What is the Process for Establishing a Compulsory Cover License?
Getting a compulsory cover license is four step process that includes the following: • Identify the holder of the musical composition copyright of the song to be recorded: This can be done by personally searching the records of the U.S. Copyright Office. The Copyright Office can also conduct the search for a nominal fee. • Send a â¿¿Notice of Intent to Obtain a Compulsory Licenseâ¿ý form to the copyright owner 30 days before sale of the cover song: This notice tells the copyright holder that you will be selling a cover version of their work, formally establishing a compulsory cover license. Note that a separate letter must be used for each song, even if itâ¿¿s the same artist. • Make royalty payments, with accompanying account statements, on or before the 20th of each month • File an annual statement of total sales of the recording, certified by a public accountant It is important to emphasize that a compulsory cover license does not require any action on the part of the copyright owne
