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 type of license is essential for artists, record labels, and producers who want to cover or sample a song. It ensures that the original songwriters and publishers receive royalties for their work. To obtain a mechanical license, one usually needs to contact the song's publisher or use a licensing agency. The license specifies the terms, including the number of copies that can be made and the payment structure. This process helps protect the rights of the original creators while enabling new interpretations of their music.