Cover Song License: Release Covers Legally

Release cover songs on Spotify, Apple Music and more without takedowns. Spilix secures the US mechanical license for you, from $15 per release a year.

Questions we get a lot.

Why do covers need a license?

Because the composition (lyrics + melody) is copyrighted by the original songwriter. The master recording is one copyright; the composition is another. When you cover, you create a new master — but still use someone else’s composition, hence the mechanical license.

What about covers for YouTube content?

YouTube has a different system — you upload your cover video to YouTube, the system auto-detects and shares revenue with the songwriter via YouTube Music Publishing. Spilix Cover License is for distributing the track to Spotify/Apple/Tidal etc, not for YouTube videos.

I cover a non-US song (J-pop, K-pop, local hit) — can Spilix license it?

Spilix Cover License clears only for US territory. For non-US songs, you may need to contact the local PRO (JASRAC, KOMCA, VCPMC, etc.) or songwriter directly to license in those regions. Spilix can still distribute, but the local license isn’t handled by Spilix.

When does $15/track/year start counting?

It starts from the day you enable Cover License for that track and runs for 12 months on its own cycle — separate from your Spilix plan’s renewal date. It renews automatically each year unless you turn off auto-renew.

Is there a limit on how many covers I can release?

No limit — each cover track costs $15/year. You can have an entire catalog of covers; each track is licensed independently.

If I cancel cover license, is my cover release still distributed?

When the license expires, the release becomes legally inactive. Spilix may have to take it down to avoid infringement. Renew to keep releases live.