| Within the past 5 years or so, the term beat | | | | profitable distributions. Some common lengths of |
| lease has been the phrase that pays when it | | | | time are 1-3 years, depending on the producer. If |
| comes to purchasing a non-exclusive license to a | | | | the terms allow for one year, the artist can |
| beat online. I often get emails from artists asking | | | | distribute his/her 2500 profitable copies over the |
| me exactly what a beat lease is. I understand | | | | course of one year. After this time, the contract |
| that the legal lingo may become a little confusing, | | | | runs out and the artist loses his/her right to |
| so I'd like to clarify a few things about a | | | | distribute the song for profit, even if they have |
| non-exclusive beat license (lease). The following | | | | not reached their 2500 copy limit. |
| are some terms you may come across when | | | | The producer retains ownership rights of the beat: |
| reading through beat leasing terms online: | | | | Leasing a beat is almost like borrowing or renting |
| A set number of Master Recordings: A Master | | | | the beat from the producer for a period of time. |
| Recording is defined as the audio file created after | | | | The artist has the right to record over, distribute, |
| the artist records his or her vocals to the beat. | | | | and make some money off of the producer's |
| Most leasing terms allows for the profitable | | | | work, but the producer retains ownership of the |
| distribution of one Master Recording. Although the | | | | beat. If you lease a beat, the producer keeps his |
| artist may record as many takes of the song as | | | | her right to continue leasing the beat to other |
| he or she wishes, they may only distribute ONE | | | | artists (hence why leasing grants "non-exclusive |
| of these recordings for profitable use. | | | | rights"). |
| A set number of profitable distributions of the | | | | The artist must give the producer credit for his |
| Master Recording: One factor outlined in almost all | | | | her work. Most beat lease terms include that the |
| beat-leasing terms is a limit on the amount of | | | | artist must give the producer some form of |
| profitable distributions of the Master Recording | | | | credit for his/her work in creating the beat. This |
| allowed by the artist. For the sake of an example, | | | | usually includes either verbal or written credit. |
| let us say that the producer's contract allows for | | | | Verbal credit would be a "shout-out" in the song |
| 2500 profitable distributions (that is the amount | | | | where the artist verbally states who the track |
| that we allow at our site)of the Master Recording. | | | | was produced by. Written credit is usually included |
| This simply means that the artist may record | | | | in the CD booklet or on a website where the |
| their vocals onto the beat, place the song on | | | | song is located. |
| 2500 CDs, DVDs, cassettes, or any other form | | | | These are the main terms of agreement you will |
| of recording media, and sell those for profit. If the | | | | come across when leasing a beat online. Every |
| artist were to sell any more than 2500 copies of | | | | contract is different, and you will more than likely |
| the song, they would be breaking the contract. If | | | | come across different terms when reading |
| the artist would like to further distribute the beat | | | | through beat lease contracts online, but these are |
| for more than 2500 copies, he/she must | | | | the ones that you are sure to come across most |
| purchase an extended beat lease. | | | | frequently. |
| A set length of time for profitable distributions: | | | | That's all for now...I hope you understand the beat |
| Another term you may run into with the beat | | | | lease a little better now! |
| lease is the overall time span of your allowed | | | | |