Registering your music with BeatStars Publishing can potentially affect your customers who lease your beats, depending on the terms of their lease agreements and how BeatStars Publishing handles rights management. Here are the key considerations:
Table of Contents
1. Royalties and Copyright Administration
- When you register a beat with BeatStars Publishing, they handle the publishing rights and collect royalties for public performances, streaming, synchronization, and other uses. This means that BeatStars Publishing will claim a share of royalties from any usage of the beat, even if it has been leased or sold to customers.
- Customers who lease your beats (under non-exclusive agreements) or purchase them exclusively may still need to comply with copyright laws and pay royalties for certain uses, such as public performances or sync licensing.
2. Lease Agreements and Customer Usage
- Non-Exclusive Leases: If your customers lease beats under a non-exclusive agreement, they typically have limited rights (e.g., a cap on streams or distribution). Registering the beat with BeatStars Publishing does not change the terms of these agreements, but it ensures that royalties are collected for uses outside the scope of the lease.
- Exclusive Sales: If you sell a beat exclusively, you may need to clarify whether you are transferring full ownership (including publishing rights) or retaining some rights. BeatStars Publishing could still collect royalties unless you explicitly transfer all rights to the buyer.
3. Synchronization Licensing
- BeatStars’ default lease contracts often exclude synchronization rights (e.g., using the beat in commercials or films) unless explicitly included in the agreement. If a customer wants to use your beat for sync purposes, they may need to negotiate additional licensing terms with you or BeatStars Publishing.
4. YouTube Content ID
- If you opt into YouTube Content ID through BeatStars Publishing, they will monitor and monetize videos using your registered beats. This could result in claims being placed on videos created by customers who leased your beats. Customers might need to dispute these claims or provide proof of their license.
5. Communication with Customers
- To avoid confusion or disputes, it’s important to clearly communicate how registering a beat with BeatStars Publishing affects your customers’ rights. Update your lease agreements to reflect any changes in royalty collection or licensing terms.
Summary
Registering music with BeatStars Publishing primarily impacts royalty collection and copyright administration but does not automatically override existing lease agreements. However, it could create complications for customers if their usage falls outside the scope of their license (e.g., sync licensing or YouTube monetization). To maintain good relationships with your customers, ensure that your contracts are clear and that they understand how publishing registration affects their rights.
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