MP3 Lease agreement
1. Parties
This Beat Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is between Matthew Coutts, professionally known as Koots ("Producer"), and the Licensee named above ("Licensee"), for the musical composition and sound recording named above (the "Beat"). Licensee has paid the fee above in full.
2. What Licensee gets
Producer grants Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to record vocals and other new material over the Beat to create one new song (the "New Song"), and to reproduce, distribute, stream and perform the New Song within the limits in section 3, for 5 years from the date above (the "Term"). Licensee may edit the Beat's arrangement (for example, shorten it or loop sections) as needed for the New Song.
3. Limits
- Files: untagged MP3.
- Up to 5,000 copies sold or downloaded.
- Up to 100,000 audio streams.
- 1 music video.
- Up to 2 radio stations.
- Unlimited live performances.
Music videos may be monetized on Licensee's own channels. Not included without a separate written agreement: use in film, TV, advertising, video games or trailers (synchronization); use of the Beat on its own, without new vocals; and use in more than one song. When a limit is reached or the Term ends, Licensee must stop making new copies or streams available, or buy a new license. Copies already sold stay valid.
4. Ownership
Producer keeps all rights, title and interest in the Beat, including the copyright in the composition and the sound recording. Licensee owns the lyrics and vocal performances Licensee creates. This Agreement and the fee do not transfer ownership of the Beat.
5. Songwriting and publishing
The New Song's composition is owned 50% by Producer and 50% by Licensee and Licensee's co-writers, for both the writer's share and the publisher's share. Licensee will list Producer with this share when registering the New Song with any performing rights organization, publisher, administrator or distributor that asks for songwriter splits. Producer may register the New Song for Producer's share.
6. Credit
Licensee must credit Producer as "Prod. Koots" in the New Song's title or description, and in the credits wherever credits can be given (streaming services, video descriptions, liner notes).
7. Content ID and claims
Licensee may not register the Beat or the New Song with YouTube Content ID or any other audio fingerprinting system, and may not claim ownership of the Beat, send takedown notices, or collect revenue against Producer or Producer's other licensees. If Licensee's distributor registers the New Song automatically, Licensee must opt out or release any claim against Producer's or other licensees' content when asked.
8. What Licensee may not do
- Sell, give away, lease or share the Beat on its own or as an instrumental, including in beat packs, sample packs or AI training data.
- Transfer or sublicense this license.
- Claim to be the Beat's producer or owner.
- Use the Beat or the New Song in content that is defamatory, hateful, or infringes anyone's rights.
9. Non-exclusive
Producer may license the Beat to others, and may sell exclusive rights to it at any time. If exclusive rights are sold, this license stays valid for the rest of its Term and limits.
10. Promises
Producer confirms that Producer created the Beat and has the right to grant this license. Licensee confirms that Licensee's lyrics and performances are original or properly licensed, and will cover Producer for claims, losses and costs caused by Licensee's lyrics, recordings, or breach of this Agreement.
11. Breach
If Licensee breaks this Agreement, the license ends automatically without refund, and Licensee must remove the New Song from all services within 10 days. Producer may send takedown notices for any use after that.
12. Liability and refunds
Producer's total liability under this Agreement will not exceed the fee paid. Neither party is liable for indirect or consequential damages. The fee is non-refundable once the files are delivered, except as stated in the refund policy on Producer's website.
13. General
This Agreement is governed by the laws of United State. It is the entire agreement between the parties about the Beat, and any change must be in writing. If any part can't be enforced, the rest still applies. Licensee accepted this Agreement electronically by checking the agreement box and completing payment, which has the same effect as a signature.
Producer: Matthew Coutts p/k/a Koots
Licensee: [your name], accepted electronically on [purchase date]