(323) 776-6475 . For digital downloads and interactive audio streams, you pre-pay for a certain number of downloads or streams up-front before you distribute. We capture every referral, you get paid every time. No. Save 21% On Cover Song Service Fees! Any changes to the lyrics or significant changes to the melody are not permissible under a compulsory license as it constitutes a derivative work. 6. Once you have purchased, subsequent licensing purchases for the same album or single will automatically be filed with IDBLM and displayed from your seal. Our team will deliver to you the import spreadsheet you need. Search by date, title, composer, song ID and more. Finally, we need to know the title, composer or original recording artist, and length of your recording of each song in minutes and seconds. Depending on your use, the cost will typically range from $200 to thousands. Unlike the referral program, you have the opportunity to earn from repeat customers, each time the cookie link is clicked. Can I change the melody of the song with this license? If you release your album on compact discs and digital downloads, you will need to purchase only one seal. Under Compulsory Law, no paperwork is received from the copyright holders. If necessary, you can come back to us and get a new license for additional units. In 2007 we began offering our music licensing services to the public through Easy Song Licensing. If you ask a publisher directly, they can demand any fee or reject your request outright. The seal is like a license plate for your music. If you are wondering how much are the typical music licensing fees and cost for different projects; I already did some research for you. For example, let's say I sit down and I write a piece of music and entitle it "Electric Snik". started May 2005. We help you submit your request to the copyright holder. Cover Song Licensing. This makes it easy for you to license only what you need upfront and avoid paying too much in fees for reorders. It is very important that you do the proper research to know - not guess - the Public Domain status of the song. We can license almost any song. The Compulsory Mechanical License allows you to record your new version of an existing song that someone else wrote. To release a cover song, you need permission from the copyright owner of the composition. If you need to reorder, we make it easy, and our fee is half price the second time around. Custom Licensing can be challenging because, by law, the copyright holders maintain total control of their works. Note that medleys can be considered derivative works, which require special permission from the copyright holder. Or, follow the link below. Getting paid is simple. For help making a derivative request, check out our Custom Licensing services. You wouldn't drive your car without a license plate. Click the link below for more information on pricing, or to estimate how much your licensing will cost. How do I submit proof of licensing from another licensing provider for inclusion in IDBLM? Music creators can get paid whenever their music is used, but how does this actually work? After you buy the seal on a project, our fee is automatically reduced to zero for every song on every new release you add to that project. … If your license request is accepted, yes, you will receive custom paperwork from the copyright holder. You've taken extra steps to be legal. - you release your recording of the song for any purpose other than personal private listening by the end user, or Examples of derivative works include: Even in cases where the copyright holder is highly protective of their work, this law allows small-timers to cover some very popular songs. However, you can still obtain a streaming license through our Custom Licensing service. Can I get a refund? Does my album track order matter for licensing purposes? We capture every referral, you get paid every time. Legally release your version of any song in 1-2 business days. • After payment is received Easy Song Licensing will follow the Compulsory Law to obtain your mechanical licensing. With Custom Licensing, you can request a license for distribution outside of the United States. Founder; Aaron Green. Additional Custom Licensing fees will apply if the total quantity licensed exceeds 10,000 streams, or 2,500 units for all other formats, or if the release format requires custom licensing. One of the limitations of the Compulsory Law is that changes to the lyrics or fundamental melody of the song are not allowed. We want you to make lots of money. No. 2) Enter your email address and password. I record it onto a tape using an electronic keyboard: Let's say that I also come up with lyrics for a song called "She's So Incredible" that I sing to the melody of "Electric Snik". The song was written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg. We have to send separate paperwork for each different format you release. This involves getting a synchronization license and a master license — obtained from the music publisher and record label respectively — so you can pair the song with your video or drop it into your podcast. This means they can set any fee, take all the time they need, and reject the license outright. 2600 N. 2nd St. Essentially, a music license is permission to use a specific piece of music. 6) A confirmation will appear indicating the success of your add, edit, or delete. If in fact you are using the original master sound recording there will be 2 sides of permission: A) publishing side representing the song's composition (songwriter administration/publisher/intellectual rights to the lyrics/melody involved), and B) the master rights side representing the original master sound recording (record label side regarding the original audio you are using/sampling). Be careful on these sites! We also send you monthly paychecks automatically, meaning you never have to request payment. A cover song is a new recording of a previously released song that someone else wrote. If we are unable to find your song, we might ask your for publisher information or lyrics. First, we ask you some questions about your project and about the songs you want to license. Internationally renowned Sony Music recording artist Celine Dion is appearing in five new commercial spots for Chrysler. Cover song sale! How do the fee-free reorders for life work? Let us do free copyright research for you. (We dive into the individual types of licenses in the next chapter.) In some cases, minor changes will be allowed depending on the timing. 5 songs, you earn $11.24. When your project demands more than basic cover song licensing, Easy Song Licensing’s Custom Licensing services are the answer. Usually, all we need to license your song is the song title and name of a well-known artist that recorded the song. However, custom licensing is not guaranteed. The copyright code of the United States (title 17 of the U.S. Code) provides for copyright protection in sound recordings. Help center. No. Yes. If you distribute to smaller DSPs, or through your own website, you'll need to get a license directly from the copyright owner. You can get these from your manufacturer or online distributor. If any of the above scenarios apply to you, please check out our custom licensing services. If you choose to license with another provider, you can still get the Seal of Authenticity from us. 5) If adding or editing, provide the new information and click "Save". Sometimes we can change the format of your license depending on the timing of the request. You can always come back and get a new license for additional units. How is it possible for you to help me license any song? Choose Custom Assistance where you submit the request with our help ($129), or let us handle everything for you with Custom Handling ($179). The easier it is for you to get your referral money, the more you'll want to send your friends our way. No. Yes indeed! share this via. When you sample master audio, you are obliged to share all pricing/quotes you've received and share them with all rights holders involved. This includes single words like changing "he" to "she", and other small changes. What types of uses do the licenses you clear for me allow? If that's not possible, we will not be able to obtain the license and we will process a refund in accordance with our refund policy. This includes single words like changing "he" to "she" and other small changes. They get the best customer service in the industry. 6) Click "Save track order" to save your changes. Using a 3rd party cover version will be at least 90% cheaper on the master side, and if you are interested in that route, then you would only be subject to dealing with the publishing/songwriter side, which relieves some of the pressure and costs. Our service includes a free copyright search to learn the current publisher or copyright owner, before or after you buy. Visual Affirmation of Licensing. Custom licensing can be challenging because, by law, the copyright holders maintain total control of their works. However, it's a good idea to include credits if you can, as a courtesy to the copyright holder. The copyright owner can set any price, take all the time they want, and reject the permission altogether. [Music Licensing 101: 8 royalties you can collect from your songs] For the third post in this series, we’re taking a look at cover songs. Contact us to submit your proof of licensing and payment to us. If you're signed up at Easy Song Licensing, you're ready to collect referral money. How do I collect referral income I have earned? Sound recordings are defined in the law as "works that result from the fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds, but not including the sounds accompanying a motion picture or other audiovisual work." Easy Song Licensing easysonglicensing.com Clear any cover song in 1-2 days. Learn how it works > Licensing Questions. For all custom licenses obtained through our Custom Licensing services, please follow the instructions for credits on the license documents you receive. If you ask a publisher directly, they can demand any fee or reject your request outright. Now show that off with pride. There is no minimum, and no action required by you to receive your referral check. For Custom Licensing, yes, it is possible that your track order could matter. It's up to you to monitor your sales and make sure you do not exceed what you have licensed. A valid license with legal effect? Please tell us. You link to us on your web site, blog, or newsletter. In addition to the tracking cookie, we ask every caller how they heard about us. You can view your referrals and our payments to you through your EasySongLicensing.com account. The only requirement for partnership is that you maintain an active link to us. A link to our public songs database can be found at the bottom of the Help Center. Best of all, it's totally free. What types of coupons and discounts do you offer? Why should I sign up for Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? Easy Song Licensing is working to learn which DSPs will be blanket-licensees and we will publish that information once it is available. Commercials and Film. When clicked, a cookie is saved on the client's device. Like us on Facebook to receive exclusive coupons in your news feed, then share them with your friends. I just purchased a streaming license, and now I don't need it due to changes from the Music Modernization Act. Search. Whenever you use a copyrighted verse within your original composition, or if you have written your own lyrics and want to use an underlying copyrighted melody, you will need special permission from the songwriter administration (publisher) in order to legally disribute. No. Many factors affect the response, including budget, use, and even the current workload of the copyright holder’s processing department. No. Do we have to get a license for each separate song part of the medley? It's up to you to monitor your sales and make sure you do not exceed what you have licensed. We need to know what formats you will release (CDs, Digital Downloads, Interactive Audio Streams) and how many copies of each format. From time to time, we offer coupons through email or through our Facebook page. 4) If deleting, click "OK" to confirm your decision to delete the card. 30. You can buy right away for the fastest delivery, or wait for us to research the copyright holders of the songs. If you are not sure, please contact us. There are some limitations, however. Five songs earns you $11.24. Fair Use is an exception in the copyright law that allows small portions of a work to be used without permission for nonprofit, news, educational, or parody purposes. Who can sign up for Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? First, sign in at EasySongLicensing.com. They are not required by law. What if I sell out and need to distribute more copies of my album? A "derivative work" is any song that takes a preexisting work and uses that material to create a new composition. Like the referral program, we ask every caller how they heard about us and every referral counts (even callers who never click the cookie link). To get permission to release outside of the United States, check with your local rights agency or check out our custom licensing services, where we help you negotiate a license directly with the copyright holder in any country. Interpolation is when you use any portion of lyrics or melody from a copyrighted song that you did not write within an existing composition, original composition, or public domain song. Summer in Minnesota: if you simply compared the numbers of people you see to winter, you'd think the population grew 100 fold. No. However, the copyright holder can set any price, or reject the license outright. How do I know if I need to get a license for my interactive audio streaming? A link to our public list of publishers can be found at the bottom of the Help Center. The license for a piece of music is basically a contract that states how you can use it, for how long, and in what mediums. You do not need permission to use songs that you wrote yourself or songs that you know are in the Public Domain. This will help make this more way more affordable (master rights will easily double your cost per song). In this case, we will refund all royalties and fees paid for that song. 1. Samples from other artists’ work or copyrighted speeches are not. If approved, this can involve an upfront fee (advance on royalties owed) and a new work publishing split (% of the new work publishing ownership. However, the licenses you obtain from us are valid for releases within the United States only. Include the song title, composers, and publishers. Publisher information is at the bottom center of the first page with music notes. Can I split the license, and get just one license for two different formats? It provides a public record of licensed works and displays the proof of licensing obtained for each release. There is a lot of confusion over what is and is not in the Public Domain (free to use without permission). If you are new, "Create an account". We believe we could make a difference for your clients, answer the licensing questions for you, and help you earn significant referral income. Do I need to provide proof that I represent the catalog I am requesting access to? Beautiful weather, incredible parks and trails, and people dying to get outside combine to create a friendly, cheerful community in the summer in Minnesota. What are my options? 104-39, effective February 1, 1996, created a new limited performance right for certain digital transmissions of sound recordings. If they mention your name, you get paid. For example, in the data provided below (see screenshot); you can expect to spend around 30,000 dollars in a single song alone if you need the music for a high end or global ad campaign. If not, consider getting help to determine the Public Domain status of your song. Founders. To find sheet music, please check out our partner, SheetMusicPlus.com. Can I sample existing recordings with this license? Recording and performing cover songs are a great way to build your fanbase, but it’s important to do this legally to protect yourself from litigation. Interactive audio streaming licenses purchased from us prior to 2021 are valid and do not expire. Is the Seal of Authenticity included with IDBLM filing? It’s less time-consuming to compile all the songs requested, instead of creating a license for each and every track. You can request a master license from the copyright holder, typically the artist or their record label. When your clients call, they get personal help from the best licensing team in the business. Yes. Most publishers will ask for co-authorship of your song if you decide to register it with your PRO ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, for example). Clearing derivative works is very difficult. Yes. 2) Enter your email address and password. We take pride in our toughness to deal with the winters, but honestly, they're a pain for us too. - you request a song that has never been released, Music licensing is intended to ensure that the owners of copyrights on musical works are compensated for certain uses of their work. Apple loops and such are fine. Songwriters, Composers, Arrangers, and Producers can all earn significant sums of money from licensing their music for commercial use in movies, television, advertisements, YouTube videos, video games, and other forms of visual media. According to this article from the U.S. copyright office: So a sound recording is just that -- a recording of sounds. You don't have to obtain your proof of licensing from us to get the Seal of Authenticity. Usually, yes. Save time and make money. 6) A confirmation will appear indicating the success of your add, edit, or delete. Note that distributor information often appears on the cover of the sheet music (no music notes, the two major distributors are Alfred and Hal Leonard), while publisher information is always at the bottom center of the first page with music notes. Easy Song Licensing No. The team at Triple Scoop Music has hand-picked over 25,000 songs by talented independent artists and we make licensing easy, fun and affordable. Read this license to learn about the terms that apply, as well as the FAQs (which form part of the license). - medleys You can always come back to us and request a new license for additional units if necessary. Its Cover Song Licensing service makes it easy to get 100% of the permission required to release a new version of any song in 1-2 business days. - you need to license retroactively (a previous release of yours), Managing that paper can be a mess. Give us a call and we can help you with your questions and custom licensing needs. Click the following link for information about why you should register your copyright and how you can do it. make a movie based on a song) Perform or display the work publicly (e.g. Luckily, we make it easy to get 100% of the permission you need for your cover songs. It can also happen if the song has multiple copyrighted arrangements or if multiple songs go by the same title. If you purchased your licensing from us, you can add the seal to any past album by paying the standard Seal fee. If after we research, you are pretty sure the song does not match what you requested, please let us know and we'll get it corrected. You can provide proof of licensing from any source by delivering a PDF copy of the proof of licensing to us (call for details) along with the filing fee (checks made to Easy Song Licensing, or pay online). You can download the seal in a variety of sizes, and instructions are provided to include the seal in your digital album artwork or CD insert. https://www.easysonglicensing.com/pages/about-us/refund-policy.aspx. When you sign up for Custom Licensing, you will get access to an experienced professional who will be able to ensure you secure the correct license for your project that is up-to-date with new laws and regulations. They can also search using the unique numeric ID embedded in each Seal. If we are unable to find the song with the information you provide, we will ask if you have any other information that can help us locate the copyright owner, such as an address or phone number. Our experienced researchers will attempt to track down the current copyright holder for you. After you purchase, you can access the seal by clicking "Get Seal of Authenticity" near the left side of the project. Like us on Facebook for notifications and exclusive deals. Easy Song Licensing can help you through our Custom Licensing services. The song title is at the top center. Common examples include recordings of music, drama, or lectures. If you are in need of a cover version, Easy Song works with several vendors who do this at a very high level at very low rates. The master side representing the song's original sound recording rights holder is usually controlled by the record label or a master rights division within a larger entity. Share access with colleagues or business partners. You get proof of licensing in your email (PDF document). Both parties sign the paperwork to make the license official. Why does my cover song status say "Custom Required"? Your Proof of Licensing goes into the searchable public database at IDBLM.org. Artists can offer public use of their song through a Creative Commons license. Easy to read? 2. We can help you make your request with our Custom Licensing services. We can help you clear permission to use copyrighted music for any purpose. If you want permission to be the first to release a song, you must get permission directly from the copyright holders. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. You get a signed PDF document from us explaining our commitment to follow every step of the United States Compulsory Mechanical Licensing law on your behalf to the extent that you may legally distribute your recording of the listed copyrighted songs. For Custom Licensing, we must charge our full fee for every request, including reorders. 1) Go to your projects. Can you help me license a song that has never before been released? If you choose to license with us, you can add the Seal and IDBLM filing to any licensing project by checking the box at checkout. Get a mechanical license to release your cover song on CD, tape, vinyl, or as a digital download. By: Marshall Brain. It indicates that music licensing has been obtained and verified, and can be viewed online at IDBLM.org (the International Database of Licensed Music). Certain songwriter administrations are stricter than others (some have zero-tolerance policies), while others can be more open to these kinds of requests. For this reason, it is important to temper expectations. Simply choose the song you’d like to license, get a final price using the licensing wizard, and check out. You get a counter-signed copy of the custom-negotiated license agreement between you and the copyright holder. If you have specific questions about how this applies to your medley, please contact us for details. Now the wrong song is listed. However, you can edit the track order if you want. For help making a derivative request, check out our Custom Licensing services. How do licensees benefit from Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? With CD Baby, you'll never lose an … After we receive your payment, we follow the Compulsory Law to obtain your mechanical licenses for you. Common examples include recordings of music, drama, or lectures. The search is free, before or after you buy. Incorrect song information should never happen with custom license requests since each request is thoroughly vetted and discussed with your custom licensing expert before any request is made. 5) On "Add or edit songs" page, click and hold to drag and drop your songs in any order you want. Several websites have curated these Creative Common songs for easy access and review. There's no additional enrollment required. We can use that to start our free copyright owner search. For these, you will need to contact the copyright holder directly, typically the artist or their record label. We deliver Proof of Licensing to you via email, and each request is securely saved online so you can easily store and access all of your licensing for years to come. Royalties are based on formats, quantities, and length of your recording. Fall in Minnesota looks a lot like Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings. What if I can't get permission? If you have concerns, you can always leave the publisher information blank when submitting your songs. As part of the verification process, after you sign up, we might call or email you, and depending on the size of the catalog requested, we might ask for your W-9, or an email or letter on your company letterhead indicating you are an authorized manager of the catalog in question. Your Proof of Licensing appears when the seal is clicked or scanned with a smartphone. For this reason, it’s important to temper expectations when making a derivative request. 800.360.5192. For cover song licensing, no, track order does not matter. Are you frustrated, confused, need help, have a suggestion? We are a music licensing service. There are several things that can be copyrighted in any sound recording for a song. How does someone get a license for a song? One of the limitations of the Compulsory Law is that changes to the lyrics or fundamental melody of the song are not allowed. You can talk to a real person and we handle everything for you. Export custom reports to Microsoft Excel. Yes you need a license. The cookie identifies your referral, and lasts 30 days. We prefer that you report to us digitally. Try searching the song title followed by the word “song”. What is the International Database of Licensed Music (IDBLM)? Yes. Both the original master side and the publishing side need to cooperate within the same MFN per side (one side cannot be paid less than another) For this reason, it’s important to temper expectations when making a derivative request. Instead, a license is automatically granted and the copyright holder is not required to send any return paperwork. Put the seal on your album art or web page to show that licensing has been secured. Complete the Go Digital Form you receive from us (accompanies Notices of Intention and Statements of Account) and follow the instructions to return it to us. Yes, they are very cold. We suggest you license what you think you will sell in one year. Easy Song Licensing; from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Until that information is available, we recommend obtaining an Easy Song license to ensure you are properly covered. Clear Cover Songs Custom Licensing Get Backing Tracks Seal of Authenticity Help Center. Check out the Public Domain challenge below to see what we’re talking about. However, we suggest buying what you will use in a year's time. When adding medleys, add each song part as a separate song and provide the length in minutes and seconds of that song part. Video requires a Synchronization license, which can only be obtained through direct negotiations with the copyright holder. Songs and/or instrumentals are fine. With Custom Licensing, you can request a license from any country, for any use. Music licensing isn’t rocket science. How is your Partner Program different from your referral program? Once I have the copyrights, I can sell rights to the song if I choose to, and I can also prevent anyone else from using the music, the lyrics or the actual performance of the song. If you did, you would draw attention, regardless of your license status. The copyright holders maintain total control of their works. Online orders will be processed the … Licensing costs vary depending on how many copies you plan to distribute. We can help you make your request with our Custom Licensing services. However, the licenses you obtain through our cover song licensing service are valid for releases within the United States only. Once we receive your completed form, we will complete a verification process and give you access. This also holds true if you are using a high-end cover version (from another major artist). The number 1 way is "Art Tracks". After you have paid and the song status reads "Licensed", copy the complete text that you see below each song title exactly as it is listed on your project page, and paste it into your album artwork. A license is a formal agreement between the music owner and you that says it's okay for you to use their music. - you change the fundamental melody of the song (general rearrangement is allowed however), 4 min to read. In this situation, follow the instructions above regardless. License your song. Blanket License: This license allows users to have access to a portion or complete collection of songs for a flat annual fee, which can be convenient for places that just want background music like a shopping center or a cafe. No. However, the copyright holder can set any price, or reject the license outright. For digital downloads and interactive audio streams, you pre-pay for a certain number of downloads or streams up-front before you distribute and you're covered up to that number. Yes. Due to changes of the law, we no longer offer compulsory mechanical licensing (cover song licensing) for streams. - songs arrangements that change lyrics, abridge the music, or make other significant alterations to the original composition.