Collective) that was launched in 2019.

[@Spence.]

thoughts?

[@CryptoCryp103rd]

What about remixes?

[@Spence.]

@@CryptoCryp103rd you cant release any unapproved remixes if there are samples from the original song. If you re-record everything including the vocals then you’re okay to drop it as a remix but it’s really more like a cover

[@CryptoCryp103rd]

@@Spence. I just used instrumental and I reached out to the original label for permission because I dont want to make money from any remixes. I use only my lyrics

[@nobody43815]

The thing is, I don't wanna do it for money. I just wanna sing it.

[@CharlesCleyn]

You can do it man

[@saurabhdhami3065]

Hey bro.Thanks for this. I have few questions. Maybe it would help someone as well. 1. Should a cover song have the exact music as that of original or can we mend it ? 2. If we change the lyrics will the song still qualify as a perfect cover song ?

[@glw5166]

If you change the lyrics I don't believe that it is a true cover song. You would need permission from the publisher to change lyrics.

[@Kelvin-ed6ce]

but if you play with your instruments and it sounds just like the original music, they might think it's sampling too!! @@glw5166

[@VibeVocalStudio]

SO helpful thank you! I've been totally lost on how to get permission for covers. Good to know I can't sample the original either, gotta get better at making my own instrumentations I guess.

[@lorenallamas3581]

Is it $12 yr for 1 cover song or for all the cover song you upload on distrokid?

[@thomandy]

DistroKid with 12$ pr year for a cover is a bit of a rip off.. ?? If it was a one time fee I feel like it would be more fair?!

[@HighlyMarinated]

use cd baby!!! or tunecore!

[@reddrop1]

$12 is good if it is for a year bro

[@thomandy]

@@reddrop1 Soundr is 1$, one time. I think, as a smaller Cover artist 12$ pr. song pr. year is too much.

[@WeegeMusic]

Has this changed since the most recent MMA(Music Modernization Act)? Are DSPs required by law to handle mechanical licensing (cover song licensing) for me? No. DSPs have a few options: Elect to operate under the blanket license offered by The MLC, License via custom deals with the copyright owners (direct licensing), or For digital downloads only: Operate via pass-through licensing, where the individuals distributing the music (record labels and individual artists like you) are responsible for securing the necessary mechanical licenses. This is what they have told us they are doing. Handle compulsory mechanical licensing themselves under the traditional system of sending NOIs and SOAs directly to the copyright owners. Do I need a cover song license? YES, if any of the following are true: You are distributing a physical product (CDs, Vinyl). You are distributing digital downloads to the major music services: Amazon, Apple, Bandcamp, or Soundcloud. You are distributing downloads, streams, or ringtones on your own website. You are distributing to any DSP offering fewer than 5,000 unique sound recordings. You are distributing to any DSP that does NOT operate under the blanket license offered by The MLC. You are distributing any product that is not eligible for compulsory licensing. Just wondering. I'm about to release a lot of cover renditions and i am getting so many mixed details

[@MartinandMiriam]

Thank you for the info on Spotify and licensing websites! But you got it wrong. KZbin shares income between the songwriters and cover artists. But only if you are not using the original instrumental version! You have to either create the instrumental part or use a 3rd party created track!

[@samuelvilz]

Quite illuminating, my dude. Thank you a lot!

[@seulkicello2827]

I love your videos and it helped immensely to start my covers :) Thank you !

[@CharlesCleyn]

That's super great to hear, thanks Seulki!

[@hillcitymusic]

You are a legend. Thank you!

[@MichaelsPaintingChannel]

Michael you did so great in this video. Thank you. I think the normal uploaded video with copyright claim will be not shown to many, isn't it so?

[@TwilightSagaBella1]

Is one song $1 or can we make as many covers we want with $1?

[@AnnalieseRose-pf9ik]

LIFE SAVER!

[@MomAsol]

Thank you so much for tips, this happened to me I covered lots of songs but in return I got copyrights claim, so I just decide to stop making song covers, I loved to sing is my stress reliever.

[@DREQON2005]

It just makes me so happy to sing covers is my favorite I just now started dabbling in writing my own it’s my favorite hobby and stress relief

[@billconnors_]

Bro your the best 🙏🏼💯

[@giselle_gibson]

So I want to record a Christmas album on spotify and probably apple music but for spotify I don't want the money and just exposure. Do I still have to get a license for recording the covers?

[@Nyedav]

Very useful video thank you!!! :D

[@RichardsonHans]

What if I am the one who composed and produced the song from instrumentation up to the lyrics. This means I composed everything. Then I decided to make a piano version of it with me singing with only one instrument (piano). I can upload the same song on spotify via same distributor?

[@rijulsachdeva3513]

Can you just try to make a waiting page before coming live if you get the time. That'd help a lot

[@CharlesCleyn]

Thanks Rijul, that's a great idea. I will do that!

[@YouUsAndAI]

Hi, thank you so much, and do you ever have a calming voice. I was wondering, I wanted to do a lip sync video and post on youtube of an entire song...and hope to make money. Do I need a license for that? Thank you!

[@PenelopeRobinOfficial]

Hi! Thanks for the video! So I was trying to get a license on Harry Fox but they send me over to Songfile and they do not provide the license outside the United States...have you dealt with this before? Should I just release in the US and forget about the rest? :(

[@KapitanAliRidho]

You’re the best bro

[@c-vibe]

Is it a Cover is you use the original instrumental beat but your noice on top of it instead of the original artist ?

[@salmaabdou5035]

Hello, thanks for the video I’m wondering if i could use youtube karaoke to record my covers. If not can i buy the instrumental online ? What website fo u recommend?

[@takundag_]

What if i use a karaoke beat of thesame song? Coz i cant do acoustic or other instruments

[@ShikharKumar-fz6ti]

How about posting your own creativity and changed music ??? Like a little bit of remix or some different version of piano cover that is based on a copyright song but includes your creativity too ???

[@michaeljobity]

Great video! Thanks for being so clear!

[@jmtims1]

Great video!! Thank you

[@wolvesamongstroyaltyband]

I have a few cover songs i done but it's more of a reimagine cover with a different style or genre of it. How do i go about put it on Spotify and KZbin without getting in trouble bc i already have a distributor set up

[@learnhowtoplaypianofreepia6423]

What if you want to just cover piano songs? No lyrics, just a piano song? Does that get copyrighted? Thank you!

[@CharlesCleyn]

If it’s a song that’s released and you’re copying the exact melody. Then yes.

[@lpgg317]

how about a podcast where during prayer at the end I want to use an instrumental of a worship song? we can't afford a ccli right now but would love to use instrumentals of a song related to the topic of discussion? Not looking to make any money off the podcast at all if that helps with the answer.

[@semilumi]

Good practical info, thank you. What about covers with translated lyrics? Should one just upload them as covers or how does that work?

[@TwilightSagaBella1]

What about jazz classics ... do we still need licenses?

[@rileysings13]

Hi, thanks for the video. I was wondering if you knew what to do if you want to use a karaoke track from KZbin to sing along to in your own video.

[@louiegroenewald]

Will it be ok to use an instrumental/backing track/karaoke track that you can find on KZbin, that is very close to original song to do a cover by just adding vocals to upload to Spotify or anywhere else through Dsitrokid?

[@machmars]

Hi Charles, i recently received a copyright strike 5 days after I posted a cover of a song. I used midifile, which I bought and downloaded from a legit site. I removed the voice and added my own sound. I understand that the midifile to this song is as close as it can get to the original. I can't understand why my video got a strike while other users have covers of the same song and content, for several years. Why are their videos still on? I posted other videos using midifiles, i see the copyright claim , but the copyright owners allow the usage of content. I'm trying to better understand what went wrong with that one. I hope you have a simple explanation for me. Thank you Marcello

[@SpiltMilkshakes]

Do you have any insights on if you're publishing a compilation album with several artists where some are submitting originals and some are submitting covers?

[@mehditayshun5595]

You won't make money from the adsense, but you can still make money from it with your own monetization. You can post an affiliate link somewhere

[@રાગા-RaaGaa]

My cover songs on youtube have "copyright" written on the 3rd line of the video but i get no email of copyright claim or strike. What does it mean?

[@MicaylaDeEtte]

If you don’t go through distro kid or another distribution company and obtain a license yourself who distributes the money and figures out the percentages, etc.?

[@Ivan.Nikolic]

Thank you so much! This really helped me! Sub'd and liked

[@totoro-in-a-tardis]

That was very helpful, thank you!

[@realitymirror2024]

bro i just made a song and put it on Spotify thru distrokid, you say that i need a license as well? from harry fox agency? as it is , is not authentic or? im noob. mega noob

[@lendavidhart9710]

Great video, thank you for posting and sharing, much appreciated.

[@Karaokee288]

I put a cover on utube i have a copyright sticker on my video im new to this so what does that mean? Anyone

[@DEADIKATED]

What if I rap on Copyrighted Beats but it not a cover?

[@JacobLouis]

Thanks for the quality tips.

[@edisondominguez652]

I’d like to know how to use instrumentals that are licensed with my own lyrics and melodies

[@JustRouie]

Hi, for cover songs its 12$ per year per song right?

[@AClownShoe]

What if your "cover" involves you performing over a karaoke track you got from youtube?

[@notavailable8955]

but what if don't want to monetize it, can i still put it without a Licence, and all of the money just goes to the original artist?

[@_Hanichu]

Is there any way to do this with one time purchase?

[@hironoeddy2331]

This was very informative, thanks!

[@everythinginlifeisrecorded5309]

How does it work if you or anyone else posts a cover and I want to use that for background music for a video I create?

[@Entrepreneurprints]

This video was very helpful thank you bro. I was looking for a video like this like 2months a go Smashing the like button and subscribing bro Big ups to you Great video

[@Kotkamusic]

Can a license of a cover (buyed through distrokid) be rejected?

[@sukhadly4184]

Thank you so much, this is so helpful.

[@alexkm-fun]

If I want to make and post a cover on Spotify through ie distrokid: can I cover any song from any artist? Why did Madonna try to persuade ABBA for years to get permission to cover their song?

[@LionOfKingston]

I added four bars of my own lyrics to a song by Christ Knight. Is it still considered a cover or a remake? derivative.?

[@Dingl3b3rryyyy]

Hey did you get a answer to this yet? I kind of have the same situation and I’m looking to release on Spotify

[@LionOfKingston]

@@Dingl3b3rryyyy still haven't. Probably would be a cover since distrokid as nothing about remix

[@LookinForaSongToSing]

Hello! I am looking to create a video and use the ghostbusters instrumental theme song music, while changing a few of the lyrics…is this legal? We will not be trying to make money off of it…please let me know. Thank you!!

[@mem5567]

Question i want to make a karaoke channel in you tube. In spanish and english what license do i need? Anybody i will be doing a lot of songs

[@johncolbert416]

So question, if i use Band in a Box to remake a cover? Mix it, and do all the vocals myself, ill pay $12.00 per song to get them uploaded just to youtube, and then how much to get it uploaded to streaming like Spotify etc... ?

[@johncolbert416]

So distrokid I guess.

[@johncolbert416]

That's about $23 a year for a basic musician account. They do have two other plans that cost more. Ok, Thanks for the info, I have the websites bookmarked, I appreciate it, I'll be looking into all this during my surgery recovery. I'll have plenty of time to read all about it.

[@mikerocketmusic]

Thanks so much for this!

[@fidenciobacosa1014]

Is license youre talking about is same as copyright?

[@dualzz]

i wanna make an cover of Wham ¨evrythings she wants¨ but change up the lyrics to mine but use the melody, with their own instrumental or remake of it, what do i need to do? Im still young and i love this oldie, but want to give it my own spin, and put it out on all big streaming giants, with an music video even, I just need someone professional to tell me if anything would happen?

[@asumadre258]

So, it’s 12 dólar yearly per son or it’s 12 yearly for using their service?

[@romannnn17]

Doesn't Spotify obtain licensing and pay out royalties themselves? I don't think you need a license if you're only distributing to Spotify.

[@clarisselarue151]

That’s what I thought? Or has that changed

[@romannnn17]

@@clarisselarue151 Well it seems like it's still the case? I was able to get a cover up on Spotify after specifying to my distributor that I would ONLY be uploading to Spotify.

[@samekstrom7681]

@@romannnn17 which distributor if you don't mind me asking?

[@Ghost-Horse.]

Ah so didn't need to delete all them videos lol. Suprised Burzum had copyright claim, it's black metal. Subbed. Thanks , great info 🤘

[@by.ditola8408]

Thanks for the great video! I have a question, if you upload a cover song, do you have to make your own instrumental/backing track for it or is it ok to use the original artist's instrumental? thanks!

[@mosty85]

He answered this towards the end of the video. That would be considered a remix which is not a cover. If you were to use any samples from the original it would not be a cover. So in short, yes you need to make the song entirely from scratch.

[@prismatic17]

Why are covers okay but not remixes? I’m confused

[@TheDesperateHomemaker]

I go to a clubs and record cover bands and tribute bands. Do I have to have a license to post it on KZbin say if it is a Stevie Nicks song?

[@nataliaurreag]

Can a cover be on Instagram or Facebook? or does it depend on the distributor?

[@chriswizard4930]

i do some muic cover songs that i like to upload i dont wont eny payment and i dont care about that. so its okay to do that and not get eny klip as i understand is that right.?

[@mvgnuwmusic]

Thanks a lot G, bless 🙏

[@ValeCardonaH]

How does it work for Instagram?

[@TwoKrispy]

Damn, so what do I do if I recreated the lyrics and sung it differently etc?

[@aniketmahajan8422]

Yaa that' the question for me too

[@રાગા-RaaGaa]

Does this middle man cover licensing for all kinds of songs? I sing songs from Bollywood genre in India. Do these western agencies get licenses for non-west parts of the world? How do i check whether they cover that?

[@Tstormer]

How much does it cost for a licence

[@ronjie]

Hey. If I “cover” a song but make it my own - same lyrics, tweaked melody, chords are down a pitch, recorded and performed by myself - I suppose that still falls under the cover song umbrella? One cover I made is even a different music genre altogether. Another “cover” I made uses different lyrics, sometimes a translation - is that still a cover? I ask because… I’ve so far uploaded some to YT and I didn’t get any copyright strike… But I wanna upload them to Spotify as well…

[@ianditwin7443]

That's a reimagined version. But it's still considered a cover.

[@SolarReturn1966]

If I purchased a karaoke track, from a karaoke company that also sells a license to use this track, and then I recorded my voice over this track and then utilized distrokid, would my cover be legal to distribute and make royalties off of it?

[@AnaCunha_music]

What is the karaoke company? also need backtracks

[@katana2seppuku]

Can you post a cover if you use an instrumental for the beat or is that considered a remix

[@CharlesCleyn]

If you’re using the instrumental to make a new song then it’s a remix

[@katana2seppuku]

@@CharlesCleyn what about using the instrumental and their lyrics. Is that a cover?

[@sharkpoolbolt662]

Is this the same for Instagram

[@shebawilliams]

NOTE THIS ONLY WORKS FOR US RELEASES

[@jacquelinepaul9731]

What about if you're not only doing a cover,but you're nicking a new arrangement of it..roughly how many copies would you have to sell to make this financially viable.

[@MarkMcC49]

I'm glad I found your channel and this video in particular. I'm doing a cover of a Brazilian song. I am the producer of the cover AND I provide the English lyrics. I am not performing on the cover in any way. So, I intend to upload it to KZbin and to get it on Spotify. Should I follow the process you describe and should I anticipate problems if I go that route? Again, I'm the producer and the lyricist for this cover, not the recording artist. Thanks.

[@music_rune_]

Hi Charles! Thank you so much for this video. I have a question: I've translated an english song into my language (Italian). I sing it, the melody is the same just the lyrics change. Does it count as a cover? Since the instrumental has original harmonisations in it, would it count as a sample since I'm not the one performing those harmonisations? Thank you in advance!

[@CeresKLee]

The music is licensed as well as the lyrics, @Rune. If you change the lyric into a parody, that seems to be Fair Use but modern corporate laws this days are so hard on FU (pun indeed) and freedom.

[@music_rune_]

@@CeresKLee ahaha I understand! Thank you very much for your reply💕🙏 If i happened to upload it on KZbin (even without monetisation) I think it could work as you said as fair use. On the other hand, Spotify seems to be impossible unless I get approval from labels and distributors🥲

[@CeresKLee]

@@music_rune_ This is I know about Spotify: diddlysquat. I think Kurt Vonnegut would never a crap just stole his joke and change it to Spotify. And if his estate does, I have a better direct quote from him, from "Slaughterhouse Five" invoke mating with rolling donuts and the Moon.

[@machadofervargas]

I play piano arrangements from hymns (the arrangements are made by other people). I would love to do a selection and put it on Spotify, do you know how it works? Is it the same way? Thank you!

[@CharlesCleyn]

Hi Fernanda, I believe it would act as the same but you can ask your distributor as well.

[@katischannel8035]

Hi I don´t have a creditcard only paypal, is it possible to pay with paypal?

[@Piano4Jesus]

How does someone go about performing Live instrumental on social media platforms playing cover songs. Their not distributing or making profit but just playing music? TikTok has a lot musicians

[@CharlesCleyn]

You can just go for it :)

[@dmrd222]

Can I just *share* (i.e., post) my cover of a song in the Comments section of a KZbin tutorial on that song?

[@kaylaerica16]

Hi Charles! i just have a question before proceeding with this. I really want to upload a cover of a song that I did but I used an instrumental of the song from youtube that is labelled (official instrumental). There are no vocals of the singer, just mine. I don't really care for royalites and just want to be able to upload the song. Am i okay to do this? I worried about copyright since I potentially could be sampling..

[@femmefatale26]

Did you upload it?? What happened?

[@CeresKLee]

Rick Beato says there are "Blockers" - artist who refuse to allow KZbin to just de-monetize a cover and block or maybe even give you a copyright strike. Even just a piece played on your own guitar or piano. No even a full verse And this is a teacher for gawd's sakes and show be covered under Fair Use . I never want to expect a copyright strike - how to avoid this?

[@Markothunder]

The blockers are… 1. Eagles 2. Jimi Hendrix’s estate 3. Prince’s estate 4. Guns N’ Roses 5. AC/DC 6. The Beatles (and their label EMI Records, if we play the original versions of their songs) 7. Bruce Springsteen (or his label UMG) 8. Bryan Adams (or his label UMG) 9. King Crimson and Robert Fripp 10. Grateful Dead

[@CeresKLee]

@@Markothunder Thank you! But...The Grateful Dead? Sheesh, after all the years of supporting a community of tapers, including have a special section so tapers could plug this DAT to the soundsound and record a concert and share, then now I will block for playing my own acoustic version of "Dark Star". I doubt Jerry Garcia would stand for this. What a world.

[@Markothunder]

@@CeresKLee By the way, about Bryan Adams, I don't see him, doing a video where he told us not to do covers of his songs, like Don Henley, telling us not to do covers of his (Don Henley's) music (whether as a solo artist or with his band Eagles).

[@CeresKLee]

@@Markothunder Thx, for the update. On Mr. Adams and Mr. Henley..."and the horse they rode in on"

[@Markothunder]

@@CeresKLee Henley is much worst than Bryan Adams and Neal Schon from Journey