Cover Song Distribution India: Legal Guide for Artists (2026)

You see a cover artist on Instagram blow up with 5 million views on a Bollywood unplugged version. Their Spotify streams are exploding. They are getting paid. So you record your own beautiful acoustic cover of “Tum Hi Ho” and try to upload it to Spotify.

Two days later, your song is taken down. A copyright claim has been filed. You receive a warning email. Worse, if you keep doing this, your entire distributor account can be terminated and your other songs removed.

Welcome to the most misunderstood area of Indian music distribution: cover songs. They are everywhere on YouTube and Instagram, but the rules for streaming distribution are completely different. Let us cover (pun intended) exactly what is legal, what is not, and how to release covers properly.

What Counts as a Cover Song?

Legally speaking, a cover song is a new recording of a previously released musical composition. The composition (melody + lyrics) is the same, but you are creating a new sound recording of it.

This includes:

• Unplugged / acoustic versions of Bollywood or Indi-pop songs
• Instrumental covers : piano, guitar, sitar versions of existing songs
• Electronic / EDM remakes of older tracks
• Live recording sessions of someone else’s song
• Karaoke-style sing-alongs uploaded as your own track
• Translated versions : a Hindi version of an English song with the same melody
• Mash-ups and medleys that include portions of existing copyrighted songs

Important distinction: A cover uses the SAME composition as the original. Just performed differently. If you write your own song that sounds similar to another song, that is original music means not a cover. Covers are explicitly performances of existing copyrighted compositions.

Cover Song vs Original Song: Why It Matters Legally

This is exactly why understanding the difference between composition and recording rights matters. A topic we covered in detail in our music royalties explained guide.

Section 31C of the Indian Copyright Act : The Cover Version Rule

In 2012, the Indian government amended the Copyright Act, 1957 to add Section 31C : the statutory licensing provision for cover versions. This section is the legal foundation for releasing covers in India.

What Section 31C Allows

Section 31C provides a statutory license : meaning the original copyright holder cannot refuse you, as long as you follow the rules. This is different from a voluntary license, where the publisher can simply say no.

The 5 Conditions of Section 31C

1. 5-year wait period: The original sound recording must have been released at least 5 years before you make your cover.
2. Prior notice: You must give written notice to the copyright owner of your intent to make and distribute the cover.
3. Royalty payment: You must pay royalties at rates fixed by the Copyright Board (not negotiable : these are fixed statutory rates).
4. Faithful reproduction: You can change the arrangement, instrumentation, and style : but the lyrics and basic composition must remain the same.
5. Distinct labelling: Your cover must be clearly marked as a cover version, not as the original. The original artist’s name should not be used in a way that suggests they performed your version.

The key advantage: Once you meet these 5 conditions, the original copyright holder MUST allow your cover. They cannot refuse. This is what makes Section 31C powerful for independent artists : it removes the gatekeeper problem.

What Section 31C Does NOT Cover

• Songs less than 5 years old : you need a voluntary license, which the publisher can refuse
• Lyric changes : if you modify the lyrics, you need separate permission as it becomes a derivative work
• Translations into other languages : these are derivative works requiring direct negotiation
• Sync usage in videos : Section 31C is for audio distribution only; video covers need separate sync rights
• Compilations and medleys : combining multiple songs requires multiple separate licenses

Major Indian Music Publishers for Cover Licensing

Most popular Hindi songs in India are owned by a small number of music publishers. To get a cover license, you need to identify the right publisher first:

How to identify the publisher: Search for the song on JioSaavn, Spotify, or YouTube Music. The label name appears in the song details. Check the official music video on YouTube i.e.  the channel uploading it (T-Series, Zee Music, etc.) is usually the rights holder. You can also check the Copyright Office records for the song’s registration.

Step-by-Step: How to Legally Release a Cover Song in India

Step 1: Verify the Song Is Eligible Under Section 31C

Check that the original song was first released at least 5 years ago. A song from 2020 cannot be covered under Section 31C until 2025. A song from 2018 is eligible in 2026. If your target song is too new, you cannot use the statutory license route.

Step 2: Identify the Copyright Owner

Find out which publisher owns the song. For Bollywood songs, check the music video on YouTube i.e. the channel that uploaded the official version is usually the rights holder. For older songs, check Saregama (which owns HMV catalogue) or contact IPRS for ownership info.

Step 3: Send Prior Notice to the Copyright Owner

Section 31C requires you to give written notice before making your cover. Your notice should include:

• Title of the original song you want to cover
• Name of the original artist and copyright owner
• Your name and contact details
• Description of your cover : what changes (genre, language, style)
• Intended distribution platforms (Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Music, etc.)
• Number of copies you intend to make (in digital terms, often “unlimited streaming”)

Send this notice via email or registered post to the publisher’s licensing department. Keep proof of delivery.

Step 4: Pay the Statutory Royalty

The Copyright Board sets statutory royalty rates for cover versions. These are typically a small percentage of the cover song’s revenue often 2.5–7% of streaming revenue depending on the publisher’s terms. You must pay this royalty regardless of whether your cover earns money or not.

In practice, many cover artists work with intermediaries (licensing agencies, distributors with publisher relationships) who handle the royalty payment process and provide the necessary paperwork.

Step 5: Record and Distribute

Once your notice is acknowledged and royalty arrangement is set up, you can record your cover and distribute it. Make sure your cover credits the original songwriter and composer in the metadata. Your distributor will require proof of licensing during upload.

Step 6: Use a Cover-Friendly Distributor

Not all distributors accept cover songs. Some refuse to distribute covers at all, others require proof of license before accepting. The Black Turn handles cover song distribution for licensed covers you provide the licensing documentation, they distribute your song to all platforms.

For the general distribution process (which applies to both originals and covers), see our music distribution guide for India.

YouTube Covers vs Streaming Covers : Different Rules

This is where artists get confused. The legal framework for YouTube cover videos is completely different from streaming distribution covers.

This is why many cover artists are huge on YouTube but absent from Spotify because the YouTube model is much more accessible because of Content ID. Read more about how Content ID works in our YouTube Content ID guide.

Common misconception: “If I can put my cover on YouTube without paying, I can put it on Spotify too.” This is FALSE. YouTube’s Content ID is a workaround, not a license. Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, and other streaming platforms require proper licensing upfront. Uploading unlicensed covers to streaming platforms is a clear violation.

8 Things You Must NEVER Do With Covers

1. Distribute without verifying license

Even if your cover sounds amateur or has only 100 listens, distributing without a license is copyright infringement. The penalty does not depend on revenue — it depends on whether you had permission. Always have documentation before distributing.

2. Change the lyrics significantly

A mechanical license covers “faithful reproduction.” Adding your own verses, changing the chorus, or rewriting lyrics creates a derivative work which requires separate permission far harder to obtain. Many publishers refuse derivative work licenses entirely.

3. Translate into another language without permission

Translating an English song into Hindi (or vice versa) is a derivative work, not a cover. Even if the melody is identical, the lyrics in a different language constitute new authorship rights that need separate licensing.

4. Use the original artist’s name in a misleading way

Your cover cannot be uploaded with the original artist’s name as the primary artist. “Arijit Singh – Tum Hi Ho Cover” is misleading. Use “Your Name – Tum Hi Ho (Cover)” format instead. Misleading attribution is a separate trademark/passing-off issue.

5. Use the original artwork

The original song’s cover art is separately copyrighted. Using it for your cover is image copyright infringement on top of music infringement. Create your own original cover artwork. Never use stills from the original music video either.

6. Cover a song less than 5 years old without voluntary license

Section 31C’s statutory license only kicks in after 5 years. For newer songs, you need direct permission – which most publishers refuse to protect their commercial release. Trying to use Section 31C for a 2024 song will fail.

7. Combine multiple songs into a medley without licensing each one

A 6-song mashup needs 6 separate licenses, one for each composition. Many YouTube mashup creators get away with Content ID, but distributing a mashup to streaming platforms requires explicit licenses for every song included.

8. Assume “non-commercial” use is exempt

There is no “fair use for personal use” exemption for distributing covers in India. The moment your cover is publicly available on streaming platforms, it is commercial use – even if you do not earn money. The act of distribution is what triggers the licensing requirement.

How Much Can You Earn from a Licensed Cover?

Cover song earnings work differently from original song earnings:

Realistic example: Your acoustic cover of “Kabira” gets 1 lakh Spotify streams from Indian listeners. Gross royalty: ~₹20,000. Statutory royalty paid to publisher: ~₹1,400. Distributor commission (5%): ~₹930. Your net earning: ~₹17,670.

Compared to Spotify’s per-stream earnings for original songs, covers earn slightly less per stream because of the statutory royalty. But the upside is access to existing audience demand – popular songs already have fans actively searching for them.

Can Cover Songs Be Distributed as Caller Tunes?

Yes – but only with proper licensing in place. Telecom operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL) require all CRBT submissions to include rights documentation. If you have a valid mechanical license for your cover, your distributor can submit it to caller tune networks along with the music distribution.

Cover caller tunes can actually perform very well – nostalgic Bollywood covers and devotional covers are some of the most popular caller tune categories on Indian networks. The combination of audience familiarity with the original + your fresh interpretation often drives strong CRBT downloads.

Best Practices for Cover Artists in India

1. Mix covers with original music

Pure cover artists face two problems: ongoing licensing costs and dependency on someone else’s catalogue. The most successful cover artists release a mix of covers and originals, covers attract audience, originals build long-term value. Aim for 60% covers / 40% originals as you grow.

2. Build relationships with publishers

If you regularly cover songs from one publisher (say T-Series), reach out to their licensing department professionally. Establish a working relationship. Many publishers offer bulk licensing arrangements for serial cover artists, simplifying ongoing releases.

3. Pick songs strategically

Cover older songs (5+ years) where Section 31C applies for easier licensing. Look for songs with strong nostalgic appeal but underused cover potential. Avoid covering recently released hit songs . The licensing complexity rarely justifies the limited window of opportunity.

4. Always credit properly

In your song metadata and descriptions, clearly credit: original songwriter, original composer, original artist, and original publisher. This is both a legal requirement and a courtesy that distinguishes professional cover artists from infringers.

5. Use professional licensing services

Services like Music Rights Management India (MRM), Saregama Business, and similar agencies specialise in helping artists obtain cover licenses. Their fees are reasonable and they save you weeks of back-and-forth with publishers. For artists planning multiple covers, this is a worthwhile investment.

International Distribution of Indian Covers

If you plan to distribute your Indian cover internationally (US, UK, Europe), additional licensing requirements apply:

• United States: Mechanical licensing in the US is handled by HFA (Harry Fox Agency) through their Songfile service. Many distributors include this automatically.
• United Kingdom and Europe: Each country has its own collection society. Most are covered through your distributor’s international arrangements.
• Worldwide: Some distributors offer worldwide cover licensing through services like Easy Song Licensing or Loudr (now part of Spotify).

Your distributor handles most of these international complexities, but verify before global distribution. Some Indian publishers grant Section 31C licenses for India-only distribution, requiring separate paperwork for international markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I distribute a cover song on Spotify and JioSaavn legally?

Yes, but only with a valid mechanical license under Section 31C of the Copyright Act, 1957. You must obtain a license from the publisher (T-Series, Saregama, etc.), pay the prescribed royalty, and follow all conditions. Distribute through The Black Turn with proper licensing documentation.

How do I get a mechanical license for a Bollywood cover?

Identify the publisher (T-Series, Saregama, Zee Music, Tips, Times Music). Contact their licensing department. Pay the prescribed royalty. Get written permission. Or use intermediary licensing services that handle the process.

What is Section 31C of the Indian Copyright Act?

Statutory licensing provision allowing artists to legally make cover versions of songs released at least 5 years ago. Requires prior notice, royalty payment at fixed rates, and faithful reproduction without altering lyrics or composition.

Do I need a license for YouTube covers?

Technically yes, but YouTube’s Content ID handles most cases automatically. Ad revenue goes to the original copyright holder. You can upload immediately, but you do not earn full ad revenue. For streaming platforms, full mechanical licensing is required upfront.

What happens if I distribute a cover without a license?

Three consequences: takedown by streaming platforms, royalty claims by the publisher, and potential legal action under Section 63 of the Copyright Act with up to ₹2 lakh fine and 3 years imprisonment for serious cases.

Can I change the lyrics in my cover?

No, not under a standard mechanical license. Changing lyrics creates a derivative work requiring separate permission. This is much harder to obtain and many publishers refuse it.

Can I cover a song less than 5 years old?

Section 31C’s statutory license requires a 5-year wait. For newer songs, you need a voluntary license, which the publisher can refuse. Most publishers refuse to protect their original release’s commercial potential.

Are unplugged, instrumental, and acoustic covers treated the same?

Yes. Any new recording of an existing composition requires a mechanical license, regardless of format. Even instrumental versions need licensing because the underlying composition is copyrighted.

Release Covers Legally and Earn Without Risk

Cover songs are a powerful way to grow your audience by tapping into existing demand for popular music. Done legally, they generate real revenue and build your name. Done illegally, they get your account terminated and can lead to lawsuits.

The legal path takes more effort upfront identifying publishers, sending notices, paying royalties but it protects your career and earnings long-term. There is no shortcut around the licensing process for streaming distribution. The 5-year rule, the publisher contact, the royalty payment all of it is non-negotiable.

Once you have your license documentation ready, distribute your cover through The Black Turn to all major platforms (Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Music, YouTube Music, 150+ platforms) along with caller tune distribution. One-time payment, 95% royalties, and proper handling of cover song requirements with publishers.

Cover karna hai? Pehle license, phir distribute. Ye order kabhi reverse mat karna.