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!