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Cover Song License Agreement

For artists and rights holders agreeing on how a cover recording can be released.

Drafted by a Harvard Law attorney.

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FeatureCustom ContractEditable Template
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Time requiredAbout 2 to 5 minutesDepends on your edits
Price$50$50

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Is this the right contract for your cover?

This contract is built for recording and releasing your own version of an existing song. It fits situations where you want permission from the song's rights holder and want to set the royalty rate, any advance, the formats allowed, accounting, and credit to the original writers before you release the cover.

Good fit for

  • Artists releasing a cover of an existing song
  • Labels clearing a cover for release
  • Publishers or writers licensing their song to a cover artist
  • Deals setting a royalty rate and accounting
  • Releases that need credit to the original writers

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What's Inside This Contract

Grant of license

Sets the song covered and permission to record and release your version.

Royalties

Defines the royalty rate and any advance against it.

Accounting and payment

Covers how and when accounting and payment are provided.

Credit and metadata

Sets credit to the original writers and how the release is labeled.

Term and reversion

States how long the license lasts and any reversion of rights.

Representations and warranties

Each side confirms it has the right to enter the deal.

Termination

Explains how and when the license can end.

Disputes and general provisions

Covers standard terms such as notices, how disputes are handled, and signatures.

Not sure what a section means? Every contract you create includes a built-in "Explain Sections" view with a plain-English note for each part of the document.

Before you start

It helps to have these details on hand before you create your contract:

  • The song being covered and its rights holder
  • Your name and the licensor's name
  • The royalty rate, whether statutory or negotiated
  • Any advance against royalties
  • Which formats and uses are allowed
  • How and when accounting is provided
  • Whether video or sync uses are included
  • Credit to the original writers

Points Worth Negotiating

  • The royalty rate, whether statutory or negotiated
  • Which formats and uses are allowed
  • Any advance against royalties
  • How and when accounting is provided
  • Whether video or sync uses are included

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cover song license agreement?
It is an agreement that lets you record and release your own version of an existing song, setting the royalty rate, formats, and accounting.
Who should sign it?
You as the cover artist and the song's rights holder both sign. The signatures confirm the royalty rate, the formats allowed, and credit to the original writers.
Do I need a license to release a cover?
Yes. Releasing a recording of someone else's song requires a mechanical license for audio releases, and other uses like video need separate permission.
What is a statutory rate?
It is a royalty rate set by law for certain uses of a song. Some licenses use that rate, while others negotiate a different one.
Can I make a music video of my cover?
Not automatically. Video or sync uses need separate permission, so check whether the license includes them.
How is this different from a sync license?
A cover license lets you record and release your own audio version of a song. A Sync License covers pairing a recording with visual content like a film or video.
Should I choose the custom contract or the editable template?
Choose the custom contract to answer a few questions and have it filled in for you. Choose the editable template if you prefer a blank version with labeled fields to complete yourself.
What are common warning signs in a cover song license agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any cover song license agreement:

  • Unclear royalty rate or accounting
  • No limit on formats or uses
  • Missing credit to the original writers
  • Sync or video rights assumed without permission
  • No audit right
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