This Mechanical Licensing and Cover Song Addendum (the "Addendum") establishes the legal requirements, financial responsibilities, and metadata guidelines for distributing cover songs through DistroVibe.
Binding Addendum
By distributing a recording of a composition you did not originally write, you agree to the terms set forth in this rights-management framework.
1. Understanding Dual Copyrights
Every music licensing arrangement rests on a distinction between two independent copyrights that must be cleared separately for each use of the work.
Represents the actual audio recording of the performance. This is generally what you own as the artist or label.
Represents the underlying melody, chords, and lyrics written by the original songwriter.
2. Mechanical Licenses & Your Responsibilities
Definition & Scope
A Mechanical License permits the reproduction and distribution of copyrighted compositions in audio formats. This is required when a song is covered by someone other than the original songwriter.
Artist Liability
DistroVibe does not automatically secure licenses for digital downloads or physical sales. You bear the legal responsibility to secure a license prior to uploading.
YouTube Content ID enrollment for cover songs is not permitted without a separate Sync License.
3. Regional Mechanical Rights Organizations (MROs)
The administration of digital mechanical royalties often varies by territory and is governed by regional Mechanical Rights Organizations.
Major DSPs often operate under blanket licenses administered by territory-specific MROs (such as The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) in the United States).
Regional blanket licenses generally apply only to interactive streaming within that territory. International streaming and global downloads require independent licensing and compliance.
4. Controlled Compositions (Original Music)
Original Metadata
If you wrote the music yourself, it is a "Controlled Composition." You grant DistroVibe and its partners the right to issue administrative mechanical licenses to ensure your royalties are collected and passed through to your wallet globally.
5. Visual Identity and Metadata Restrictions
To prevent copyright claims and algorithmic fraud, we enforce standards for cover art and metadata formatting.
Cover art must not impersonate the original artist or use their logos, likeness, or official branding without authorization.
Release art must be 3000x3000px, sRGB. Titles must not include the original artist's name; original composers must be credited only in the writer fields.
6. Indemnification
Zero Tolerance for Infringement
You represent and warrant that all necessary permissions have been obtained. You agree to full financial liability for any damage, legal fee, or revenue seizure resulting from copyright infringement claims.
7. DSP Penalties and Global Takedowns
DistroVibe reserves the right to issue a global takedown of any track at any time if licensing terms are violated. Artificial streaming penalties (e.g. €10.00/track) apply to cover songs in the same manner as original releases.
Global Rights Clearance DV-2026