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Beat License Agreement

For an artist purchasing or licensing a pre-made beat from a producer — covers exclusive vs. non-exclusive rights, usage limits, streaming caps, and credit requirements.

Drafted by a Harvard Law entertainment attorney.

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Is this the right contract for your beat?

This contract is built for a producer licensing a pre-made beat to an artist. It fits deals where the parties want to set whether the rights are exclusive or non-exclusive, how the beat may be used, any limits on streams or sales, the fee, and how the producer is credited before the artist records over it.

Good fit for

  • Producers and beatmakers licensing beats
  • Artists recording over a producer's beat
  • Exclusive or non-exclusive beat deals
  • Deals with stream, sale, or performance limits
  • Anyone setting producer credit terms

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Before you start

It helps to have these details on hand before you create your contract:

  • Producer name and artist name
  • The beat being licensed
  • Whether the license is exclusive or non-exclusive
  • How the beat may be used
  • Any caps on streams, sales, or performances
  • The fee
  • How the producer must be credited
  • Whether the beat can be resold to others

What's Inside This Contract

Grant of license

Sets the beat licensed and whether the rights are exclusive or non-exclusive.

Term

States how long the license lasts.

Compensation

Covers the fee and any caps on streams, sales, or performances.

Credit and attribution

Sets how the producer must be credited.

Representations and warranties

The producer confirms ownership and the right to license the beat.

Termination

Explains how and when the license can end.

Disputes and general provisions

Covers standard terms such as notices, how disputes are handled, and signatures.

Points Worth Negotiating

  • Whether the license is exclusive or non-exclusive
  • Any caps on streams, sales, or performances
  • How the producer must be credited
  • Whether the beat can be resold to others
  • What happens if the song becomes successful

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a beat license agreement?
It is an agreement where a producer lets an artist use a beat, setting whether the rights are exclusive or non-exclusive and how the beat may be used.
Who should sign it?
The producer who owns the beat and the artist licensing it both sign. The signatures confirm the rights, any limits, the fee, and the credit.
What is the difference between exclusive and non-exclusive?
An exclusive license means only you can use the beat going forward. A non-exclusive license lets the producer license the same beat to others.
Are there limits on streams or sales?
Often, for non-exclusive licenses. Beat licenses may cap the number of streams, sales, or performances, with higher tiers costing more.
Do I have to credit the producer?
Usually yes. The agreement sets producer credit in a set format, so check how the credit must appear.
How is this different from a producer agreement?
A Beat License lets you use a pre-made beat with set terms. A Music Producer Agreement covers hiring a producer to create new recordings, with fees, points, and ownership.
Should I choose the custom contract or the editable template?
Choose the custom contract to answer a few questions and have it filled in for you. Choose the editable template if you prefer a blank version with labeled fields to complete yourself.
What are common warning signs in a beat license agreement?

These are common issues to watch for in any beat license agreement:

  • Unclear whether rights are exclusive
  • Hidden limits on streams or sales
  • No credit terms
  • No clarity on resale to other artists
  • Vague description of the licensed beat
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