Frequently Asked Questions - Easy Song Licensing

Are there any special requirements or restrictions for your Partner Program? The only requirement for partnership is that you maintain an active link to us. Anyone can become a partner. However, to maintain a manageable and relevant list for our clients, some partners might not qualify for a public listing on our Partners page. If we reached out to you, it's because we believe you are a prime candidate for our Partners page and the Partner program. We believe we could make a difference for your clients, answer the licensing questions for you, and help you earn significant referral income.

Can I change the lyrics with this license? No. One of the limitations of the Compulsory Law is that changes to the lyrics or fundamental melody of the song are not allowed. If you want permission to change the lyrics, the fundamental melody, or the sheet music you need a Print license, which can only be obtained through direct negotiations with the copyright holder. We can help you make your request with our Custom Licensing services.

Can I change the melody of the song with this license? Yes. However, you cannot change the fundamental nature of the melody. In other words, the original song must remain recognizable in your new version. If you want permission to change the lyrics, the fundamental melody, or the sheet music you need a Print license, which can only be obtained through direct negotiations with the copyright holder. We can help you make your request with our Custom Licensing services.

Can I distribute internationally with this license? No. The licenses you obtain from us are valid for releases within the United States only. This includes digital releases on web sites and servers hosted in the United States, and physical releases within our borders. To get permission to release outside of the United States, please check with your local rights agency, or check out our Custom Licensing services. With Custom Licensing, you can request a license for distribution outside of the United States. The allowed territories will be established in your custom agreement with the copyright holders.

Can I earn referral income for Custom Licensing referrals? Sorry, no. At this time we pay referral income for Cover Song Licensing referrals only. Not for our Partner Program either. We currently pay referral income for Cover Song Licensing referrals only.

Can I file albums that have been previously released for inclusion in IDBLM? Yes. If you purchased your licensing from us, you can add the seal to any past album by paying the standard Seal fee. To do so, please call us with the album title you want to upgrade. If you purchased your licensing from another provider, please follow the instructions below to mail us your proof of licensing.

Can I get just one license for a song that I will put on multiple albums? No. For reporting and tracking reasons, you need a separate license for each release, even if the same song is used on multiple releases. In some cases, you can request multiple uses on one request form. This depends on each unique scenario and is something you can discuss with our Custom Licensing expert during your consultation.

Can I make changes to my project after licensing has started? In some cases, minor changes will be allowed depending on the timing. However, once requests have been sent to the publishers changes are not allowed. If you have concerns, ask your licensing expert for details.

Can I rearrange the song with this license? Yes. You can make your own arrangement. However you cannot change the lyrics or fundamental nature of the melody of the song. Also, permission to arrange is limited to your recording. This means you cannot release any sort of sheet music arrangement under this license. If you want permission to change the lyrics, the fundamental melody, or the sheet music you need a Print license, which can only be obtained through direct negotiations with the copyright holder. We can help you make your request with our Custom Licensing services.

Can I sample existing recordings with this license? No. A Master License is required when licensing an existing recording that you did not make. For these, you will need to contact the copyright holder directly, typically the artist or their record label. You can request a master license from the copyright holder, typically the artist or their record label. However, the copyright holder can set any price, or reject the license outright. For this reason, Custom Licensing is not guaranteed.

Can I search your database for publishers? Yes. A link to our public list of publishers can be found at the bottom of the Help Center. Or, follow the link below.

Can I search your database for songs? Yes. A link to our public songs database can be found at the bottom of the Help Center. Or, follow the link below.

Can I split the license, and get just one license for two different formats? No. We have to send separate paperwork for each different format you release. So, if you plan to distribute on multiple formats, such as CDs and digital downloads, you will need to buy a separate license for each, and we will have to charge our fee each time. In some cases, you can request multiple uses on one request form. This depends on each unique scenario and is something you can discuss with our Custom Licensing expert during your consultation.

Can you copyright my songs for me? No. We don't do this right now. Click the following link for information about why you should register your copyright and how you can do it.

Can you help me find the sheet music for the song...? We are a music licensing service. We do not publish, distribute, or sell sheet music. To find sheet music, please check out our partner, SheetMusicPlus.com.

Can you help me get a license for YouTube, video, or DVD? Yes, but not with our standard cover song license. Video requires a Synchronization license, which can only be obtained through direct negotiations with the copyright holder. We can help you make your request with our Custom Licensing services.

Can you help me get a license to play my songs on the radio? No. Radio airplay requires Public Performance Rights. In the United States, all Public Performance Rights are handled by three agencies, ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. Artists often do not need to secure Public Performance Rights for radio because they are covered by the station. Also most reputable web sites (such as Pandora) handle this for you. However, if you plan to stream on your own web site, you need to obtain rights. If you are unsure whether you need Public Performance Rights, you should contact these agencies.

Can you help me license a song that has never before been released? No. One of the limitations of the Compulsory Law is that it applies only to songs that have previously been released. First release is one of the exclusive rights of the copyright holder. If you want permission to be the first to release a song, you must get permission directly from the copyright holders. We can help you make your request with our Custom Licensing services.

Do I get the actual licenses, the paperwork signed by the publishers? No. Under Compulsory Law, no paperwork is received from the copyright holders. Instead, a license is automatically granted and the copyright holder is not required to send any return paperwork. You get a signed PDF document from us explaining our commitment to follow every step of the United States Compulsory Mechanical Licensing law on your behalf to the extent that you may legally distribute your recording of the listed copyrighted songs. If your license request is accepted, yes, you will receive custom paperwork from the copyright holder. Both parties sign the paperwork to make the license official.

Do I need a music license? If you use music that other people created, no matter how you use it, you need to get a license. This is true even if you are giving away your project for free, or if it's for a non-profit. You do not need permission to use songs that you wrote yourself or songs that you know are in the Public Domain.

Do I need to buy my licensing from you to file with IDBLM? No. Artists may file through any IDBLM authorized music licensing agency or publisher. If you choose to license with another provider, you can still get the Seal of Authenticity from us. Contact us to submit your proof of licensing and payment to us. If you choose to license with us, you can add the Seal and IDBLM filing to any licensing project by checking the box at checkout. When you file with us, no additional steps are required by you.

Do I need to buy the seal for each format? No. One seal covers all formats for an album or single (one project). If you release your album on compact discs and digital downloads, you will need to purchase only one seal. Once you have purchased, subsequent licensing purchases for the same album or single will automatically be filed with IDBLM and displayed from your seal.

Do I need to provide proof that I represent the catalog I am requesting access to? Yes. As part of the verification process, after you sign up, we might call or email you, and depending on the size of the catalog requested, we might ask for your W-9, or an email or letter on your company letterhead indicating you are an authorized manager of the catalog in question.

Do the licenses expire? No. However, we suggest buying what you will use in a year's time. Usually, yes. The terms of the expiration will be established in the custom license agreement made with the copyright holder.

Do you license for Karaoke or performance tracks? Yes, but this is not included in our standard cover song license. Check out our Backing Tracks and Custom Licensing services. You can now easily obtain fully customizable cover recordings for any use through our new Get Backing Tracks service.

If you want to use an original recording that someone else made, you need a master license, which can only be obtained through direct negotiations with the copyright holder. We can help you make your request with our Custom Licensing services.

Check out the links at the top of the page (desktop) or in the menu (mobile) for more info on these services.

Do you license internationally for customers in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom (UK) and other countries outside of the United States? Yes. However, the licenses you obtain from us are valid for releases within the United States only. This includes digital releases on web sites and servers hosted in the United States, and physical releases within our borders. To get permission to release outside of the United States, please check with your local rights agency, or ask us for assistance negotiating a custom license directly with the copyright holder. With Custom Licensing, you can request a license for distribution outside of the United States. The allowed territories will be established in your custom agreement with the copyright holders.

Do you license songs written by international composers, such as a song by a composer living in Japan? We respect the laws of the land of the copyright holder. If a song is not represented by a United States copyright holder or agency appointed to administer the copyrights, we will not license it without written permission from the copyright holder. If you request an international song, we reach out to the copyright holder and try to reach a custom agreement. If that's not possible, we will not be able to obtain the license and we will process a refund in accordance with our refund policy. Songs exclusively written by international composers can be cleared through our Custom Licensing services. With Custom Licensing, you can request a license from any country, for any use. However, the copyright holder can set any price, or reject the license outright. For this reason, Custom Licensing is not guaranteed.

Do you offer digital distribution services? No. We suggest you work with our partner CD Baby, the leader in independent music distribution.

Do you provide barcodes? No. You can get these from your manufacturer or online distributor.

Do you provide ISRC numbers? No. Please contact your record label or digital distributor for help obtaining ISRC codes, or visit this link:

Do you reward customers for referrals? Yes we do. Tell your friends about Easy Song Licensing and ask them to mention your name when they sign up. Like us on Facebook to receive exclusive coupons in your news feed, then share them with your friends. You will help your friends save money and you will earn referral cash. Example referrals: 3 songs, you earn $6.74. 5 songs, you earn $11.24. 10 songs, you earn $20.98.

Does my album track order matter for licensing purposes? For cover song licensing, no, track order does not matter. However, you can edit the track order if you want. To set your track order:

1) Go to your projects. Click your profile pic top right, then "Your Projects".
2) Select "Cover song projects".
3) On "Your Projects" page, click the project you want to work with.
4) On the project page, click "Add or edit songs" (on the left on desktops, in the context menu top-right on mobile devices).
5) On "Add or edit songs" page, click and hold to drag and drop your songs in any order you want.
6) Click "Save track order" to save your changes.
7) Repeat steps 1 and 2 to return to your project and confirm the changes. For Custom Licensing, yes, it is possible that your track order could matter. This is something to discuss with your Custom Licensing representative.

How are medleys handled? Do we have to get a license for each separate song part of the medley? Yes. For medleys, each song part counts as a separate song, and requires separate royalties and our fee to process each part separately. Unfortunately, this is required by law.

When adding medleys, add each song part as a separate song and provide the length in minutes and seconds of that song part.

Note that medleys can be considered derivative works, which require special permission from the copyright holder. This depends on how the medley is constructed and varies case-by-case. If you have specific questions about how this applies to your medley, please contact us for details. For custom licensing purposes, each song part of the medley counts as a song. In other words, if you have paid for Custom Handling services for up to five songs, this would cover only one medley with five song parts.

How are the costs calculated? Our prices include all royalties plus a fee for our services. All of the royalties go to the copyright holder; We keep only our fee. Royalties are based on formats, quantities, and length of your recording. For physical product, you need to count each unit manufactured, even if you are giving them away. For digital, estimate what you will distribute in one year. It's up to you to make sure you do not exceed what you have licensed. If you need to reorder, we make it easy, and our fee is half price the second time around. Choose Custom Assistance where you submit the request with our help ($99), or let us handle everything for you with Custom Handling ($149). Pay the upfront fee. For custom handling, add 30% of the negotiated license fee, due when you sign the license.

How do I add, edit, or delete a saved credit card on my account? First, sign in at EasySongLicensing.com.
1) Tap the menu icon at the top right, then "Account", then "Sign in".
2) Enter your email address and password. If you are new, "Create an account".

Once you are signed in, to update your payment info:
1) Tap the menu icon at the top right, then "Your Account", then "Account Settings".
2) On your "Account Settings" page, click "Payment Info".
3) On the "Payment Info" page, click "Edit", "Delete", or "Add a new card".
4) If deleting, click "OK" to confirm your decision to delete the card.
5) If adding or editing, provide the new information and click "Save".
6) A confirmation will appear indicating the success of your add, edit, or delete. The updated card information will be reflected at checkout. First, sign in at EasySongLicensing.com.
1) Click "Sign in" at the top right.
2) Enter your email address and password. If you are new, "Create an account".

Once you are signed in, to update your payment info:
1) Click your profile pic at the top right, then click "Account Settings".
2) On your "Account Settings" page, click "Payment Info".
3) On the "Payment Info" page, click "Edit", "Delete", or "Add a new card".
4) If deleting, click "OK" to confirm your decision to delete the card.
5) If adding or editing, provide the new information and click "Save".
6) A confirmation will appear indicating the success of your add, edit, or delete. The updated card information will be reflected at checkout.

How do I affix the seal to my album artwork and promotional materials? You can have your designer embed the seal in your album artwork, add a link to your web page, and even print stickers to put on your album and promotional materials (helpful if CDs have already been manufactured). Put the seal on your albums, promotional posters, pass-along cards, and merchandise to prove you are legit.

How do I collect referral income I have earned? Getting paid is simple. You don't have to fill out forms or request payment. Instead, we send you monthly paychecks automatically. We have a strong incentive to keep the money rolling your way. The easier it is for you to get your referral money, the more you'll want to send your friends our way. Plus, there's no minimum to get your payment. We'll send a check for as little as two bucks. We send referral checks monthly. There is no minimum, and no action required by you to receive your referral check.

How do I credit the copyright holders? After you have paid and the song status reads "Licensed", copy the complete text that you see below each song title exactly as it is listed on your project page, and paste it into your album artwork. Include the song title, composers, and publishers.

If no publisher is listed, we licensed the song either directly with the composer, or through the United States Copyright Office. In this situation, follow the instructions above regardless.

If you are not able to include credits because of design limitations, you can leave them out. They are not required by law. However, it's a good idea to include credits if you can, as a courtesy to the copyright holder. For all custom licenses obtained through our Custom Licensing services, please follow the instructions for credits on the license documents you receive. By law, credits must exactly match the instructions from the license agreement. If there are no explicit instructions for crediting the copyright holder, we suggest following our instructions described above (the instructions for "Cover Song Licensing").

How do I enroll in your Partner Program? First, create an account using the link below. If you already have an account, still click below to add Partner permissions. Next, you will see Your Partners page. There, you can add your Partner listing and access everything you need to create your referral link and start earning.

How do I enroll in your referral program? If you're signed up at Easy Song Licensing, you're ready to collect referral money. There's no additional enrollment required. So start now, spread the good news, and get paid this month.

How do I get the Seal of Authenticity? You can add the seal to any cover song licensing project at checkout. After you purchase, you can access the seal by clicking "Get Seal of Authenticity" near the left side of the project. Or, follow the instructions we send in an email. You can download the seal in a variety of sizes, and instructions are provided to include the seal in your digital album artwork or CD insert.

How do I know how many copies to license if I haven't even released the music yet? For digital downloads and interactive audio streams, you pre-pay for a certain number of downloads or streams up-front before you distribute and you're covered up to that number. We suggest you license what you think you will sell in one year. It's up to you to monitor your actual sales and make sure you do not exceed what you have licensed.

If necessary, you can come back to us and get a new license for additional units. If it's an exact re-order without changes, our fee is half-price. This makes it easy for you to license only what you need upfront and avoid paying too much in fees for reorders. Better yet, if you have purchased the Seal of Authenticity with fee-free reorders, you will avoid our fee entirely and pay only the additional royalties owed. For custom licensing, the quantity, along with the term (duration) and regions where you will distribute, is important and will affect the fee proposed by the copyright holder. For custom license requests, you should estimate quantities for digital releases in the same way as you would for your cover songs (described above).

How do I sign up for Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? Complete the Go Digital Form you receive from us (accompanies Notices of Intention and Statements of Account) and follow the instructions to return it to us. Once we receive your completed form, we will complete a verification process and give you access. Watch for an email from us with an invitation, and link to access your info online.

How do I submit proof of licensing from another licensing provider for inclusion in IDBLM? You don't have to obtain your proof of licensing from us to get the Seal of Authenticity. You can provide proof of licensing from any source by delivering a PDF copy of the proof of licensing to us (call for details) along with the filing fee (checks made to Easy Song Licensing, or pay online). Please call us for details.

How do licensees benefit from Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? We deliver the Notice of Intention to the copyright holders instantly online. Licensees benefit from faster delivery of their Proof of Licensing. What took a few days with the United States Postal Service, now can happen instantly online.

How do the fee-free reorders for life work? After you buy the seal on a project, our fee is automatically reduced to zero for every song on every new release you add to that project. There are some limitations: Fee-free reorders apply to the project for which the seal was purchased only. Also, they do not apply to releases that require custom licensing. Finally, the reorder format must match the format of a previous fully paid release. Additional Custom Licensing fees will apply if the total quantity licensed exceeds 10,000 streams, or 2,500 units for all other formats, or if the release format requires custom licensing. Please contact us for details.

How do you track referrals? We ask every caller how they heard about us. If they mention your name, you get paid. We capture every referral, you get paid every time. You link to us on your web site, blog, or newsletter. Referrals are tracked using a special link we provide. When clicked, a cookie is saved on the client's device. The cookie identifies your referral, and lasts 30 days.

In addition to the tracking cookie, we ask every caller how they heard about us. If they mention your name, you get paid. We capture every referral, you get paid every time.

How does licensing for digital downloads and interactive audio streams work? For digital downloads and interactive audio streams, you pre-pay for a certain number of downloads or streams up-front before you distribute. We suggest you license what you think you will sell in one year. It's up to you to monitor your sales and make sure you do not exceed what you have licensed. You can always come back and get a new license for additional units. If it's an exact re-order without changes, our fee is half-price. This makes it easy for you to license only what you need upfront and avoid paying too much in fees for reorders. The license duration, terms, quantities, and territories will be established in the custom agreement. You can always come back to us and request a new license for additional units if necessary. For Custom Licensing, we must charge our full fee for every request, including reorders.

How does the seal work? 1) Fans, publishers, and copyright holders find the IDBLM Seal of Authenticity on your album, indicating your inclusion in the public International Database of Licensed Music.

2) When they click or scan your album with a smartphone IDBLM opens and displays licensing for your album. They can also search using the unique numeric ID embedded in each Seal.

3) You can file proof of licensing, proof of original content, proof of public domain content and more from any authorized licensing agency, and fans can see exactly what you have licensed, what is original, and what is public domain.

How does your Partner Program work? We link to you on our Partners page. You link to us on your web site, blog, or newsletter. Referrals are tracked using a special link we provide. When clicked, a cookie is saved on the client's device. The cookie identifies your referral, and lasts 30 days. When your clients call, they get personal help from the best licensing team in the business. When they license a song, we pay you 15% of our fee. You can view your referrals and our payments to you through your EasySongLicensing.com account. We send referral checks monthly.

How is it possible for you to help me license any song? Meant to foster creativity, the Compulsory Mechanical Licensing Law makes it possible for you to legally record your new version of any existing song, even without the copyright holder's express permission. If you ask a publisher directly, they can demand any fee or reject your request outright. But under Compulsory Law, they cannot reject the license. Even in cases where the copyright holder is highly protective of their work, this law allows small-timers to cover some very popular songs. Compulsory law is restrictive and does not cover every use. When your project demands more than the compulsory law allows, Easy Song Licensing’s Custom Licensing services are the answer. We help you submit your request to the copyright holder. However, custom licensing is not guaranteed. The copyright holder has complete control, can set any price, take as much time as they want, and reject the request altogether.

How is your Partner Program different from your referral program? Unlike our referral program, enrollment is required. Enrollment qualifies you for a listing on our Partners page, cookie tracking, and online access to referrals. Unlike the referral program, you have the opportunity to earn from repeat customers, each time the cookie link is clicked. Finally, to keep your Partner status, you must maintain an active link to us.

Like the referral program, we ask every caller how they heard about us and every referral counts (even callers who never click the cookie link). We also send you monthly paychecks automatically, meaning you never have to request payment.

How long does it take to get my Proof of Licensing? About 1-2 business days after we receive your payment. If you choose to wait for search results before buying, add 1-2 business days for a total of 2-4 business days from the time you submit your songs. Custom Licensing can be challenging because, by law, the copyright holders maintain total control of their works. This means they can set any fee, take all the time they need, and reject the license outright. For this reason, it is important to temper expectations. Many factors affect the response, including budget, use, and even the current workload of the copyright holder’s processing department. For this reason, we do not guarantee licensure in whole or in part for any custom request, and we also do not guarantee timing, or even that you will get a response from the copyright holder.

How long have you been in business? Since 2005. We started out as a mobile recording service for churches, schools, and indie artists (Legacy Productions). From the start, we knew we wanted to do things legally, even when some of our competitors were not. That involved learning about mechanical licensing. In 2007 we began offering our music licensing services to the public through Easy Song Licensing. We still license music for our own productions and for our thousands of licensing customers across the country.

How much do I earn per referral with your referral program? We pay you fifteen percent of our fees for every new customer you send us. Five songs earns you $11.24. Ten songs gets you $20.98. We want you to make lots of money. If you see dollar signs, you're going to send more friends our way.

How much does it cost? Licensing costs vary depending on how many copies you plan to distribute. That's because royalties are calculated based on number of copies. Click the link below for more information on pricing, or to estimate how much your licensing will cost. You can get an exact quote by submitting your songs to us for a free search. The copyright holders maintain total control of their works. This means they can set any fee, take all the time they need, and reject the license outright. Depending on your use, the cost will typically range from $200 to thousands.

I live outside the of the United States. Do I need a cover song license? Yes you need a license. However, the licenses you obtain through our cover song licensing service are valid for releases within the United States only. This includes digital releases on web sites and servers hosted in the United States, and physical releases within U.S. borders.

To get permission to release outside of the United States, check with your local rights agency or check out our custom licensing services, where we help you negotiate a license directly with the copyright holder in any country.

I work for a publisher. We prefer that you report to us digitally. What are my options? Our service, Go Digital for Publishers! You get unlimited access to all of the licensing information you receive from us (Notice of Intention, Statement of Account, Royalty Payment), online, for free. View requests live, as they come in. Search by date, title, composer, song ID and more. Easily print one request or many. Export custom reports to Microsoft Excel. Share access with colleagues or business partners.

If I do CDs and digital downloads, does that require two separate licenses? Yes. We have to send separate paperwork for each different format you release. So, if you plan to distribute on multiple formats, such as CDs and digital downloads, you will need to buy a separate license for each, and we will have to charge our fee each time.

Is the Seal of Authenticity included with IDBLM filing? Yes. The IDBLM Seal of Authenticity is included with each IDBLM filing. Filing means your proof of licensing is placed in the IDBLM database. The seal links to IDBLM and displays all filings for that album or single.

Is the Seal of Authenticity required by law? No. Proof of licensing is all that is required by law. This is an additional way to show the public you have done things legally.

Song information changed after your experts researched the song. Now the wrong song is listed. What's up? This usually happens when you provide an original artist different from the actual composer. It can also happen if the song has multiple copyrighted arrangements or if multiple songs go by the same title. If after we research, you are pretty sure the song does not match what you requested, please let us know and we'll get it corrected. Incorrect song information should never happen with custom license requests since each request is thoroughly vetted and discussed with your custom licensing expert before any request is made. However, if you feel our research is not correct, this is something to discuss with your representative.

What are the specific benefits of Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? You get unlimited access to all of the licensing information you receive from us (Notice of Intention, Statement of Account, Royalty Payment), online, for free. View requests live, as they come in. Search by date, title, composer, song ID and more. Easily print one request or many. Export custom reports to Microsoft Excel. Share access with colleagues or business partners.

What do I get as Proof of Licensing? You get a signed PDF document from us explaining our commitment to follow every step of the United States Compulsory Mechanical Licensing law on your behalf to the extent that you may legally distribute your recording of the listed copyrighted songs. We also provide information about how to include liner note credits for the publishers and composers of the songs you use. You get a counter-signed copy of the custom-negotiated license agreement between you and the copyright holder.

What do you do for me? We help you legally release your new recording of a song that someone else wrote, quickly and easily in 1-2 business days. You can talk to a real person and we handle everything for you. We deliver Proof of Licensing to you via email, and each request is securely saved online so you can easily store and access all of your licensing for years to come. When your project demands more than basic cover song licensing, Easy Song Licensing’s Custom Licensing services are the answer. Custom Assistance gets you everything you need to submit your requests to the copyright holders and clear the rights you need. Choose Custom Handling and we process the request for you.

We can help you clear permission to use copyrighted music for any purpose. YouTube, film, print, web, tv, advertising, corporate, derivatives, grand rights and more. Clear sync licenses, grand rights, mechanical licenses, print rights, and master licenses.

What if I can't get permission? Is it possible that you might not be able to help me clear a song? We can license almost any song. It's rare that we are unable to license a song. Meant to foster creativity, the Compulsory Mechanical Licensing Law makes it possible for you to legally record your new version of any existing song, even without the copyright holder's express permission. If you ask a publisher directly, they can demand any fee or reject your request outright. But under Compulsory Law, they cannot reject the license. Even in cases where the copyright holder is highly protective of their work, this law allows small-timers to cover some very popular songs.

There are some limitations, however. Easy Song Licensing will not be able to help you get a compulsory mechanical license if:

- you change the lyrics of the song,
- you change the fundamental melody of the song (general rearrangement is allowed however),
- you request a song that has never been released,
- you need to license retroactively (a previous release of yours),
- you release your recording of the song for any purpose other than personal private listening by the end user, or
- you request a song with a copyright holder based outside of, and not represented in the United States.

If any of the above scenarios apply to you, please check out our custom licensing services. Custom licensing can be challenging because, by law, the copyright holders maintain total control of their works. This means they can set any fee, take all the time they need, and reject the license outright. For this reason, it is important to temper expectations. Many factors affect the response, including budget, use, and even the current workload of the copyright holder’s processing department. For this reason, we do not guarantee licensure in whole or in part for any custom request, and we also do not guarantee timing, or even that you will get a response from the copyright holder. This forfeiture of guarantee extends to cases of both Custom Assistance and Custom Handling. Also, any fees paid for custom licensing are non-refundable, as described in our refund policy.

What if I cover a very obscure song? Our experienced researchers will attempt to track down the current copyright holder for you. If we are unable to locate the current copyright holder, we can still file the license request with the library of congress, which covers you legally.

If we are able to find any trace of the song, we won't be able to license it due to the limitations of the compulsory law. In this case, we will refund all royalties and fees paid for that song.

What if I sell out and need to distribute more copies of my album? It's up to you to monitor your sales and make sure you do not exceed what you have licensed. You can always come back to us and get a new license for additional units. If it's an exact reorder without changes, our fee is half-price. This makes it easy for you to license only what you need upfront and avoid paying too much in fees for reorders. It's up to you to monitor your sales and make sure you do not exceed what you have licensed. You can always come back to us and get a new license for additional units. For Custom Licensing, we must charge our full fee for every request, including reorders.

What information do you need from me? We need to know your complete contact information, the title of your album, and the artist (you or your group). We need to know what formats you will release (CDs, Digital Downloads, Interactive Audio Streams) and how many copies of each format. Finally, we need to know the title, composer or original recording artist, and length of your recording of each song in minutes and seconds. You can submit this online or email it to us. We will ask you to complete our proprietary custom license request form in preparation for your consultation. This form asks for specific information about how you are using the music. The greater the detail you can provide, the better. You can then use this completed form to make your request to the copyright holder, or choose Custom Handling and have us handle that.

What is a "Derivative Work"? A "derivative work" is any song that takes a pre-existing work and uses that material to create a new composition. It differs from a cover song, which is a more straightforward interpretation of an existing composition without significant alterations to the melody or lyrics.

Examples of derivative works include:
- translations
- sampling or replaying (re-recording a segment of the original song)
- parodies
- medleys
- songs arrangements that change lyrics, abridge the music, or make other significant alterations to the original composition.

Clearing derivative works is very difficult. The copyright owner can set any price, take all the time they want, and reject the permission altogether. For this reason, it’s important to temper expectations when making a derivative request. For help making a derivative request, check our our Custom Licensing services.

What is a cover song? A cover song is a new recording of a previously released song that someone else wrote. For example, if you record your band playing your version of a Bob Dylan or Cole Porter song, your new recording is called a "cover song" or "cover".

To release a cover song, you need permission from the copyright owner of the composition. This is usually the songwriter or their publisher. On your own, getting permission can be tricky.

Luckily, we make it easy to get 100% of the permission you need for your cover songs. Just pay our small fee plus the royalties and we handle everything else for you. You get proof of licensing in your email in just 1-2 business days.

What is a music license? A license is a formal agreement between the music owner and you that says it's okay for you to use their music. If you use music that other people created, you need to get a license.

What is an "interpolation"? Interpolation is when you use any portion of lyrics or melody from a copyrighted song that you did not write within an existing composition, original composition, or public domain song. For interpolations, our standard cover song licensing does not apply. Instead, Custom Licensing is required.

What is Fair Use? Fair Use is an exception in the copyright law that allows small portions of a work to be used without permission for nonprofit, news, educational, or parody purposes. The doctrine is "murky" and often misunderstood. To fall under fair use, only a small portion of the work may be used and the use must not affect the value or marketability of the work. Selling concert recordings or photocopying sheet music without permission would not fall under fair use. Check out the following links for more information on Fair Use.

What is Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? We have released a new digital rights management platform for publishers and copyright holders. Now, you can manage cover song requests from us online from your account at EasySongLicensing.com. Best of all, it's totally free. Ditch the paper today!

What is Public Domain? If a song’s music and lyrics were published before 1924 the song is in the Public Domain and does not require licensing (permission from the copyright owner) for any use. However, even Public Domain songs need to be licensed if you are playing from a copyrighted sheet music arrangement.

There is a lot of confusion over what is and is not in the Public Domain (free to use without permission). It is very important that you do the proper research to know - not guess - the Public Domain status of the song. Check out the Public Domain challenge below to see what we’re talking about. Did you score 100% on the first try? If not, consider getting help to determine the Public Domain status of your song.

Not sure of the Public Domain status of your song? Let us do free copyright research for you. If the song is Public Domain, we will confirm this. If not, we will help you clear the permission you need.

What is the International Database of Licensed Music (IDBLM)? The International Database of Licensed Music (IDBLM.org) is a site dedicated to transparency in music licensing. It provides a public record of licensed works and displays the proof of licensing obtained for each release. The goal is to reward artists that release music legally.

What is the licensing process? First, we ask you some questions about your project and about the songs you want to license. You can buy right away for the fastest delivery, or wait for us to research the copyright holders of the songs. You can pay online or over the phone with a credit card or PayPal. After we receive your payment, we follow the Compulsory Law to obtain your mechanical licenses for you. We deliver PDF Proof of Licensing in your email in 1-2 business days. This is what you keep on hand or give to your manufacturer as proof that you have done things legally. We help you submit your request to the copyright holder in the most efficient way, using our years of knowledge, and our proprietary request form. However, the copyright holder can set any price, or reject the license outright. For this reason, custom licensing is not guaranteed.

What is the Seal of Authenticity? The Seal of Authenticity is an image that goes on your album artwork or web page and links directly to your proof of licensing when clicked or scanned with a smartphone (using QR code technology). It indicates that music licensing has been obtained and verified, and can be viewed online at IDBLM.org (the International Database of Licensed Music). Artists display the seal with their music and merchandise, online and in print, to prove their music is licensed.

What is your contact info? For complete contact info, hours and more, please click the following link.

What is your refund policy? Our refund policy is available online here: http://www.easysonglicensing.com/Pages/About/RefundPolicy.aspx

What methods of payment do you accept? We accept all major credit cards and PayPal. If you want to send a check, make the check out to Legacy Productions Inc. and send to Legacy Productions, 2600 N 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55411

What types of coupons and discounts do you offer? We offer free research of your songs before or after you buy, volume discounts when you license multiple songs, half-price fees on exact reorders, and a 100% money back guarantee for Public Domain songs. From time to time, we offer coupons through email or through our Facebook page. Like us on Facebook for notifications and exclusive deals. We do not currently offer discounts for Custom Licensing, although this is something we might add in the future.

What types of uses do the licenses you clear for me allow? The Compulsory Mechanical License allows you to record your new version of an existing song that someone else wrote. It does not cover new recordings of existing recordings. Your release must be for personal, private use only (Selling your album is allowed under this license, but not for public performance, background track, or karaoke purposes. Only for private listening by the end user.) With Custom Licensing, you can request a license for any use. However, the copyright holder can set any price, or reject the license outright. For this reason, Custom Licensing is not guaranteed.

Where do I find arranger, composer, and publisher information on sheet music? What if I am playing by ear? You can find the song title, composer, arranger (if any), and publisher information on the first page of sheet music with music notes. The song title is at the top center. Composer and arranger information is smaller, positioned just below the title, aligned left and/or right. Publisher information is at the bottom center of the first page with music notes.

Sometimes, people confuse distributor information with publisher information. Note that distributor information often appears on the cover of the sheet music (no music notes, the two major distributors are Alfred and Hal Leonard), while publisher information is always at the bottom center of the first page with music notes. We need to know the publisher, not the distributor. Follow the link below to see an example.

If you have concerns, you can always leave the publisher information blank when submitting your songs. Our service includes a free copyright search to learn the current publisher or copyright owner, before or after you buy. Usually, all we need to license your song is the song title and name of a well-known artist that recorded the song. We can use that to start our free copyright owner search. The search is free, before or after you buy.

If you want, you can help us out by providing composer information as well. You can usually find composer information on Wikipedia. Try searching the song title followed by the word “song”. For example, a Wikipedia search for “Here Comes the Sun Song” tells us that George Harrison is the composer/writer. This information is helpful because it further confirms the exact song you want to use.

If we are unable to find your song, we might ask your for publisher information or lyrics. You can often find publisher information by browsing the sheet music scans available at SheetMusicPlus.com and MusicNotes.com. You can find lyrics at several popular lyric sites, or by Googling. Any information you find is helpful. You can email this information to us, or post it to your project wall.

If we are unable to find the song with the information you provide, we will ask if you have any other information that can help us locate the copyright owner, such as an address or phone number.

Where is Easy Song Licensing located? Easy Song Licensing
2600 N 2nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55411. Unquestionably, Minnesota is known for its winters. Yes, they are very cold. We take pride in our toughness to deal with the winters, but honestly, they're a pain for us too. The trick is to bundle up, keep your head down, and move quickly.

Spring in Minnesota is wet and cold. But that doesn't keep us from breaking out the short pants if the temperature rises above a balmy 50 degrees. Spring is a hopeful time, when people emerge from their caves and take to the trails.

Summer in Minnesota: if you simply compared the numbers of people you see to winter, you'd think the population grew 100 fold. Beautiful weather, incredible parks and trails, and people dying to get outside combine to create a friendly, cheerful community in the summer in Minnesota.

Fall in Minnesota looks a lot like Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings. The land blooms rich with fall colors and Minnesotans soak it all up by heading to the cabin, or up the North Shore (of Lake Superior).

Who can sign up for Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? If you work for a publisher, you self-publish, or you simply own the mechanical rights to a song, you can sign up. If you are not sure, please contact us.

Why get a music license? Even if you think you probably wouldn't get caught, there are five good reasons to get a license: 1) Confidence, 2) Reputation, 3) Karma, 4) Ethics, and 5) Example.

Why get the Seal of Authenticity? You wouldn't drive your car without a license plate. If you did, you would draw attention, regardless of your license status. The seal is like a license plate for your music. You've taken extra steps to be legal. Now show that off with pride. Impress fans, stand out from the crowd, and minimize scrutiny. PLUS you will enjoy fee-free reorders for life!

Why should I join Easy Song Licensing's Partner Program? Does your business spend too much time answering music licensing questions? Does your music service want to ensure the legality of user-added content? Do you have a large following of fans that need our help? Save time and make money. Send them our way for licensing help. They get the best customer service in the industry. You get paid every time we license their song.

Why should I sign up for Go Digital for publishers, songwriters, and copyright holders? If you manage copyrighted materials, you know how the paper can pile up. Managing that paper can be a mess. We created this platform to eliminate the mess, and make rights management easier than ever.

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