KobrahXL™ - Beats FAQ

Beats FAQ

Below you will find frequently asked questions, also knows as FAQs, regarding many different sections of this website and about me. See something you want to know but isn't listed? Ask! I will post it below if it's a good question!

Beat Licensing

Ok so what is a "Standard Leasing Agreement"?
- Well, a Standard Leasing Agreement is the typical agreement offered by producers everywhere. It is cost effective and a good way of testing the waters with a beat to be sure you have a song potentially worth pursuing. Now of course, you cannot do too much with this license. It literally is a teaser that grants you certain permissions to use the beat but not within the full scope of being able to completely monetize your song. To equate, a Standard Beat Lease is the equivalent of getting something from the dollar menu from your favorite fast food place: It will not exactly fill you up but it's affordable and will at least stop the stomach rumbling for now until you can get to what you wanted. Now I can continue to sell this agreement since it is a nonexclusive one unti the Exclusive Rights are purchased.

Ok, now what is a "Premium Lease" then?
- A "Premium Lease" is pretty much a step-up from the Standard Beat Lease. This is perfect for that song that "feels" like it has potential but you are not completely sold on it's breakout potential. I mean, not too much is different from the Standard Lease with the exception that you can sell a few more physical copies in comparison. Now to give it a food comparison, this is like stepping it up to a more premium burger complete with fries and a drink: can sustain you a little longer between meals, but still will not do. Again, this is nonexclusive, so I can continue to sell this repeatedly until the Exclusive Rights are purchased.

Ok...I think I got it, now the "Ultimate" one? I take it you can do a little more with that one?
- Now the Ultimate option is a little better, but still a windfall short of the Exclusive option. You can do a little more in the physical sales and performances department, but you'll notice you still cannot do a lot. THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS! Now for a food comparison: Instead of that Burger and fries that is the "Premium" option, we're going to a little more of an upscale restaurant that is slightly pricier but the food tastes WAY better and leaves a better impression on your first date. Again this is nonexclusive, so your date can still go out with other people unless someone locks them down in a more "permanent" situation. Might as well be you right?

Oh ok...so since "Exclusive" is the last one, I take it you can do more than everything else?
- Yup. I shouldn't really have to describe this but I will. This is the option that gives you every usage right under the sun. This is the option that prevents any other possible future sale of usage rights in respect to you. You can profit off this in any way you can think of (as long as you adhere to the agreement and you remember to pay me!). Now this one...this is the 5 Star "home-cooked gourmet meal with a really attractive date"option. It's just you with them (the Exclusive Rights), and no one else. Now of course their ex's and other potentials are left upset that you have them (other previous rights holders still have their usage rights intact, and no one else can buy one) but they are giving their all to you and ONLY you. It's an amazing feeling.

I don't understand, why won't you just add more things you can do under the other licenses that you have under the Exclusive License? Wouldn't that give us more bang for our buck?
- Oh trust me, there is a VERY good reason I like to avoid this. Here is a long-winded question I want you to ask yourself:
  - Have you ever paid top dollar for a particular service or product with specific services meant for you, only to find out after using said service that someone was given the same level of permissions as you, from the same source you received yours from, for the same exact product you paid for, for the purpose you needed it for, at a fraction of the cost you paid, expecting to be the only person that can do that specific thing with it, resulting in you bumping heads legally with the competition when it was possible to avoid it somehow, resulting in confusion when it's all set and done?
- Well that is the reason I avoid this. What I found is that many producers are granting way too many permissions that I feel should be given only to those who are serious about their craft and putting their "money where their mouth is". This feeling I understand because as an artist myself I also questioned this as well. And the way I see it, if I'm going to question it then so will you (presumably). Prime example:
  - I don't believe that you should be able to monetize via streaming sites like Spotify and Slacker Radio, or anything royalty-bearing, including TV/FILM synch rights, without the Exclusive Usage Rights.
  - Nor should I be able to sell the synch rights to beats intended for song use for multiple reasons. It would be tough to maximize the potential of a song if someone else is allowed to do the exact same thing with that exact same beat under a lesser license.
  - Also, what are the odds that you are going to hear a Drake or Wiz Khalifa song that contains the SAME EXACT BEAT as one another on that platform? Well you SHOULDN'T unless it's a collaborative song found on both albums! Now of course it happens due to coincidence, which is VERY rare, but this moreso turns out to be something that is ACTUALLY avoidable.
  - Many producers tend to be guilty of "double dipping" (the act of reselling Exclusive Rights to another party after sold) or irresponsible business practices (unclear distinctions between rights, unclear language, etc.). Something I ACTIVELY wish to avoid, and it begins with my agreement terms. Which is why I limit what one can do under a particular license while reserving certain things for the Exclusive Rights option ONLY. This is to honor the worth of not only the Exclusive License but the other licenses as well.
- This is to also put you, the purchasor, in the position to think CRITICALLY and QUICKLY in terms of your intentions for the beat and the song you plan to make to it. Too many options spread between too many different licenses cause "analysis paralysis", which then results in overthinking about your choices...which leads to your creativity dying off...which leads to hesitation to move on the beat...which leads to someone possibly buying the Exclusive Rights before you...which leads to you being mad...and possibly flipping furniture out of frustration. And beause that does not help you...it does not help me, then I don't get paid. Then I cry at night. See? We do look out for the artists!