Music Producers have been selling their beats online on beat stores for many years now by using beat license agreements. But this might be a new discovery to you, whether your an artist or a producer. We intend to teach you everything you need to know about beat licensing in this guide, so you know exactly what you are buying or selling.
Part 1: What Is Beat Licensing?
Beat Licensing
The term "beat licensing", also known as "beat leasing" is when the licensor (The Music Producer) gives the licensee (Artist/Beat Buyer) legal permission to use the beat as outlined in the license. In other words, by purchasing a beat license, you are purchasing the audio files that are copyrighted by the producer. In return for your payment, the producer grants you several legal rights to use the beat. This is what we call the License Agreement.
This example of an License Agreement is legal proof that the producer has given you permission to use the beat.
Do I need to buy a beat license?
If you are new to buying beats online, then you might think that beats that are advertised as "free" on YouTube are actually free, when they're not. The reason why producers advertise their beats as free on YouTube is because of the high competitiveness in the industry, so they do this as a marketing strategy.
You can only use a 'free' beat for non-profitable purposes as you do not legally own any rights to use the beat. In order to use a beat to create a song, you must purchase a beat license, otherwise you will be breaching copyright laws and receive a hefty fine 💰.
Which beat license do I need to buy?
First of all, there are two types of beat licenses: Non-exclusive and Exclusive. The difference between the two is simple.
Non- exclusive means that the same beat can be sold to more than one person until it is purchased "exclusively", when a beat is sold exclusively, this means that the beat is sold outright to the buyer and the beat cannot be sold to anyone else after the effective date of the exclusive beat license.
Part 2: Non - Exclusive BEATS
When purchasing a non- exclusive beat license/lease you gain the right to record lyrics on the beat. The producer still remains the owner of the copyright to the beat, the artist owns the copyright to the lyrics that they have created. Therefore, when submitting a song to a distribution company such as Ditto or Distrokid, you must state that you only own the copyright to the lyrics as you have purchased a non- exclusive beat license.
We provide three different licenses:
The Usage Terms are set out below:
Boasy Beats Usage Terms
Basic, Premium and Unlimited are all non-exclusive lease licenses available on every beat uploaded to Boasy Beats. Exclusive Licenses are available on request by contacting us as the prices vary.
Which beat license is best suited for me?
Depending on your music budget and what you want to use the beat for can alter your decision when choosing a beat license.
The Basic license is best for new artists who are starting out and trying to build a music following on social media.
The Premium license is best for up and coming artists who have built a fanbase and want to maintain a following of their music on Spotify or iTunes etc.
The Unlimited license is best for established artists who have a larger fanbase, that want no limits to how they monetise their music.
Advantages of Non-Exclusive Licenses:
A range of non- exclusive licenses available
Less expensive than an exclusive license
Able to upgrade at any time by contacting us
Disadvantages of Non- Exclusive Licenses:
Limitation on usage terms for Basic and Premium Licenses
Expiration date on contract
Part 3: Exclusive BEATS
An exclusive beat license is sold to one artist, once the beat is sold exclusively, no other artists can purchase the beat license. By owning the exclusive rights to a beat, the artist can exploit the song to the fullest. There is no limitations to the streams, plays, sales or downloads. There is also no expiration date in the license agreement.
However, if the beat has been sold to other artists non-exclusively beforehand, the previous licensee is still able to use the beat until the license expires.
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