You need a license any time you’re using material that you didn’t fully create yourself, especially when it involves samples, cover songs, or remixes. Here’s how it works:

If you’re using samples from existing recordings, you generally need permission from the copyright holder, even if the clip is short or modified. This applies whether you’re sampling the actual sound recording or recreating elements of a copyrighted work. While some artists believe certain uses may qualify as “fair use,” that’s a complex legal defense and not something Unchained Music, or our DSP partners, will determine. If you're unsure, you should consult a legal expert. To distribute with us, you must upload full documentation about any sample use at the time of submission.

If you’re releasing a cover song, you typically need a mechanical license. This license gives you the legal right to reproduce and distribute your version. You are responsible for securing this license before distributing the track, and you must confirm that it's in place when you submit the release. You may not use the original sound recording if you are distributing a cover song without a master use license.

When it comes to remixes, the requirements are even stricter. You need permission from the owner or administrator of the original composition and, if you’re using the original recording, from the master rights holder as well. That usually means obtaining both a mechanical license and a master use license. If your remix includes samples from the original, those must also be cleared separately.

Unchained Music requires that any use of third-party material be fully disclosed during the distribution process. If proper licenses are not submitted with your release, your track may be rejected or taken down and a copyright strike may be assigned to your account. For more details on what’s allowed, please review our Content Policy before uploading.

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