Why “Royalty-Free” Samples Might Cost You Everything
- Yvonne Claro
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
By Yvonne Claro
Why “Royalty-Free” Samples Might Cost You Everything
Let’s clear something up right now: just because a sample is labeled royalty-free doesn’t mean you’re free from responsibility. Or liability. Or lawsuits.
We work with a lot of independent artists and producers who find a loop online, throw it into a track, and think they’re in the clear. But unless you fully understand what you're using—and who owns it—you’re putting your entire release and future earnings at serious risk. Sampling, even just a few seconds, can and will get you into legal hot water if it’s not handled properly.
The Myth of the “Royalty-Free” Sample
The term royalty-free doesn’t mean copyright-free. In many cases, it just means you don’t owe ongoing royalties for using the sound as-is. But here's the kicker—if the original creator reused or lifted a portion from another copyrighted work (intentionally or not), and you put it in your track, you could be held liable for copyright infringement.
Sound paranoid? It’s not. Just ask Believe/TuneCore, who are currently facing a $500 million lawsuit from Universal Music Group (UMG), alongside ABKCO and Concord Music Group. The suit alleges that Believe and TuneCore have engaged in “industrial-scale” copyright infringement by distributing music that samples or uses copyrighted UMG-owned material without proper licensing. It doesn’t matter if it was a few seconds or deeply altered. If it came from copyrighted material, and you didn’t license it, you're exposed.
So… Can You Use Samples in Your Music?
Yes. But there’s a right way to do it.
To legally release music with samples, you need two clearances:
Master Use License – from the rights holder of the actual recording (usually a label).
Publishing Clearance – from the writer(s) and publisher(s) of the composition.
Without both, you don’t have permission. It’s that simple.
At Cage Riot, our Publishing division can assist in getting the necessary permissions to clear samples—whether you’re sampling a beat, a vocal, or even ambient sounds from another recording. We do this the right way, protecting artists and ensuring your work stays on DSPs without issue.
What’s the Difference Between Sampling, Remixing, Interpolation & Covers?
These terms get tossed around a lot, so let’s break it down:
Sampling: Lifting a piece of the actual audio recording. Requires both master and publishing clearance.
Interpolation: Re-recording or replaying a melody or lyric from an original song. You don’t need the master clearance, but you do need permission from the publishing rights holder.
Remix: Usually authorized by the original artist or label. You’re working from the original stems and reimagining the track. This is typically a collaboration and often requires an agreement upfront.
Cover: You’re performing and recording a new version of a song without altering the structure or lyrics. A mechanical license is required (we can help with this too), but you don’t need to clear the master or get permission from the label.
Each of these uses comes with different rules, different permissions, and different costs.
What Does Sample Clearance Cost?
It depends on who you’re asking.
Major labels like Sony, UMG, and Warner will often charge an upfront fee, a percentage of ownership in your new track (publishing splits), and possibly a royalty share. For high-profile samples, you could be looking at thousands of dollars—and that’s before you even distribute. But for emerging artists with smaller releases or indie sampling needs, there are still paths forward. The key is getting ahead of it before you drop the track.
At Cage Riot, we’ve navigated clearances with majors, indies, and everything in between. If you’re unsure whether your track is sample-safe, our Publishing division can evaluate it and advise on next steps.
Final Word: Don’t Risk It.
Don’t wait for your track to blow up before you realize you owe someone 100% of your revenue—or worse, get pulled from every DSP overnight. We’ve seen artists build momentum, only to watch it disappear because of one uncleared sample.
The safest bet is to release your own original music. If you’re not a producer, find one you trust and buy exclusive beats—don’t lease random ones off some sketchy site, and definitely don’t grab loops and hope no one notices. Ownership is power. And protection.
If you’re serious about releasing music professionally, take sample clearance seriously. Cage Riot can help with that. Our goal is always to protect artists, empower creative freedom, and build sustainable careers—not shortcuts that lead to lawsuits.
Let’s get it cleared, the right way.
Want to talk sample clearance or get a track reviewed? Reach out to our publishing team at Cage Riot. We got you.
If you are building your team, reach out to Cage Riot, as we have many resources to bring to the table.
Author: Yvonne Claro is the managing partner of Cage Riot Music Group and head of business and publishing development, dedicated to exploring innovations that empower independent artists and shape the future of music.
