Why is there custom licensing on my cover song project?

A compulsory mechanical license (Cover Song License) has specific requirements. If any of the following apply to your project, it may fall outside the scope of this license and require Custom Licensing instead:

• You changed any of the original lyrics (even slightly)
• You significantly altered the melody so it is no longer recognizable
• You are using a portion of someone else's original audio recording (a sample)
• Your release includes video of any kind
• The song has never been commercially released before
• You are licensing retroactively (after the release is already live)
• Your release serves a purpose beyond private listening by the end user (commercial, theatrical, etc.)

If any of these apply, our team needs to contact the publisher directly on your behalf to request permission, which is what Custom Licensing covers. If you believe your project was flagged incorrectly, contact us with your project details and we can take a look.