Mechanical Licensing 101: Artist’s Guide While there are a number of relevant licenses necessary when releasing music, this piece explores one of the most common – the mechanical license – and what exactly artists need to know about it. Guest post by [ Editors Note: This article was written by y Justin M. Jacobson, Esq.] There are a variety of relevant and appropriate licenses required when releasing a song within the music industry. This article explores one of the most commonly acquired licenses, the mechanical license. This type of license (the right or permission to do something) is necessary when initially releasing an original musical work as well as when an individual commercially releases a “cover” of an existing song. A mechanical license and the corresponding mechanical royalty that it imposes are explored below.