A mechanical license is a legal permission that allows someone to reproduce and distribute a musical composition, typically in the form of audio recordings. This license is essential for artists, producers, and record labels who want to cover or sample a song written by another songwriter. It ensures that the original creators receive royalties for their work. To obtain a mechanical license, one usually needs to contact a licensing agency or the copyright holder of the song. In the United States, the Copyright Office oversees these licenses, and organizations like Harry Fox Agency help facilitate the process for artists and labels.