The following information is regarding TuneCore's Publishing Administration service
Yes, only if you have obtained the proper license for your use. This can include a mechanical license, sample license or a beat license. In most instances you are required to contact the original publisher, or copyright holder, to be granted use of the copyrighted work. See below for the different considerations:
- Mechanical License
- This needs to be requested when you are covering a work or re-recording and distributing someone else’s copyright. You can obtain the pertinent license via tunelicense.com.
- In order to research who controls the original composition rights, you can use the public repertories at songfile.com, songdex.com or the public repertory of ASCAP or BMI.
- Sample License
- Depending on whether you interpolate/re-record or sample the actually recording of the another composition you may need to procure a sample license from both the master owner and owner/publisher of the composition.
- If you re-record, you only need a sample license for the composition which you would clear from the original publisher(s).
- In order to research who controls the original composition the rights you can use the public repertories at HFA, SongDex or the public repertory of ASCAP or BMI.
- Beat Licenses
- Beats licensed from platforms such as BeatStars, Airbit and Soundee may be eligible for publishing administration.
- We strongly advise that you check the terms of the license agreement and distinguish whether the license is exclusive or non-exclusive.
- Certain licenses enforce usage restrictions on term, number of plays, views and streams. Copyright ownership will likely need to be credited to the original publisher.
- Royalty Free Sample Loops
- Generally speaking, writers are free to register a work containing a copyright-free sample or loop from platforms such as Splice, Logic and Garage Band etc.
- We strongly advise writers to consult the terms and conditions of the specific platform from which they are taking a sample before doing so.
Writers are unable to register a stand alone loop or sample as an original and individual song. The loop must be contained as part of a new song.