Guide · overview

Selling your music online, legally and without losing your rights.

Streaming, beats, publishing or signing with a label: each method of sale relies on a different contract. This guide directs you to the right document based on your situation.

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Artist working on distributing their music online

Summary

  • "Selling" your music online usually means granting a license, not transferring the work itself.
  • Four legal components appear in almost all deals: licensing, publishing/splits, masters, distribution.
  • Territory, duration, platforms, and remuneration are the four questions to be decided before any online posting.
Exclusive artist contract with a label

What do I need ?

Choose your case to access the contract, pack, or guide that fits you directly.

What gets stuck without a framework

Selling without a contract: things can go wrong.

Most conflicts arise from three grey areas: rights, revenue, and credits.

Without a framework

Unlimited use

  • Reuse possible without clear limits
  • Undefined territory, duration, media
  • Difficult withdrawal in case of disagreement
Frequent ambiguity

Poorly distributed revenues

  • Imprecise sharing between parties
  • No reporting to monitor exploitation
  • Conflicts over advances and commissions
With a contract

Clear framework

  • Defined territory, duration, media, monetization
  • Mandatory credits and specified format
  • Structured remuneration and reporting
The structure

The 4 legal bricks of an online sale.

  • License / operating authorization — who can use the music, where, how long, and on what media. See the music licensing guide.
  • Copyright, publishing & splits — essential in case of collaboration (toplines, co-writing). See the music publishing guide.
  • Masters / recording — who owns the master, who finances, what transfer scope. See the exclusive recording guide.
  • Distribution / label / management — royalties, options, duration, marketing if a label is involved. See the label guide.
3 common scenarios

Where to start.

Before publishing

Mini-checklist before selling.

  • Territory — France, Europe, worldwide?
  • Duration — 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, perpetual?
  • Supports — streaming, YouTube, advertising, TV, video games, live?
  • Monétisation — who collects, how, with what proof?
  • Credits — exact format and obligation to correct in case of oversight.
  • Release — termination or withdrawal conditions.
Before and after going online

The ecosystem MusiLaw.

Four complementary tools, useful at every stage.

Before publishing

TuneLockr

Protect and date your creations before going online.

Discover TuneLockr Before publishing

VoiceLockr

Secure your voice identity before exposing your music online.

Discover VoiceLockr Before release

Feedzback

Get professional feedback before publishing your project.

Discover Feedzback Once online

Beathoven

Promote your music to the right audiences and broadcasters.

Discover Beathoven
Official resources

To verify and delve deeper.

Copyright & intellectual property

SACEM WIPO Ministry of Culture

Neighboring rights (producers / performers)

SCPP SPPF ADAMI

A platform can distribute or monetise your music, but it does not replace a contract.

Frequently asked questions

Before publish.

"Vendre" sa musique, ça veut dire quoi exactement ?

Dans la plupart des cas, vous ne cédez pas la musique elle-même : vous accordez une licence, c'est-à-dire une autorisation d'usage limitée dans le temps, le territoire et les supports.

Puis-je vendre ma musique sans passer par un label ?

Yes. Direct sales (beats, licensing, digital distribution) do not require a label — however, they do require a clear contract for each type of deal.

What is the difference between exclusive and non-exclusive licensing for a beat?

An exclusive license reserves the instrumental for one buyer only. A non-exclusive license allows it to be sold to multiple buyers, with defined usage limits for each.

Do streaming platforms replace a contract?

No. They ensure distribution and technical monetisation, but do not define rights among collaborators, credits, or master transfers — a contract remains necessary.

Does this guide replace a lawyer?

No. It helps you identify the right type of contract. A complex situation or one with significant financial stakes may require tailored legal advice.

MusiLaw Access & Pro

120+ contracts. One single access.

Whatever your sales method, the full library covers all aspects of the music industry.

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In accordance with Article L. 221-28 of the Consumer Code, immediate execution of digital content may lead to the loss of the right of withdrawal after prior express agreement of the customer and acknowledgment of this loss.

🎯 Selling your music online: what do I need?

Choose your situation: you will immediately access the contract, to the pack or to the quiz most suitable.

📜
I'm putting my music online (streaming / YouTube)
Licenses & usage permissions
🎧
I'm selling instrumentals / beats
Exclusive / non-exclusive license (priority package)
✍️
I want to collect my royalties
Publishing, split sheets, management of works
🎙️
I'm releasing a single / an album
Recording, sessions, masters
🏷️
I'm signing with a label / distributor
Label, options, royalties, distribution
🧭
I don’t know what to choose
Quiz (1 min) → immediate recommendation
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Why selling your music online without a contract is risky

Most disputes come from 3 grey areas: rights, revenues and credits. A simple contract avoids 90% of disputes.

❌ Without framework

Unlimited & unpredictable use

  • Your music can be reused (clips, ads, content) with no clear limits.
  • Territory / duration / supports not defined.
  • Removing content is difficult if there’s a disagreement.
⚠️ Frequent vagueness

Poorly distributed revenues

  • Imprecise shares (royalties / beat lease / publishing).
  • No reporting: difficult to control usage.
  • Conflicts over advances, overlaps, commissions.
✅ Solution

MusiLaw Contracts: clear & actionable

  • Essential clauses: territory, duration, supports, monetization.
  • Mandatory credits + exact formatting.
  • Compensation & reporting structured.
Tip: if you sell instrumentals, start with a beatmaker license (exclusive / non-exclusive) rather than a 'message agreement'.

The 4 legal 'bricks' for selling your music online

Whether you are an artist, beatmaker, or producer, these elements appear in almost all deals.

1) License / exploitation authorization

Determines who can use the music, where, how long and on what media (streaming, networks, sync, live). Entry point: Music License Contracts.

2) Copyright / publishing & splits

Essential if you collaborate (toplines, co-production, co-writing). We formalize the shares and collection. See: music publishing contracts and the standard templates “split sheet”.

3) Masters / recording

Who owns the master ? Who pays for the recording? What is the scope of assignment? Access: recording contracts and session agreements.

📑 Explore all categories 🧭 I want the recommendation (quiz)

Where to start (according to your sales model)?

3 very common scenarios — with the right contract.

I sell beats (BeatStars / DM / marketplace)

Use a non-exclusive license for “volume” sales and an exclusive license for premium deals.

→ See the beatmaker pack

I release my tracks (streaming / YouTube)

Secure your collaborations: splits, masters, featuring, assignments if needed.

→ Recording contracts

I sign a deal (label / distribution)

Check royalties, options, duration, marketing, recoupments. Don’t sign “blindly”.

→ Label & distribution contracts

Are you hesitating? We tell you what to choose in 1 minute

Answer a few questions (profile, type of sale, platforms) and get a clear recommendation + the priority pack.

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Official resources to sell your music (reliable)

To complete your contracts, here are institutional references and useful platforms.

Copyright & intellectual property

Neighboring rights (producers / performers)

Platforms (monetisation / distribution)

Important: a platform can distribute/monetise, but it does not replace a contract. To secure your deals: explore MusiLaw contracts.

Ready to sell your music online properly?

Download reliable templates (Word & PDF) or let the quiz guide you to the right pack.

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Selling your music online legally: the simple guide (without jargon)

"Uploading a track" is not the same as selling or licensing the exploitation of a piece of music. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it all comes down to 4 questions: who who uses the music, where, how long and for what compensation. This is exactly what a good contract formalises.

1) "I sell a track": in reality, what are you selling?

In most cases, you are not selling "the music": you are granting a license (usage permission). Example: a creator wants to use your track on YouTube or a brand wants to use it in advertising. Without clear wording, the usage can become unlimited (territories, media, duration…).

Recommended starting point: music licensing contracts (territory, duration, media, monetisation, withdrawal/end of permission).

2) "I sell a beat": exclusive or non-exclusive?

If you sell beats, the number one risk is confusion: the buyer thinks they are buying "all rights" while you intended to authorise limited usage. A non-exclusive license (multiple sales) must specify limits (streams, clips, performances, monetisation). An (single buyer) must specify the withdrawal of other sales, the extent of usage and the compensation. exclusive licence Recommended model:

Beatmaker Pack (exclusive & non-exclusive) 3) The clause that protects your income: reporting + monetisation.

3) La clause qui protège vos revenus : reporting + monétisation

Many artists lose money not because the deal is 'bad', but because no one is held accountable. A clause of reporting (périodicité, formats, accès aux stats) et une clause de monétisation (qui encaisse quoi, quand et comment) rendent l’exploitation mesurable. C’est essentiel pour YouTube, TikTok, placements, synchros, et même certains deals de distribution.

Pour cadrer vos accords sur les œuvres : music publishing (splits, collecte, déclarations).

4) Les crédits : détail “simple” qui évite 80% des disputes

Crédit beatmaker, auteurs/compositeurs, featuring, producteurs : si ce n’est pas écrit, c’est rarement respecté. Un bon contrat impose un format de crédit précis (plateformes, descriptions, métadonnées), et prévoit une conséquence en cas de non-respect (correction, retrait, pénalité, etc.).

Si vous sortez un projet complet : recording contracts (sessions, masters, cessions).

Mini-checklist avant de publier / vendre

  • Territory : France, Europe, monde ?
  • Duration : 6 mois, 1 an, 3 ans, perpétuel ?
  • Supports : streaming, YouTube, pub, TV, jeux vidéo, live ?
  • Monétisation : qui encaisse, comment, quelles preuves ?
  • Credits : format exact + obligation de correction.
  • Release : résiliation, retrait, non-respect.

Si vous voulez aller vite sans vous tromper : faites le quiz (1 min) et récupérez le contract or the pack adapté.