How to Release a Cover Song Legally?
Thinking about releasing a cover of your favorite song? That’s awesome!
At Jumpstr, we’re happy to help you bring your version to life — but there are a few important things to keep in mind.
When Uploading a Cover Song:
When setting up your track, you’ll see a section asking about Songwriter Credits.
If it’s a cover, simply select:
Cover Version — "This song was written by another artist."
This tells stores that you’re not claiming to be the original songwriter, and helps avoid any issues later.
What You’re Allowed to Do:
Release a faithful cover version (your own recording of the original song).
Distribute your cover on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
List yourself properly as the performing artist, but not the original songwriter.
What You’re Not Allowed to Do:
Claim songwriting credit if you didn’t write the song.
Make major lyric changes without permission (if you change lyrics, it’s no longer a basic cover — it becomes a derivative work).
Add the original artist’s name into the song title.
(Just your version — Jumpstr formats it correctly for you.)
Quick Tip:
In some countries (like the U.S.), you might also need to obtain a mechanical license if your cover will be sold (e.g., downloads). For regular streaming releases, stores usually handle the licensing automatically.
Got questions about releasing a cover?
Our friendly team is here to help make your release smooth and safe!