music licensing

A practical guide to crediting the original songwriter correctly when releasing a cover song in 2026.

What independent artists need to know about licensing covers of Japanese songs, from JASRAC to distribution costs.

A misspelled songwriter name on a cover release can quietly derail licensing and royalty payouts. Here's why it matters and how to fix it.

Compulsory vs negotiated license for covers: fixed statutory terms vs direct publisher negotiation, explained with real numbers.

YouTube approval and streaming-ready mechanical licensing are two completely different things. Here's why.

The exact checks that determine whether your cover song moderates fast or gets flagged and delayed.

Why cover artists are moving from DistroKid's annual plan to a $1 per-release model with licensing included.

Covering a song that includes a sample? Here's when a standard mechanical license covers you and when you need separate clearance.

How vocal coaches can legally distribute student cover recordings without licensing headaches or copyright risk.

Why streaming distribution doesn't cover sync rights, and what artists actually need to license a cover for TV or film use.