We have a long-standing specification for embedding licenses in MP3 audio files which requires two pieces of information: a license claim embeddded in the audio file, and verification metadata hosted on a web page. While command-line tools for looking up the verification metadata have been available for a while, we have lacked an easy, drag and drop solution for examining an embedded claim and whether or not it verifies. No more.

ccLookup is tool available for Mac OS X and Windows which allows you to drop an MP3 file onto the program icon or running window in order to verify the embedded claim, if any. Downloads are available here.

While ccLookup is a step in the right direction, there’s still work to be done. Ogg support would be nice, and I’m sure there are features I haven’t thought of. Have a comment, suggestion or idea? Email me at nathan@creativecommons.org and let me know.