License – Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 21st April 2026 (updated to include: Full Buyout Toplines section covering full transfer of master and publishing rights)
By purchasing, downloading, or using any vocal product from this site, you agree to the following terms of use:
1. Non-Exclusive Toplines, Limited Edition Toplines, Edition Ten Toplines
These vocals are licensed to you royalty-free, in perpetuity.
You may use them in your original musical works for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the need
for any publishing splits or royalty payments.
However, you may NOT:
• Resell, sublicense, distribute, or share the raw vocal files in any form.
• Include the vocals in any sample pack, loop kit, or similar product, whether for free or for sale.
• Use the name "Kate McGill" (or any variation thereof) in any public-facing material, including artist credits,
song titles, or metadata, under any circumstance.
2. Exclusive Toplines
When you buy an Exclusive Topline, you are granted 100% of the master rights. This means:
• You fully own the final recorded version of the song (the master).
• You can release it on any platform (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.).
• You will receive all revenue generated from streams, downloads, and sales of the track.
• Kate McGill will not receive any share of that master income.
Publishing (songwriting) split
Important Note: This does not mean you own the publishing entirely. Publishing covers the underlying melody
and lyrics. For Exclusive Toplines, publishing is split 50/50 between you and Kate.
One song usage (versions and remixes are allowed)
Exclusive Toplines are licensed for use in one song or one track project only. This allows you, and/or your label,
to release multiple versions of the same track, including (but not limited to):
• Radio edits and extended mixes
• VIPs and alternate versions
• Instrumental versions
• Official remixes and remix packs
As long as the vocal is not reused to create multiple unrelated songs.
2-year release window (rights reversion clause)
This 2-year release window has been included in Exclusive Topline agreements since 17th September 2025. This
online license page was updated on 18th January 2026 to reflect that clause more clearly. Exclusive Toplines
purchased before 17th September 2025 are governed by the terms agreed at the time of purchase, unless otherwise
updated in writing by both parties.
Because this is an exclusive license, the vocal is removed from sale and reserved for you. To prevent vocals
being held indefinitely without release, Exclusive Toplines include a 2-year release window:
• If the track is commercially released within 2 years of purchase, your exclusive license remains valid
permanently.
• If the track is not released within 2 years of purchase, the exclusive license expires and the rights to the
vocal revert back to Kate McGill, meaning it may be re-licensed or resold.
For clarity, "commercially released" means the track is publicly available on major DSPs such as Spotify and
Apple Music. If you need more time, extensions may be agreed in writing before the 2-year deadline.
However, you may NOT:
• Resell, sublicense, or share the original vocal recordings.
• Include the vocals in any sample pack, template, or similar product.
• Use the name "Kate McGill" (or any variation thereof) in any form of public crediting, metadata, or
marketing materials.
This restriction refers to public-facing billing and marketing. Songwriting registration with PROs is permitted where
required.
3. Full Buyout Toplines
A Full Buyout transfers complete ownership of both the master recording and the publishing (melody and lyrics)
to you. Upon purchase and signing of the buyout agreement:
• You own 100% of the master rights and 100% of the publishing. Kate McGill retains no financial interest in
the work in any form, including streams, downloads, sales, syncs, or any other exploitation of the recording
or composition.
• Kate McGill waives all moral rights in the work to the fullest extent permitted by law, including the right to
be identified as author or composer.
• There is no 2-year release window. Ownership is permanent and unconditional, regardless of whether or when the track is released.
However, even under a Full Buyout, you may NOT:
• Use the name "Kate McGill" (or any variation thereof) in any public-facing credit, metadata, song title, or marketing material.
• Use the vocal recordings to train, clone, or replicate Kate McGill's voice using AI or machine learning tools, or for any form of voice synthesis or conversion.
• Resell, sublicense, or redistribute the raw vocal files as standalone assets (e.g. in sample packs or loop kits).
The Full Buyout is confirmed in writing via a signed agreement before files are released. Payment in full is required before the agreement is issued.
4. General Conditions
• These licenses are non-transferable.
• Any violation of these terms may result in the termination of your license, removal of your content from
digital platforms, and/or legal action.
• By completing your purchase or download, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed
to these terms.
5. Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence)
You are strictly forbidden from using any vocals from this site to:
• Train, clone, or replicate the voice of Kate McGill using AI or machine learning tools.
• Extract stems or isolate elements using AI for the purpose of voice synthesis, voice conversion, or
revoicing.
• Create new works that mimic or artificially reproduce Kate McGill's voice.
I actively monitor for AI misuse. If any vocals from this site are found to be used in AI tools or outputs without
explicit permission, I will issue takedown notices immediately and may pursue legal action.
Please respect that these vocals represent my actual voice, likeness, and identity. You are being trusted with
this material. Do not abuse that trust.
6. Cover Vocals
Cover vocals on this site are studio-grade interpretations of existing, copyrighted songs. They are licensed to
you royalty-free for personal use, demo creation, and non-commercial purposes.
However, if you wish to commercially release a track using a cover vocal, you are solely responsible for
obtaining the appropriate mechanical license (also known as a cover license) for the original composition. These
are typically easy to obtain through services like Easy Song or Songfile.
You may NOT:
• Release a cover track commercially without securing the proper mechanical license.
• Resell, share, or redistribute the raw vocal files.
• Register the track with Content ID systems (e.g., YouTube, Facebook) unless you have cleared all
necessary rights.
• Use the name "Kate McGill" (or any variation thereof) in any form of public credit, metadata, or branding.
Cover vocals are non-exclusive. Multiple users may license the same vocal. You retain full creative freedom
over your final track, but it is your responsibility to ensure all legal obligations are met before distribution.
7. Custom Toplines
Custom Toplines are bespoke vocals written and recorded to your brief. Upon delivery and full payment:
• You are granted 100% of the master rights. You fully own the final recorded version of the song and will
receive all revenue from streams, downloads, and sales.
Publishing (songwriting) split
Publishing is split 50/50 between you and Kate McGill, broken down as 25% melody and 25% lyrics to Kate.
This reflects the creative contribution of writing original melodies and lyrics to your brief.
All other terms from Section 2 (Exclusive Toplines) apply to Custom Toplines, including the one-song usage
policy, the 2-year release window, and all restrictions on reselling, redistribution, and crediting.
8. Humanise Your AI Vocal
This service involves Kate McGill performing a vocal over your existing track where the melodies and/or lyrics
have been generated or assisted by AI tools.
Performance only (no changes to melodies or lyrics)
If Kate performs the vocal exactly as provided, with no changes to the melodies or lyrics, the service is treated
as a performance-only engagement. In this case, no publishing split is required — you retain full ownership of
the composition.
Performance with creative input (melodies or lyrics are tweaked)
If Kate makes changes to the melodies and/or lyrics during the recording process, this constitutes a creative
contribution to the composition. In this case, a publishing split will apply. The exact split will be discussed and
agreed upon upfront before any payment is made or work begins.
In all cases, the agreed terms — including any publishing splits — will be confirmed in writing before the session
proceeds. All other general conditions from Section 4 apply, including restrictions on AI misuse (Section 5) and
the prohibition on using the name "Kate McGill" in any public-facing credits, metadata, or marketing materials.
Any questions or need any clarifications? Please email kate@katemcgill.co.uk