This article applies to:
-
Beat Sellers
- Professional Plan
- Growth Plan
- Starter Plan
Overview
When someone buys or downloads a beat on BeatStars, a license agreement is automatically generated based on the type of transaction. This article breaks down the different license types, paid beats, free downloads, $0 commercial licenses, PROkits, and how Contract Codes work to fill in the details within License Customisation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Paid Beat Licenses
These licenses apply when a buyer purchases a beat or track on the BeatStars Marketplace.
Non-Exclusive Beat License
A non-exclusive license lets a buyer use your beat to create and release new music, based on the terms you've set. You keep ownership of the beat and can continue selling it to other buyers.
The specific usage rights like streaming limits, distribution copies, and performance rights are pulled from your license settings using BeatStars Contract Codes.
Exclusive Beat License
An exclusive license transfers your rights in the master recording to the buyer, as outlined in the agreement. The agreement also covers ownership of the underlying composition separately.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any non-exclusive licenses you issued before the exclusive sale remain valid. Selling exclusive rights does not cancel licenses already granted to other buyers.
Free Beat Licenses
BeatStars supports two types of $0 transactions: a free personal download and a $0 commercial license. These are different, so it's important to know which one applies.
Free Download (Non-Commercial)
When a user downloads a beat for free, they receive a limited, non-transferable, personal-use license. This means they can listen to and enjoy the beat, but they cannot use it commercially.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Free downloads do not allow commercial use. This includes releasing music for profit, distribution, sync licensing, public performances, and similar activities.
$0 Commercial License
A $0 commercial license allows a buyer to use your beat commercially without paying an upfront fee. The beat remains non-exclusive, so you can continue licensing it to others.
In exchange, the agreement may give you a percentage of Net Receipts from the new master, along with applicable ownership in the resulting composition
PROkits Licenses
PROkits licenses apply to Sound Kits rather than individual beats.
PROkits Non-Exclusive Kit License
This license lets a buyer use sounds from your kit to create and release new music. You keep ownership of the Sound Kit itself.
The agreement may also include ongoing earnings participation for you as the original kit creator when the buyer commercially releases music made with your sounds.
How Contract Codes Work
Contract Codes are placeholders that BeatStars uses to automatically fill in the details of a license agreement based on the specific transaction and your license settings.
They pull in information like the buyer's name, the beat title, the price, usage limits, and more so every license is tailored to that exact sale and can be found within your License "Contract" tab under "Full Customization": https://studio.beatstars.com/contracts/tracks
Contract Code Examples
| Contract Code | What it fills in |
|---|---|
{CONTRACT_DATE} |
Date of the transaction |
{PRODUCER_ALIAS} |
Your BeatStars display name |
{CUSTOMER_FULLNAME} |
Buyer's full name |
{TRACK_TITLE} |
Name of the beat being licensed |
{LICENSE_NAME} |
Name of your license tier |
{TRACK_PRICE} |
Price of the beat or license |
{TERM_YEARS} |
How long the license lasts |
{FILE_TYPE} |
File formats included with the license |
{DISTRIBUTE_COPIES} |
Number of distribution copies allowed |
{AUDIO_STREAMS} |
Monetized audio streams allowed |
{PERFORMANCES_FOR_PROFIT} |
For-profit live performances allowed |
{PERFORMANCES_NOT_FOR_PROFIT} |
Non-profit live performances allowed |
{MONETIZED_MUSIC_VIDEOS} |
Monetized music videos allowed |
{MONETIZED_VIDEO_STREAMS_ALLOWED} |
Monetized video streams allowed |
{NONMONETIZED_VIDEO_STREAMS_ALLOWED} |
Non-monetized video streams allowed |
{FREE_DOWNLOADS} |
Free downloads allowed |
{NUMBER_OF_RADIO_STATIONS} |
Radio stations allowed |
{NET_INCOME_SHARE AMOUNT} |
Your percentage of Net Receipts from the new master |
{PUBLISHING_RIGHTS} |
Publishing rights for applicable exclusive transactions |
{STATE_PROVINCE_COUNTRY} |
Jurisdiction for governing law or arbitration |
Quick Reference
Transaction type |
License agreement |
Commercial use? |
Exclusive? |
Seller earnings participation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard beat purchase |
Non-Exclusive Beat License |
Yes |
No |
Based on your license settings |
Exclusive beat purchase |
Exclusive Beat License |
Yes |
Yes — as defined in the agreement |
Publishing and royalties as applicable |
Free download |
Free Non-Exclusive Track Terms |
No |
No |
N/A |
$0 commercial license |
$0 Non-Exclusive Track License |
Yes |
No |
Master and publishing participation |
PROkit or Sound Kit |
PROkits Non-Exclusive Kit License |
Yes |
No |
Licensing, master, and publishing participation |
How a Marketplace License Is Generated
-
You configure your license.
You set the terms for your beat price, usage limits, streaming caps, distribution copies, performance rights, and more. -
BeatStars fills in the details.
When a transaction happens, BeatStars uses Contract Codes to automatically insert your info, the buyer's info, and the transaction details into the right agreement template. -
The buyer completes the purchase.
The generated Marketplace license governs the rights granted between you and the buyer for that transaction. -
A unique license is created for that sale.
Every license reflects the exact terms from your configuration and the details of that specific transaction.
Related Articles
How Do I Edit my Contracts?
How Do I Upload Tracks?
Beat Uploads FAQ