Short answer:
You can distribute cover songs to streaming platforms and online radio with Random Sounds by crediting the original song’s composers in the song credits.
📌 To distribute covers to direct selling platforms and micro-synchronization, it’s necessary to obtain a license. You can do this through our partners: Easy Song and Affordable Song Licensing.
In which cases do I need licenses?
Licenses depend on the type of sales each digital platform offers. Below you’ll find an explanation of each platform according to its type of sale:
Platform Type | Do you need to acquire a license? | Can covers be distributed? |
Direct Sale (Download) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Streaming (Interactive) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Online Radio (Non-interactive streaming) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Micro-synchronization | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
It’s important to clarify that you cannot distribute covers that sound very similar to the original version. This is known as a sound-alike cover and is prohibited.
Direct Sale (Download)
Direct selling platforms allow purchasing copies of songs for download.
Examples: iTunes, Amazon, Juno Download, Bandcamp
Streaming (Interactive)
Interactive streaming platforms allow you to play any song online by paying a subscription.
Examples: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal.
Online Radio (Non-interactive Streaming)
Online radio or non-interactive streaming platforms allow online playback of radio stations without the ability to choose any song at any time.
Examples: Pandora, Amp.
Micro-synchronization
Micro-synchronization platforms allow the use of songs in other content—such as videos or photos—through catalog selection or audio recognition in that content.
Examples: YouTube Content ID, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cover Distribution
Can I download a track from the Internet, use it in my recording, and distribute a cover?
Generally no. You may only use an original recorded by you; a cover means you’re not using the original artist’s recording.
Can I change the lyrics of a song in a cover?
If you modify the lyrics, legally it is no longer a cover but a derivative work. Standard licenses do not apply to derivative works, as these require private negotiation.
Can I change the musical genre of a song in a cover?
Yes — that’s one of the main creative aspects of covers.
Do I need written permission to record a cover?
No. But you do need a license for certain uses — like direct sales, micro-synchronization, or synchronization.
How do licenses work for compositions that are in the public domain?
If a song is in the public domain, you can create a cover or derivative work without buying a license.
📌 Important: Even if a song is in the public domain, this does not authorize the use of samples from recordings of that song without permission