Watch: Sally Coleman gives the 101 on remixing
A remix is a new song that uses parts or samples of a previously recorded song.
Anyone can create a remix, but if you want to commercially release the track you’ll need permission in writing.
A remix is a new sound recording that includes parts or samples of a previously recorded track. The samples might be altered, edited, or reworked to sound different to the original song. A remix often includes new material by the remix artist too.
Remixes are commonly commissioned for a fee. Remixes are commissioned for several different reasons –to target a different market (e.g. a club remix of a commercial track to play in nightclubs), to extend the marketing campaign of a release by having other artists remix it- and more. Anyone can create a remix of a work at any time. However, if you want to release the remix, you’ll need to get permission.
If you plan to commercially release the remix – you need written permission from the other copyright owners involved.
There are two copyrights you’ll need to clear to commercially release a remix:
We can help you contact the copyright owners of the musical work. These will be songwriters and/or music publishers.
To find out the sound recording copyright ownership details, contact ARIA for more information.
This same process applies for when you sample someone else’s recorded work. To learn more about sampling, check out our SAMPLING page.
Note - Having permission to release a remix won’t necessarily entitle you to register the remix with APRA AMCOS and claim songwriter royalties.
You need written permission from the original songwriters or their publishers to claim a share of songwriter royalties on your remix. You can’t register your remix with us unless you can show that you’ve got permission from everyone involved.
Very often the owner of the original song will provide permission for your remix to be commercially released so long as they retain the copyright and songwriter royalties in the remix. In this instance, the royalties for the remix will be paid to the songwriter and music publisher of the original song.
If permission is granted for you to claim a percentage of royalties for your remix, email us a copy of this permission along with your remix registration details. You should also provide the remix recording ISRC to the copyright owners so that they can add this remix to existing work registration.
To find out more, come along to our upcoming Insights webinar: Performing and Releasing Other People’s Music on 17 April
See also: Our guide to co-writing splits and registering your works
How to get paid as a dance and electronic writer
Learn more about music copyright with our piece Nine music copyright tips with Arts Law
We've got them answered.
Can I claim royalties for a remix?
You may have been given permission to create and release a remix but this does not necessarily entitle you to register the remix with APRA AMCOS and claim royalties.
It is quite common for the owner of the original song to provide permission for your remix to be commercially released so long as they retain the copyright in the remix. In this instance, the royalties for the remix will be paid to the songwriter and music publisher of the original song.
If you wish to claim a share of royalties for your remix, you will always need to obtain the written permission from the owners of the original song. The original owners may be songwriters, music publishers or both. If permission is granted for you to claim a percentage of royalties for your remix, you should email us a copy of this permission along with your remix registration details.
How do I obtain permission to release a remix commercially?
You usually need to clear both of the following copyrights to commercially release a remix:
We can help you contact the copyright owners of the musical work. These will be songwriters and/or music publishers.
To find out the sound recording copyright ownership details, please contact ARIA for more information.
What do I need to know before I release a remix I created, but that I don't have permission to claim copyright for?
Anyone can create a remix of a work at any time. However, if you wish to claim a royalty on your remix or you plan to release your remix commercially, you must always gain written permission from the original copyright owners of the composition and the sound recording.
If a remix does not include additional original composition, and the song has had a previous commercial release, it may be that the making of the remix is covered by the statutory mechanical licence provisions of the Copyright Act. In this case, separate additional clearances from the owners of the musical work are not required to create the remix so long as the physical or digital release of the recording is licensed by the copyright owners, and you have permission from the owner of the original sound recordings.
If you have not been granted permission to claim copyright in your remix but you intend to release your own CDs, provide digital downloads or streams, you should contact us for the necessary licences for the reproduction (and communication where applicable) of the original song.
If in doubt whether the statutory mechanical licence provisions apply to your remix, you should seek independent legal advice.
What is a remix?
A remix is a sound recording that has been altered, edited or otherwise reworked to sound different from the original song. A remix typically features some parts or samples of the original recording (even if these samples are altered in any way) together with new material composed by the remixer.
Remixes are commissioned for a number of different reasons. This may be to target a different market e.g. a club remix of a commercial release for DJs to play in nightclubs, a radio friendly remix of a club track for commercial airplay, or even as a launch tool for an up-and-coming artist.
What's the difference between a remix and a cover?
A cover is a performance or new recording of a song that was written and previously performed by someone else. It does not involve any significant changes to the underlying musical work.
A remix is a new song that uses parts or samples of a previously written song. It may also contain new material composed by the remix artist.
When can I register a remix with APRA AMCOS?
You can register a remix with us after you've obtained written permission from the owners of the original song, and if the remix is original enough to be considered a new musical work. The original owners may be songwriters, music publishers or both.
Before registering the remix, ensure that all owners involved in the remix (including original songwriters, music publishers and remixers) agree to the remix ownership details that you will be supplying to APRA AMCOS. If the copyright owner of the original song does not grant permission for you to claim royalties for your remix, you will not be able to register your remix with us.
Once you have obtained permission and all copyright owners agree on the ownership details, email us a copy of this permission, along with your remix registration details.
You should provide the original copyright owners with details of the ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) and any new performers associated with your remix so that this can be added to the existing APRA AMCOS work registration.
Please be aware that you cannot register or claim APRA AMCOS royalties for cover songs. The royalties for cover songs are paid to the original songwriters and music publishers.