If you’re releasing a track that uses a beat you’ve leased or purchased, it’s important to understand how beat licenses work and how to properly submit your release.
Understanding Beat Lease Agreements
A Beat Lease Agreement allows you, the artist, to use a producer’s instrumental in your recording. While you gain the right to incorporate the beat into your track, the producer retains full ownership of the copyright.
The license you receive can be:
- Exclusive: only you can use the beat for the terms of the agreement.
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Non-exclusive: the producer can license the same beat to other artists.
Beat leases typically include restrictions on:
- Time: how long you can use the beat (e.g., several years).
- Exploitation: the number of copies, sales, or streams allowed.
Popular platforms for leasing beats include Beatstars and Traktrain.
Submitting Your Release with a Leased Beat
When uploading your track, you can attach your beat lease agreement or any other relevant documentation at the end of the upload process. This ensures that your release complies with licensing rules and protects both you and the producer.