Content & rights: music distribution help

Cover, sample, artwork and ownership. I fit release cover song? I fit distribute remix? Wetin about sample? Wetin be the artwork rule? I go still own my music? Why cover dey need license? Wetin about cover for YouTube content? I cover non-US song (J-pop, K-pop, local hit) — Spilix fit license am? When $15/track/year go start to count? Limit dey on how many cover I fit release? If I cancel cover license, my cover release still dey distribute?

  • I fit release cover song? — Yes, but you need the correct mechanical licence for the territory wey you dey release for (na law for market like US). Our Mechanical Cover License add-on fit secure am for you.
  • I fit distribute remix? — Only with permission from the original rights holder. To release remix without clearance fit cause takedown and e be copyright infringement.
  • Wetin about sample? — Any sample must clear with im owner before release. Sample wey no clear fit make dem remove the release and hold your earning.
  • Wetin be the artwork rule? — Perfect square, minimum 3000×3000px, no logo, URL, social handle, price or misleading text, and no image wey you no get the rights to. Store dey reject cover wey break these rule.
  • I go still own my music? — Always. You dey grant Spilix non-exclusive licence only so we fit deliver to the store wey you choose, and you fit request takedown any time.
  • Why cover dey need license? — Because the composition (lyrics + melody) na the original songwriter get the copyright. The master recording na one copyright; the composition na another one. When you cover, you dey create new master — but you still dey use person else composition, na im make you need the mechanical license.
  • Wetin about cover for YouTube content? — YouTube get different system — you go upload your cover video go YouTube, the system go auto-detect am come share revenue with the songwriter through YouTube Music Publishing. Spilix Cover License na for distributing the track go Spotify/Apple/Tidal etc, no be for YouTube video.
  • I cover non-US song (J-pop, K-pop, local hit) — Spilix fit license am? — Spilix Cover License dey clear only for US territory. For non-US song, you fit need contact the local PRO (JASRAC, KOMCA, VCPMC, etc.) or the songwriter direct to license am for those region. Spilix fit still distribute am, but Spilix no dey handle the local license.
  • When $15/track/year go start to count? — E dey start from the day wey you enable Cover License for that track come run for 12 months on im own cycle — separate from your Spilix plan renewal date. E dey renew automatic every year unless you off auto-renew.
  • Limit dey on how many cover I fit release? — No limit — each cover track na $15/year. You fit get whole catalog of cover; each track dey licensed on im own.
  • If I cancel cover license, my cover release still dey distribute? — When the license expire, the release go become legally inactive. Spilix fit need take am down to avoid infringement. Renew am to keep release live.