Plain-English guides for indie musicians navigating cover song licensing, mechanical rights, and music publishing.
Audio-only covers and video covers are governed by different licenses. Here's the plain breakdown of mechanical vs. sync licensing — and which one you actually need.
Song PicksClassic rock, pop, R&B, and country picks with licensing notes and streaming revenue context for each. All 10 are in CoverClear's catalog of 877 songs.
Spotify LicensingStep-by-step: mechanical licensing requirements, DSP upload process, and how CoverClear handles the whole flow in one click for indie musicians.
Pricing GuideThe real numbers: $0.12/unit statutory rate, $12-20/year recurring DistroKid fees, and how CoverClear's subscription model compares for indie musicians.
YouTube & CopyrightContent ID isn't a license. Here's what happens when you post a cover on YouTube without one — and the cleanest way to get properly licensed before you hit publish.
Licensing RatesThe CRB updated statutory rates. Here's what you owe in 2026 — physical, download, and streaming — and exactly how to get licensed before you distribute.
Royalties GuideStreaming royalties are handled automatically. Downloads and physical copies are not. Here's the full breakdown of the 13.1¢ statutory rate, the MLC, and what you actually owe.
Licensing GuideStreaming-only covers are handled automatically in the US. But downloads, YouTube, and physical releases are a different story. Here's the full breakdown.