What type of beats contract do I need?
October 15, 2013
Dear Music Lawyer,
Is their a contract where I can have a music beat maker give up their master rights for a small payment that myself and the producer agree on?
—Johnnie
Dear Johnnie,
There are lots of different types of beats agreements. If you want to purchase the beats outright so that you own the beats, then you should request an exclusive assignment of all rights to the beats.
There is no set fee for the purchase of beats, though it's typically more expensive to purchase the beats than to lease them or to obtain a non-exclusive license to use them. If you and the producer agree that a small fee is reasonable compensation, that shouldn't affect the validity of the contract.
—Amy E. Mitchell
