Cover Song Distribution Guidelines

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Please adhere to the following requirements when submitting a cover song in Whole Story (WS) to ensure successful delivery to Digital Service Providers (DSPs).

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Understanding Cover Songs

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What is a Cover Song?

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A cover song is a new performance or recording of a previously recorded song by someone other than the original artist. When you record a cover, you are creating a new sound recording of an existing musical composition.

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Key Rights Involved

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Composition Rights (Publishing)

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• Owned by the songwriter/composer
• Requires a mechanical license
• Managed through licensing organizations

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Sound Recording Rights (Master)

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• You own your new recording
• The original artist owns their original recording

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1. Whole Story Setup

• Mark as Cover: On the track page, you must select "Yes" next to the Cover option.

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2. Title Formatting

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General Rule

The title must match the original work exactly. You cannot add extra words, artists, or descriptors to the track title.

This rule applies differently to the Album/EP title and the individual track titles.

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2.1 Album / EP Title

• The Rule: You have creative freedom.
• What it means: When naming the entire collection (Album or EP), you may add descriptive words, genres, or themes.
• Example:
  • The Shape of You: Hoodtrap Version
  • The Shape of You: Techno

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2.2 Track Title

• The Rule: You must be strict and exact.
• What it means: The track title must match the original song title word-for-word.
• You cannot add:
  • Cover
  • Version
  • Remix
  • Genre descriptors
• Why: DSPs (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) require the exact title to correctly pay royalties to the original songwriter. Adding words like Remix also turns the track into a derivative work, which changes licensing requirements.

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Album vs Track Title Examples

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How to Name Covers Correctly

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Album Title
Ed Sheeran – Shape of You (Hoodtrap) — YES ✅
You are allowed to add genres, styles, or descriptors in the album or EP title.

Track 1
Shape of You — YES ✅
The track title matches the original song exactly, which is required.

Track 1
Shape of You (Hoodtrap Remix) — NO ❌
Adding words like Remix or style descriptors in the track title is not allowed. This turns the song into a derivative work and causes licensing issues.

Track 2
Perfect — YES ✅
Exact original title with no added words — this is correct.

Track 2
Perfect (Cover Version) — NO ❌
You cannot add labels such as Cover, Version, or similar descriptors to the track title.

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Simple Rule to Remember

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• Album / EP title: Creative freedom ✅
• Track title: Must be word-for-word identical to the original song ❗

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3. Credits & Copyright

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• Songwriters:
  • Credit all original songwriters only
  • Do not credit the performing artist or producer as songwriter
• Publishers:
  • List the original publisher(s) in the metadata
• P-Line (℗ Phonographic Copyright):
  • List the master owner (Your Label)
• C-Line (© Composition Copyright):
  • List the original owner of the composition (usually the original publisher or songwriter)

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4. Licensing Requirements

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• Streaming Platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.):
  • No additional license required
• Download Stores (iTunes, Amazon, etc.):
  • A Mechanical License is mandatory
  • If you do not have this license, do not deliver to download stores

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5. Creative Restrictions

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• No Mashups:
  • You cannot combine two songs
  • Titles containing "X" (e.g., Song A X Song B) will be rejected
• Creative Integrity:
  • You must maintain the lyrics, melody, and overall structure of the original song

Allowed:

• Slight structural changes (e.g., starting with the chorus)

Prohibited:

• Changing lyrics or melody
• Sampling only a fragment of the song
• Looping a single verse or section repeatedly
• Major structural alterations
• First Right of Release:
  • The original song must already be commercially released on DSPs
  • You cannot release a cover of an unreleased song

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Extra Q & A

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Q1: Does the cover need to be the exact same length as the original?

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No. Timing is not important. BPM can differ, instrumental intros/outros can be removed, and the song can start from a different section (e.g., chorus first), as long as all lyrics and core structure are included.

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Q2: How close must an instrumental cover be to the original arrangement?

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Looping is generally not allowed. Minor additions like a double chorus at the end are acceptable. Repeating the same section continuously is considered composition infringement.

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Q3: Are slowed/sped-up or remix covers allowed?

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• Remixes: Strictly prohibited unless you have a valid remix license from the copyright owner
• Slowed/Sped-up Covers:
  • Allowed only if the regular-speed version has also been distributed
  • These versions may still be flagged by platforms like TikTok, Meta, or Apple
  • Delivery is at the client’s own risk

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