Search any song. See the legal terms. License it. Distribute it. No lawyers. No months of waiting. No surprises.
CoverClear handles the mechanical licensing required to legally distribute your cover song. For streaming-only releases in the U.S., mechanical royalties are paid by streaming platforms directly to songwriters and publishers through the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). For digital downloads and physical releases, CoverClear tracks your sales and ensures the original copyright holders receive their statutory royalties — currently 13.1 cents per copy (2026 CRB rate). Your CoverClear subscription covers the platform service fee. Statutory royalties for downloads and physical sales are calculated separately based on actual usage.
The Reality
You nailed the arrangement. You're proud of it. But then reality hits.
Probably yes — you'll never know for sure. Streaming might be covered, downloads aren't. The rules change by format. Most artists guess and hope nothing happens.
Depends. On everything. It's 1997 somewhere. A dozen services with different rules, or hire a lawyer for $500+ per song. Either way, you're paying to figure out a question that should have a simple answer.
Takedowns. Disputes. Your channel goes silent. The big labels already know the answer — the system was built for them. You're not their problem. So you get the runaround.
Query the MLC database in real time. Enter a song title or artist name to see composition data, publishers, and writer information.
Searches the MusicBrainz recording database. Results show artist, ISRC, release, and rights metadata.
Search any song on Earth — we'll tell you instantly if it's licensable. No more guessing, no more calling services.
See the exact license terms in words you understand — not legalese. Know exactly what you're covered for before you commit.
License it with one click — no negotiation, no confusion, no lawyer. It's not your job to be a licensing expert. It's your job to make great music.
Distribute to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok — anywhere you want. You get the licensing power of a major label. No gatekeeping.
Type the original song title. We'll find it — composition data, rights holders, ISRC, all of it. One search. Zero database-hopping.
Click to license. See the exact terms in plain English. Pay once. Your license covers that song — no renewals, no renegotiations, no surprises.
Upload to your DAW. Release to all platforms at once. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok — your cover is legally covered everywhere you distribute.
CoverClear licenses cover faithful audio covers for U.S. distribution. Video covers, interpolations, samples, and international distribution require separate licensing.
Our licenses cover streaming, downloads, and physical releases. That's everything indie artists actually need.
Permission to record and distribute your version. Covers the composition rights you need for any audio release — streaming, downloads, and physical copies.
We explain what you're licensed for. No legalese. No buried gotchas. You'll know exactly what's covered before you click confirm.
Use it on Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, TikTok, Apple Music — wherever you want. Your license travels with your music. No platform restrictions.
See exactly what you earned from each cover. Transparent statements, fully auditable. Rights holders get paid. You stay compliant. Everyone is clear.
What Artists Say
"CoverClear saved me $500 in lawyer fees and three weeks of emails. I just searched, licensed, and shipped."
— Alex M., Singer-Songwriter
"Finally a service built for artists, not against us. I licensed 12 covers in an afternoon."
— Jordan R., Worship Leader
"As a synth artist who covers a lot, this is a game-changer. No more guessing if I'm covered."
— Sam K., Producer
Questions
Will my cover get taken down?
No. CoverClear licenses cover the same protections major labels have. You're legally covered for every distribution channel specified in your license.
Do I need this if I'm on YouTube?
YouTube requires it. So does Spotify for downloads. If you're distributing anywhere beyond casual SoundCloud, yes — you need a mechanical license.
What if you can't license the song?
We'll tell you upfront if we can't license it. No surprises, no guessing. You find out before you record, not after you publish.
Can I use this for TikTok?
Yes. Our licenses work everywhere. TikTok, Instagram, YouTube — all covered. One license, all platforms.
More questions? Read the full FAQ →
Search any song. Get licensed in minutes. Distribute everywhere. No lawyers required.
Get Started Free — No Card RequiredCoverClear gives indie artists the same licensing power as major labels. Simple. Transparent. Open to everyone.