Cover Songs
How to distribute cover songs through DIMBER — and the mistakes that get them rejected.
Cover songs are allowed
Cover songs are allowed. Recording your own version of someone else's composition is a legitimate form of expression — and distribution. But there are rules, and they're not optional.
- Only distribute a cover song if you recorded the performance yourself and have the rights required to release it.
The basic principle
When you record a cover of a composition, you create a new master recording. You own your recording, not the original artist's master. That means you do not need master rights from the original artist if you are not using their recording.
The composition is a separate right. Even though the recording is yours, the underlying song still belongs to the songwriter or publisher. To distribute your version legally, you may need a mechanical license for that composition.
Mechanical licenses
A mechanical license gives you the right to reproduce and distribute a musical composition. In many jurisdictions, you can obtain that license through a compulsory licensing process or through a licensing service that handles the process on your behalf.
In the United States, this is typically handled through the MLC, the Mechanical Licensing Collective, or through a mechanical licensing service. Your responsibility does not end at upload. You need proper licensing in place for every cover song you distribute.
DIMBER does not obtain mechanical licenses for you. You are responsible for securing and maintaining proper licensing for every cover song you distribute.
Cover song requirements
Follow these rules when you prepare metadata for a cover release:
- Don't credit the original artist as the main artist. The main artist is you — the performer of the cover.
- Use your name as the performer. The metadata should reflect that it is your recording.
- You can use the original song title, but it should be clear that it is a cover version. Some artists append
(Cover)to the title. - Don't use the original artist's name in the artist field, track title, or artwork in a way that implies it is their recording.
DSP-specific requirements
Stores do not treat misleading cover metadata as a minor issue. If the release looks like impersonation, it gets flagged.
Spotify and Apple Music have specific requirements for cover songs. If your cover does not meet their metadata standards, it may be rejected or removed after delivery.
- Spotify may flag covers that credit the original artist or use misleading metadata.
- Apple Music requires clear performer attribution and may reject covers that appear to impersonate the original recording.
What you can't do
These violations will get your cover rejected, removed, or escalated:
- Don't distribute a cover that sounds like a soundalike. Deliberately imitating the original recording crosses the line.
- Don't use the original artist's artwork or branding.
- Don't claim the composition is yours.
- Don't distribute karaoke versions or re-records of the original master without rights.