Original Artist Name in Artist Field. For karaoke, tribute, Japanese orgel, parody, cover albums, and ringtones, the name of the original artist must not be displayed in any artist field on the track level or the album level.
For example: The Billy Joel Tribute Band is not an acceptable artist name.
Karaoke must not be used as the artist name unless it is part of the legal entity name, such as The Karaoke Kangaroos or All Star Karaoke.
Original Artist Name in Track or Ringtone Titles. Track or ringtone titles for cover, orgel, parody songs, or tributes must not make reference to the original artist. Do not use phrases such as “Originally Performed By,” “In the Style of,” “Tribute to,” or “Cover of.” Karaoke track titles can make reference to the original artist. You must use clarifying language to ensure that consumers will not think those artists are performing. You should use phrases such as “Originally Performed By... (original artist name).”
Original Artist Name in Album Titles. The album title must not begin with the original artist name. For example, “Kelly Clarkson: The Bluegrass Tribute” is not an acceptable album title. Instead, format the title as “The Bluegrass Tribute to Kelly Clarkson.”
Karaoke Version Information. Titles of karaoke albums and tracks must indicate that they are an instrumental or karaoke version.
Version Example
Karaoke Version Grenade (Karaoke Version)
Instrumental Version Don’t Stop Believin’ (Instrumental Version)
Version karaoke Marguerite (Version karaoké)
Deceptive or Misleading. Titles and artist names must not be deceptive or misleading. Do not use genres, popular song lyrics, or the original artist names as the album title, track title, or artist for karaoke. Content that is considered deceptive or misleading will be most likely be removed from the stores.
Karaoke Genres. Albums containing Karaoke content must use Karaoke as the RecordingVersion and TopLevel at the album and track level. This includes backing tracks, performance tracks, or any other type of content that could be identified as Karaoke.
Sound-a-likes or cover versions or tribute songs that sound very similar to the original will be most likely be removed from the stores. Recordings that include a similar name, title, or image of a popular artist in the content title or cover art may be hidden for editorial reasons. This content may not actually violate copyright law, but they cause customer confusion.
Unauthorized remixes. Unauthorized remixes aren't accepted.
Lead Vocals. Karaoke must not include lead vocals or vocal versions.