Can I Upload Cover Songs?

Sure, with some exceptions.

Here are some examples of songs that may be licensed:

* A track that was once available on iTunes or Amazon MP3.
* A song that was found on a limited printed vinyl, which you can buy at a record store in the United States.
* A track that was provided as a promotional music download on the artist's website.

On the other hand, the following songs may NOT be licensed:

* A song that featured in a movie score, but was not separately released from the soundtrack.
* A song that appeared in a video game, but was not released separately from the game's soundtrack.
* A song that was released as part of a CD compilation, but only in a foreign country outside the United States.
* An old traditional song that has since entered public domain.
* Medleys, mashups, etc.

A 'cover song' is a track you've performed & recorded yourself, but was written by someone else, such as your band playing "Smooth Criminal" (Written by Michael Jackson). Jumpstr makes it easy and legal to sell cover songs.

Jumpstr will obtain the necessary compulsory mechanical license for you. The mandated fee will be automatically deducted from your earnings and paid to the original songwriter. The remaining revenue is all yours, no extra steps needed.

You need to purchase a Jumpstr cover license each time you upload a cover song. For instance, uploading the same cover song twice requires two licenses. This ensures proper deduction of the songwriter's share from your earnings for both uploads. Also, Jumpstr licenses only apply to directly distributed content and aren't valid for other uses beyond Jumpstr.

It's your duty to ascertain that your song is covered under the mechanical license.

We're not legal advisors. However, be notified that U.S. copyright law doesn't allow derivative works like original-language translations of copyrighted lyrics. U.S. copyright law, only allows the cover ("compulsory") licenses if the key elements of the song, i.e, original lyrics & melody, remain essentially unaltered in the new recording. This is a copyright requirement applied to all distributors, not just Jumpstr.