If you want to use someone else’s song, recording, or lyrics, you usually need their permission.
Copyright clearance is the process of getting that permission from the copyright owner.
Why do you need copyright clearance?
Music copyright protects creators (songwriters, composers, recording artists) so they can control how their work is used –
They have exclusive rights remember!
You need clearance when you:
1. Perform someone else’s song publicly
2. Cover or remix a song for release
3. Use music in a video, film, ad, or online
4. Sample part of another artist’s work in your song
Do I need permission to...
Perform covers?
You may need permission from the copyright owner. At school or a local gig, you might not — but releasing a cover on YouTube or Spotify usually requires permission.
Use Samples?
When you’re using samples, you have to get permission to use:
- the words and the music (from the songwriter/publisher)
- the recording (from the recording artist or record label)
COPYRIGHT CLEARANCE PROCESS
Some other things you may need permission to use
While this site focuses on music, copyright also covers other creative works beyond music like books, poems, art, film, and photography. As musicians, we sometimes use these works too – and they may also need permission.
Here are a few examples:
1. Artwork
Using someone else’s images for an album cover or website.
2. Music in Videos
For a music video, YouTube, TikTok, or social media.
3. Words
Using a poem, quote, or text written by someone else in your song.
4. Parts of another song
Copying a melody, lyrics, or any significant section.
