Yes! You can distribute cover songs with Identity Music, as long as you have the correct licenses and use the right metadata.

What licenses do I need to distribute a cover song?

For most territories, Identity Music uses the MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective) to ensure the original artist and you are paid correctly. If you're releasing your track in a territory covered by the MLC, you don't need to obtain a separate mechanical license for your cover song.

If you're releasing a cover song in a territory not covered by the MLC (Mexico, Canada, India or Pakistan) you will need to obtain a mechanical license before distributing your cover song.

What should I use in the metadata of my cover song?

Bear these factors in mind when distributing your cover song:

✅ You should use only the original song title, e.g. 'Reptilia' or 'Reptilia (Acoustic Version)'

❌ You should not add 'cover' or 'tribute' or the original artist's name in your song title, e.g. 'Reptilia (Cover of The Strokes)'

✅ You should credit at least one of the original songwriters in your publishing metadata (to ensure the original songwriter(s) get paid properly)

✅ You should credit the original artist who performed the song in your publishing metadata (to ensure the original artist(s) get paid properly)

❌ You should not add the original songwriter or original performing artist as a 'Featuring Artist' on your release - they must be listed only in the publishing metadata

How much does it cost to release a cover song with Identity Music?

There are no additional fees to release cover songs with Identity Music! Releasing a cover song will fall under the same terms as your distribution deal, where you agreed a bespoke royalty share rate - there are no extra costs associated with releasing a cover song, besides the share the MLC will take to pay the original artist(s).