Leasing and Selling Music Production

Below is my reply to a young man who asked about what the terms of the agreement may be as it comes to splitting music publishing royalties with a recording artist he was selling an exclusive or non-exclusive track to. I didn't respond to specifics as to a contract as I am not an entertainment lawyer and have never gone to law school and don't hold a law degree. Additionally, it is advised that you always seek out a competent entertainment lawyer when drafting and negotiating a contract to ensure all parties receive a mutually beneficial arrangement. A list of entertainment attorneys may be found in either the Atlanta or Los Angeles Music Industry Connection Books.

Assuming you are seeking radio airplay in the U.S. every songwriter and music producer/composer should register themselves as a member with one of the three pro's in the U.S. -ASCAP, BMI or SESAC. Additionally, every songwriter and music producer/composer should register as a music publisher with at least one of the three pro's in the U.S. While you may only be a writer member of one of the three pro's at a time you may be a publisher member of all three simultaneously.

If the artist didn't right their own lyrics, traditionally they wouldn't be due any performing rights royalties from radio airplay from ASCAC, BMI or SESAC (music publishing). I say traditionally because there may be some super star recording artist that may negotiate receiving performing rights royalties from radio airplay from ASCAC, BMI or SESAC (music publishing) of the song they recorded. While this is probably rare it is possible given that a new music producer or songwriter is seeking to get a placement and have that placement adequately marketed and promoted as a single by the record (new media) label.

If the recording artist writes the lyrics they are performing they would receive the writers share of the performance royalties from radio airplay from ASCAC, BMI or SESAC.

It may be extremely difficult to get anyone who knows about the music business and music publishing who intends on investing significant marketing monies for radio promotions to buy a beat non-exclusively. Anyone who agrees to such an arrangement may be naive to the music business and will ultimately turn in to a headache down the line when they get the skinny. It is typically better to deal with people who know about the business, so that everyone is one the level, as this helps to ensure all parties remains happy when the money starts coming. When selling a track non-exclusively this would be leasing a beat or track and the terms of the agreement are to be decided by the parties involved.

Lease Beats Make Money is JAM-PACKED with over 45 pages of cutting edge information, resources, videos, links and connections on leasing beats and making money. Lease Beats Make Money could easily be sold for $147 or more, but it's being offered as a FREE download for a limited time. Click here to get started.