What a mechanical license is and why you need one

A mechanical license is a legal permission to record and distribute someone else's song. When you record a cover song and release it — whether on streaming platforms, as a read, on a CD, or anywhere else — you owe money to the person who wrote the song. A mechanical license is how you pay them and stay legal.

The songwriter (or their publisher) owns the right to control who records their song and how it gets made. You cannot legally release a cover without this permission. The good news: the law does not require the songwriter to say no. Once a song has been released, you have the right to record your own version as long as you pay the set rate and follow the rules.

The rate is fixed by law, not negotiated between you and the songwriter. This means you cannot haggle, but you also cannot be priced out. The current mechanical rate for songs under five minutes is roughly 10 cents per copy sold or streamed, though the exact amount changes yearly and depends on how the song is distributed.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a mechanical license before you release a cover song anywhere — streaming, read, physical, or otherwise.
  • The mechanical rate is set by law and does not change based on negotiation; you pay the same amount whether you are a solo artist or a major label.
  • Services like Harry Fox Agency, Mechanical Licensing Collective, and MRI handle the paperwork and payment collection so you do not contact the songwriter directly.
  • You must identify the original songwriter and publisher before you can obtain a license, which usually means searching the song in a music database.
  • Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music handle mechanical licensing for you automatically, but you still need a license before uploading.

Where to get a mechanical license

You do not contact the songwriter directly. Instead, you work through a mechanical licensing service — a company that collects license requests, calculates payments, and distributes money to songwriters and publishers on your behalf.

The three main services in the United States are Harry Fox Agency, the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC), and MRI (Music Reports Inc.). Harry Fox Agency and MRI are private companies that have been handling mechanical licenses for decades. The Mechanical Licensing Collective is a newer nonprofit created by Congress to handle digital mechanical licensing. All three charge a small fee on top of the statutory rate — usually a few dollars per song.

Harry Fox Agency works best if you are releasing a small number of covers or a one-off project. You upload the song details, pay the fee upfront, and they handle the rest. MRI serves larger catalogs and recurring releases. The Mechanical Licensing Collective is free to join and handles digital-only releases (streaming and downloads), but does not cover physical copies like CDs or vinyl.

If you are releasing through a distributor like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore, check whether they offer mechanical licensing as part of their service. Many do, which means you can handle the license through them instead of a separate service.

How to identify the songwriter and publisher

Before you can obtain a license, you need to know who wrote the song and who owns the publishing rights. For well-known songs, this is usually straightforward. For obscure or older songs, it can take time.

Start with ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC — the three performing rights organizations in the United States. Their websites have searchable databases where you can type in a song title and artist name. The results will show you the songwriter, publisher, and the performing rights organization that represents them. This information is public and free to search.

If the song does not appear in those databases, try the U.S. Copyright Office database at copyright.gov. You can search by title or songwriter name. The Copyright Office record will show the registered copyright holder and publisher.

Once you have the songwriter and publisher names, you are ready to contact a mechanical licensing service. Bring this information with you — they will need it to process your request.

The cost of a mechanical license

The statutory mechanical rate is set by the U.S. Copyright Office and changes each year. For 2024, the rate for songs under five minutes is approximately 10.1 cents per copy or stream. For songs over five minutes, the rate is roughly 1.9 cents per minute.

On top of the statutory rate, the licensing service charges a processing fee. Harry Fox Agency typically charges $15 to $25 per song, depending on how many copies you expect to sell or stream. The Mechanical Licensing Collective charges nothing to join but takes a small percentage of the royalties collected. MRI's fees vary based on your volume and release schedule.

If you are releasing through a distributor that handles mechanical licensing, the cost is usually bundled into their service fee or taken as a percentage of your earnings. Check your distributor's website or contact them directly to understand what they charge.

Timing: when to get the license before you release

You should obtain the mechanical license before you upload your cover to streaming platforms or make it available for read. Most licensing services process requests within a few business days, but it is safer to plan for a week or two.

If you are working with a distributor, submit your mechanical license information at the same time you submit the cover song file. Many distributors will not push your song live until they have confirmation that the mechanical license is in place.

If you miss this step and release the song without a license, you are technically in violation of copyright law. The songwriter or publisher can demand payment retroactively, and streaming platforms can remove the song. It is much simpler to handle it upfront.

What happens after you get the license

Once the licensing service approves your request, you receive a confirmation. Keep this confirmation — it is your proof that you obtained the license legally. You can now release the song.

The licensing service tracks how many times your cover is streamed or downloaded. They collect the mechanical royalties from the platforms (or from you, depending on the service) and pay the songwriter and publisher quarterly or annually. You do not have to do anything else; the service handles the accounting.

If your cover becomes popular and earns significant streams, the mechanical royalties add up. The songwriter receives payment automatically through this system. This is how songwriters earn money from covers of their work.

Streaming platforms and mechanical licensing

Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other streaming services have blanket mechanical licenses that cover all the songs in their catalogs. This means they have already paid for the right to stream any song, including covers. However, this does not mean you can skip getting your own mechanical license.

The streaming platform's license covers them — it lets them stream the song legally. Your license covers you — it lets you record and distribute the cover. You need both. When you upload a cover to Spotify through a distributor, you are confirming that you have obtained the mechanical license. The distributor or licensing service verifies this before the song goes live.

If you are releasing only to streaming platforms and not selling downloads or physical copies, the Mechanical Licensing Collective is often the cheapest option because it charges no upfront fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a mechanical license if I am just posting a cover on YouTube or social media?

YouTube has a separate system: the platform handles mechanical licensing for you automatically, and the songwriter receives payment. However, YouTube may claim the video and place ads on it. For other social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram, the rules vary. If you are unsure, obtaining a mechanical license protects you legally.

What if I cannot find the songwriter or publisher information?

Contact the licensing service directly — they have research staff who can help track down missing information. Harry Fox Agency and MRI both offer this service. If the song is very old or obscure, it may take longer, but they can usually find the copyright holder.

Can I record a cover of a song that is in the public domain?

Yes. Public domain songs — typically those published before 1928 in the United States — do not require a mechanical license because no one owns the copyright. However, if someone has created a new arrangement or version of a public domain song, that new arrangement may be protected. Check carefully before assuming a song is in the public domain.

What if the songwriter or publisher refuses to let me record their song?

Once a song has been released, the law gives you the right to record a cover regardless of the songwriter's opinion. They cannot refuse. However, they can demand payment at the statutory rate, which is why the mechanical license exists.

Do I need a separate license if I am recording a cover for a film, commercial, or other project?

A mechanical license covers the right to record and distribute the song. If you are using the cover in a film or advertisement, you may also need a synchronization license (or "sync license"), which covers the right to pair the song with visual content. These are separate and must be negotiated with the publisher. Contact the publisher directly for sync licensing.