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You can release music with samples, covers and features on AMM Distro, as long as you have permission for everything in it. Samples are fine. Uncleared samples aren’t. Covers must credit the original song’s writers.

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Samples

We review every release for sample use, and we can’t put out anything we know isn’t cleared.
  • Cleared samples are fine. Get written permission for both the recording you sampled and the song it comes from.
  • Royalty-free sample packs are fine within the pack’s license. Keep a copy of the license.
  • Uncleared samples can get a release rejected or taken down, and can lead to a copyright claim and a strike on your account. Uncleared samples can also lower how many of your releases we approve.
If you have a sample you haven’t cleared, talk to your manager or support before you submit. We can help you work on clearance or find another way to release the song.

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Content ID and social platforms

Delivering a track to TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, YouTube Content ID or SoundCloud lets those platforms match and pay you for videos that use your audio. To opt in, you confirm I hold exclusive rights to this recording and every sample in it. Uncleared samples get claims reversed and can put the account at risk. For YouTube Content ID you confirm a second time, because a wrong claim is reversed and counts against the account. If your track has uncleared samples or non-exclusive beats, choose Don’t distribute for Content ID & social.

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Covers

A cover is a new recording of someone else’s song. In the release builder, each track has an Original | Cover switch.
  1. Set the track to Cover.
  2. Link the original song. You can paste its Spotify link to bring in the original writers’ credits.
  3. Check the writers are correct. A cover’s writers are the original song’s writers.
When you release a cover:
  • Record it yourself. Don’t use the original recording.
  • Don’t change the lyrics or melody. Changing them makes it a new work that needs the writers’ permission.
  • Credit the original writers and publishers accurately.
  • Make sure you have the right to release the song in the countries you choose, such as a mechanical license in the US.
Use the Cover setting too for interpolations or songs that use a melody or lyric from another song.

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Beats and producers

If you bought or leased a beat, check the license allows commercial release on streaming services, and whether it’s exclusive. Many non-exclusive beat licenses don’t allow Content ID. Keep your license, as you may need it if there’s a claim. To pay a producer or featured artist a share, use a collaborator agreement or a royalty split on the release.

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Remixes

A remix of someone else’s track needs written permission from the owners of the original. If a title or version says “remix”, the release must credit someone as Remixer.

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Common questions

No. AMM Distro doesn’t require it. Keep your project files and drafts, which help show the song is yours if there’s ever a dispute.

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Can I release a song that’s in the public domain?

A public domain composition can be recorded freely, but recordings of it usually aren’t public domain. Record your own version, and contact support before you submit if you’re unsure.

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Someone claimed my sample even though I cleared it

Respond to the claim on the DMCA cases page and upload your clearance as evidence. See Copyright claims and counter-notices. Related: Copyright claims and counter-notices · Who owns my music? · Split royalties with collaborators · Can I release AI-generated music?