When you create a release, you describe each track in two fields: Track Origin and Track Properties. Your answers tell us whether a track needs a licence, and whether it can go to the UGC stores. Answer them accurately, because they help your release pass review first time.
Track Origin: where the song comes from
Track Origin is about the composition, the song itself (its publishing). Choose one option:
Original Work. The song is 100% original and contains no third-party material. Choose this for remixes too, and for covers whose lyrics you've translated, changed a lot or removed.
Cover Song. Your own recording of a song someone else wrote, with the melody and lyrics largely the same. Can I distribute a cover?
Public Domain & Traditional. Music whose copyright has expired, plus traditional songs and melodies and non-original religious music.
Track Properties: what's in the recording
Track Properties are about the recording, the master. Choose every option that applies, or say that none apply:
Remix: any remix, including sped-up, slowed-down, reverbed or pitch-shifted versions.
Samples or Stock: samples, royalty-free beats, or loops from a sample pack or music software.
Mix or Compilation: mashups, medleys, tracks in a DJ set or mix, and compilations.
Alternate Version: radio edits, extended or shortened versions, lo-fi, live or remastered versions.
Special Genre: white noise or sleep music, ambient or meditation, karaoke, or classical (older music such as Beethoven).
Non Musical Content: ASMR, sound effects, nature sounds, speech, spoken word, podcasts or radio shows.
Includes AI: music generated with artificial intelligence, in whole or in part. Can I release music made with AI?
What your answers mean for your release
Needs a licence: Cover Song and Remix. Have the licence or written permission ready before you submit.
Can't go to the UGC stores (YouTube Content ID, Facebook Rights Manager, Facebook Audio Library, TikTok and Snap):
Cover Song and Public Domain & Traditional
Remix, Samples or Stock, Mix or Compilation, Alternate Version, Special Genre and Non Musical Content
Includes AI, when the music was made with AI tools that don't disclose what they were trained on, currently including Suno, Udio and Mureka. Other AI-assisted music is reviewed case by case.
These stores only accept recordings you own exclusively and that sound unique, because they match your recording against other people's videos. A track that doesn't qualify can still go to Spotify, Apple Music and every other store. Which tracks can go to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snap?
Cover or remix?
A cover is a new performance of someone else's song. The melody and lyrics stay largely the same. It needs a mechanical licence for the song.
A remix changes an existing recording, for example its tempo, instruments or sounds. An official remix needs the rights holder's permission; an unofficial one needs a licence.
Changed lyrics: if you translate the lyrics or change them a lot, treat the track as a remix, choose Original Work, and get permission from the songwriter.
Need help?
Not sure which options to choose? Message us through the chat in The Artist Platform with your release title. We aim to reply within 1 business day.