What Rights Do You Get With Each Beat License Type?

You found the perfect beat. You're ready to record. But before you pay that $25, do you know *exactly* what you're allowed to do with the song?

In the music industry, ownership is everything. When you lease a beat, you aren't buying the instrumental itself—you are buying a *license* to use it in specific ways. Understanding these rights is the difference between keeping your royalties and getting your song taken down for copyright infringement.

This guide breaks down every right included in VGP Studio licenses so you can release your music with 100% confidence.

This is the big one. Streaming rights determine how many times your song can be played on Digital Service Providers (DSPs) before you need to upgrade your license.

The "Cap" System

Most licenses come with a "stream cap."

Scenario: You buy a Basic MP3 lease. Your song blows up on TikTok and gets 150,000 streams on Spotify in a month. What happens?Technically, you have exceeded your license terms. You must contact us to upgrade to a Basic Pro or Premium license to cover the additional streams. Don't worry—your song won't be instantly deleted, but you are legally required to upgrade once you hit the cap. Tip: If you believe in your song, the Unlimited license ($100) removes this stress entirely. Infinite streams, forever.

Visuals are crucial for promotion, but they are treated differently than audio streams.

- Basic: 1 Music Video allowed. - Unlimited: 2 Music Videos allowed. Why the limit? This prevents people from using the beat for an entire web series or multiple different projects under one cheap license.

Planning to perform live?

- Basic MP3: Not allowed. - Basic Pro & Up: Allowed.

If you're getting paid $500 for a show, investing $25 in the Basic Pro license is a no-brainer to ensure you're legally covered.

Radio is still a major royalty generator.

- Basic Tiers: Usually 0 stations allowed. - Premium: 2 Stations allowed. - Exclusive: Unlimited stations.

Getting radio spins generates publishing royalties (ASCAP/BMI). If you don't have the right license, you can't collect these checks.

Q: Can I upgrade my license later?

A: Yes! You just pay the difference. If you bought Basic ($25) and want Unlimited ($100), you typically pay $75 to upgrade.

Q: Do I own the master recording?

A: You own the *master to your specific song* (lyrics + vocal performance), but the producer retains ownership of the *instrumental composition*.

Q: What if I don't buy a license and just use the free download?

A: Free downloads are for non-profit / personal use only. You cannot upload to Spotify, Apple Music, or monetize on YouTube. If you do, your song will be taken down or claimed.

Don't let legal jargon scare you. Licenses exist to protect *both* you and the producer. By purchasing the right license, you're investing in the future of your music and ensuring that when the money starts rolling in, you get to keep it.

Ready to select your license? Browse our catalog and filter by the license that fits your goals.