Cover songs are a fantastic way to connect with new audiences, showcase your talent, and even open doors for sync licensing opportunities. But there’s a big problem. Many musicians jump into releasing covers without fully understanding the legal requirements. If you skip the right steps, you could end up with your music taken down, or worse, face legal trouble.

Let’s break down exactly how to legally license cover songs so you can confidently release them, pitch them, and even land sync placements.

Step 1: Understand the Two Main Rights Involved

When you record a cover song, there are two sets of rights you need to think about.

The first is the mechanical right. This is the right to reproduce and distribute a song that someone else wrote. You don’t own the composition, so you need to pay for the right to record and sell it. In the U.S., this is often handled through agencies like the Harry Fox Agency or companies like Easy Song Licensing.

The second is the sync right. This is where things get trickier. If you want to use your cover in a video, film, TV show, commercial, or even YouTube, you need permission from the publisher to pair the music with visuals. This isn’t automatic, even if you’ve already paid for the mechanical license. The copyright holder has the right to say yes or no to the sync request.

Step 2: Know the Difference Between Releasing and Licensing for Sync

If you just want to release your cover on Spotify, Apple Music, or other streaming platforms, you only need the mechanical license. In the U.S., this can be as simple as paying a small fee per copy or stream through a service like Easy Song Licensing, DistroKid’s cover song licensing service, or Songfile.

If you want to pitch your cover for sync licensing, it’s a different ballgame. You’ll need to contact the publisher directly to get a sync license. Many publishers are cautious about approving covers for sync because they may prefer the original version or because the song is tied to a certain image. That’s why it’s important to pitch strategically and understand that approval isn’t guaranteed.

Step 3: Let Your Library or Publisher Do the Heavy Lifting

If you work with a reputable music library or publisher, they’ll usually take care of securing the sync rights for you. This can be a huge time-saver, especially if you’re not experienced in tracking down publishers or negotiating licenses. In many cases, you’ll provide the library with your finished cover, and they’ll reach out to the rights holder to get the necessary approvals before pitching it.

It’s important to understand, though, that the library still has to get permission from the publisher. If the publisher denies the request, the cover won’t be usable for sync. But the advantage here is that you’re not the one doing all the chasing. The library or publisher already has the contacts, the relationships, and the legal know-how to navigate these conversations.

For many artists, partnering with a library that actively seeks out covers to pitch is the fastest route to getting them placed without having to become a licensing expert yourself.

Step 4: Avoid Common Pitfalls

One of the biggest mistakes artists make is assuming they can upload a cover video to YouTube and monetize it without permission. YouTube’s Content ID system will often flag these videos, and the revenue will go to the copyright holder, not you. In some cases, the video can be blocked entirely, especially if the publisher doesn’t allow covers on certain platforms.

Another pitfall is thinking that once you have a mechanical license, you’re automatically covered for everything. Mechanical rights and sync rights are completely separate. You can have permission to record and distribute the audio version of your cover but still need separate approval to use it in a visual format.

Step 5: Using Covers in Your Sync Strategy

While covers can be harder to license for sync, they aren’t impossible. In fact, stripped-down or unique reinterpretations of popular songs can sometimes stand out to music supervisors, especially for trailers or emotional scenes. Just remember that every sync deal will require publisher approval, and you’ll need to factor in the additional time this can take.

One approach that works for some artists is building relationships with independent publishers who own songs that aren’t in heavy rotation. These publishers may be more open to allowing covers for sync use, and this can give you a unique angle in the licensing world.

Step 6: Make It a Professional Process

If you plan to work with covers regularly, create a repeatable process. Know where to go for mechanical licenses. Keep a database of publisher contacts for sync requests. Document every license you obtain so you can easily prove you have the right permissions if questioned.

By making licensing a normal part of your workflow, you’ll avoid headaches and protect yourself legally while still taking advantage of the creative and commercial opportunities that come with recording covers.

Where to Pitch Covers for Sync Licensing

While not every music library accepts covers, here are a few that have been known to work with them and handle the licensing process:

• Crucial Music — https://www.crucialmusic.com/ — Known for accepting high-quality covers if they can get publisher approval.
• Songtradr — https://www.songtradr.com/ — Offers opportunities for both originals and covers in various media.
• Audiosocket — https://www.audiosocket.com/ — Occasionally pitches covers, especially if they have a unique sound.
• Musicbed — https://www.musicbed.com/ — Specializes in cinematic music and has placed covers in major ad campaigns.
• Marmoset — https://www.marmosetmusic.com/ — Often licenses vintage-sounding or creative reinterpretations of well-known songs.
   

These aren’t guaranteed outlets for every cover you create, but they’re great starting points if you want to explore sync opportunities without managing the licensing yourself.