Can anyone record a cover of a song I put on SoundCloud?
<p>My friend asked me if he could record a cover of a song that I put on <a href="https://soundcloud.com" rel="nofollow">SoundCloud</a> called <a href="https://soundcloud.com/mattdipasquale/gratitude" rel="nofollow">Gratitude</a> (License: All Rights Reserved).</p>

<ol>
<li><p>What legal rights does my friend have? Does he need my permission?</p></li>
<li><p>What benefits, compensations, acknowledgements, etc. am I legally entitled to? Does my friend have to pay me mechanical royalties if, e.g., he publishes his version of the song to SoundCloud such that anyone can listen to it for free?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>In the United States, when you distribute a recording of a nondramatic musical work, the law grants a compulsory mechanical license allowing anyone to cover the song provided certain formalities are observed, and royalties are paid to the original artist. See 17 U.S.C. sec. 115.</p>

<p>If your song falls under this section, then all that is required for your friend to cover it is to give you notice and to pay royalties as provided by the applicable statutes and regulations.</p>

<p>Of course, you are free to negotiate other terms if you want to. But your song can be covered even if you don't.</p>

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