6 Steps to Publish a Song to ASCAP with a Leased Beat

Publishing your song to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) with a leased beat is a crucial step in protecting your rights as a songwriter and ensuring that you receive proper compensation for your work. By registering your song with ASCAP, you are essentially informing the world that you are the owner of the composition and that any unauthorized use of your music will result in legal consequences. Additionally, ASCAP will collect royalties on your behalf whenever your song is played on the radio, streamed online, or used in any other public performance setting.

The process of publishing a song to ASCAP with a leased beat is relatively straightforward, but it is important to follow the correct steps to ensure that your song is properly registered. First, you will need to create an account with ASCAP. Once you have created an account, you will need to fill out a song registration form, which will include information about the song’s title, lyrics, and melody. You will also need to provide ASCAP with a copy of your leased beat agreement.

Once you have submitted your song registration form, ASCAP will review your application and issue you a copyright registration number. This number will serve as proof that you are the owner of the song and that you have registered it with ASCAP. It is important to keep your copyright registration number in a safe place, as you may need to provide it to venues or other organizations in order to prove that you have the right to perform or use your song.

Understanding the ASCAP Registration Process

Registering a Song with a Leased Beat

When submitting a song composed using a leased beat, it’s crucial to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions set by the producer. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the ASCAP registration process for songs with leased beats:

Review the Lease Agreement: Carefully examine the terms of the beat lease, paying specific attention to provisions regarding ownership, royalties, and ASCAP registration.
Obtain Written Permission: If the lease agreement requires written permission to register the song with ASCAP, reach out to the producer and request their authorization.
Compose and Record the Song: Create the song by incorporating the leased beat and your original lyrics and melody.
Register with ASCAP: Complete the online registration form at ASCAP’s website, providing all necessary information, including the song title, writers, and a sound recording of the song. Select the appropriate work registration type (e.g., Song with Non-Member Co-Writer).
Indicate Beat Lease: In the “Additional Information” section of the registration form, acknowledge the use of a leased beat and provide the details of the lease agreement (e.g., lease number, producer name).
Submit the Registration: Once all the required information is complete, submit the registration form and pay the applicable fees.

Ownership	Royalties
Producer retains ownership of the beat.	Royalties are typically shared between the songwriter, vocalist, and producer according to the terms of the lease agreement.

Selecting a Leased Beat for ASCAP Publication

Choosing the right leased beat is crucial for publishing your song with ASCAP. Here are three key factors to consider when selecting a beat:

Exclusivity and Licensing Rights

Ensure you have exclusive or non-exclusive rights to the beat. Exclusive rights grant you full ownership and control, while non-exclusive rights allow others to use the same beat, possibly restricting your publishing options.

Verify the licensing agreement includes ASCAP publishing rights. This will allow you to register the song with ASCAP and collect royalties when it is played or performed.

Quality and Suitability

The beat should align with your song’s style, mood, and tempo. Choose beats that are well-produced, have clear instrumentation, and are suitable for your target audience.

Consider the following elements:

Element	Impact on Song
Tempo	Sets the pace and feel of the song
Instrumentation	Creates the musical atmosphere and texture
Harmony and Melody	Influences the overall mood and direction of the song

Legal Considerations

Obtain proper clearance from the beatmaker or copyright holder before using their beat. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences.

Review the license agreement carefully to understand the terms of use, including any restrictions on distribution, reproduction, or modification.

Creating an ASCAP Account and Membership

To publish a song to ASCAP with a leased beat, you must first create an ASCAP account and membership. Here’s how to do it:

Go to the ASCAP website (www.ascap.com) and click on “Join ASCAP.”
Select the membership type that best suits your needs and click on “Join Now.”
Fill out the membership application form with your personal and contact information. You will also need to provide information about your music and your role in the music industry. The form may require you to answer questions like:
- What is your primary instrument or songwriting role?
- What musical genres do you write or perform in?
- Do you have any previous experience with music publishing or songwriting?
- Have you ever been a member of ASCAP or another performing rights organization?
- Do you collaborate with other songwriters or musicians?
- What are your goals for joining ASCAP?
Submit the completed application form and pay the applicable membership fee.
Once your application is approved, you will receive an ASCAP membership number and a welcome packet with information about your membership benefits and obligations.

Completing the ASCAP Song Registration Form

To register your song with ASCAP, you’ll need to fill out a Song Registration Form. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

4. Submitting Your Form Online

Once you’ve completed the Song Registration Form, you can submit it online through ASCAP’s website. Here’s how:

Go to the ASCAP Song Registration website: https://www.ascap.com/register-a-song
Click on the “Register a Song” button.
Fill out the online form with the same information you provided on the paper form.
Click on the “Submit” button.

After you submit your form online, ASCAP will review it and assign your song a unique Song ID. You’ll also receive a confirmation email with your Song ID and other important information.

Providing Accurate Songwriter and Beat Producer Information

When registering your song with ASCAP, it’s crucial to provide accurate information about the songwriters and beat producers. Here are some guidelines to ensure accuracy and avoid any potential issues:

1. Identify All Songwriters

Make sure to list every songwriter who contributed to the creation of the song, regardless of the percentage of their contribution.

2. Obtain Written Agreements

If you leased the beat from a beat producer, obtain a written agreement that outlines the terms of the lease and specifies their ownership percentage in the song.

3. Use Legal Names

Register all songwriters and beat producers using their legal names, as this is how they will be identified in ASCAP’s database.

4. Provide Contact Information

Include complete and accurate contact information for all songwriters and beat producers, including their addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.

5. Specify Beat Producer’s Ownership

In the ASCAP registration form, there is a specific section dedicated to beat producers. Here, you need to provide detailed information about the beat producer, including:

Full legal name
ASCAP membership number (if applicable)
Ownership percentage in the song
Type of beat lease agreement (e.g., exclusive, non-exclusive)
Lease Agreement Document (upload a copy of the written lease agreement)

By providing accurate and complete information, you ensure that all parties involved in the creation of the song are properly credited and compensated.

Uploading Your Song File with a Leased Beat

1. Obtain Permission from the Beat Lease Holder

Secure authorization from the producer who owns the beat lease for use in your published song. This step ensures compliance with copyright laws.

2. Register with ASCAP

Create an account on the ASCAP website if you haven’t already. ASCAP will collect royalties on your behalf for any public performances of your song.

3. Add Metadata to Your Track

Provide essential information about your song, including the title, artist name, songwriters, and any featured artists. This metadata will help identify your song and track its usage.

4. Choose the Proper Registration Option

Select the "Cover Song with Leased Beat" option when registering your song. This option indicates that you are using a pre-existing beat but claiming ownership of the lyrics and melody.

5. Upload Your Audio File

Navigate to the ASCAP portal and upload the audio file of your song in MP3 format. Ensure a high-quality recording for optimal representation.

6. Provide Beat Lease Information

In the Beat Lease Information section, enter the following details:

Beat Lease Contract: Provide the legal document that outlines the terms of the beat lease.
Lease Holder Name: Specify the full name of the beat producer who granted the lease.
Lease Contract Date: Indicate the date when the beat lease agreement was signed.
Beat Title: Enter the name of the beat that you used in your song.
Beat Producer: Provide the name of the individual or entity who created the beat.
Beat Registration Number: Include any available registration number associated with the beat.

Submitting Your ASCAP Song Registration

Once you’ve created your ASCAP account and entered your song information, it’s time to submit your song registration. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through each step:

1. Log in to Your ASCAP Account

Go to the ASCAP website and log in using your username and password.

2. Click on “Register a Song”

From the main menu, select “Register a Song” located under the “Song Registration” tab.

3. Enter Your Song Information

Fill out all the required fields, including the song title, writer(s), publisher(s), and duration.

4. Specify Lease Information

Indicate that you are using a leased beat by selecting “Yes” in the “Using a Leased Beat” section.

5. Provide Leased Beat Information

Enter the name and contact information of the beat producer who provided the leased beat.

6. Upload Audio File and Lyrics

Upload a high-quality audio file of your song and a copy of the lyrics.

7. Review and Submit

Carefully review all the information you have entered and make any necessary changes. Once you are satisfied with the registration, click the “Submit” button to complete your submission.

Field	Description
Song Title	The official name of your song.
Writer(s)	List all songwriters involved in creating the song.
Publisher(s)	Indicate the publisher who will handle the rights to your song. (If you don’t have one, indicate “Independent”)
Duration	Enter the length of your song in minutes and seconds.
Beat Producer	Provide the name and contact information of the producer who provided the leased beat.
Audio File	Upload a high-quality recording of your song as an MP3 or WAV file.
Lyrics	Provide a copy of the complete lyrics for your song.

Understanding ASCAP Royalties and Song Usage

Types of ASCAP Royalties

ASCAP collects royalties on behalf of its members in two main categories:

1. Performing Rights: Royalties paid when a song is performed publicly, such as on the radio, in concert, or on streaming services.

2. Mechanical Rights: Royalties paid when a song is reproduced mechanically, such as on physical CDs, vinyl records, or digital downloads.

Song Usage

When you register a song with ASCAP, you specify how the song can be used. Common usage categories include:

Public Performances: Live performances, radio airplay, TV broadcasts
Commercial Recordings: CDs, vinyl records, digital downloads
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music

Splitting Royalties with Other Writers

If multiple writers contribute to a song, ASCAP allows you to specify the percentage of royalties each writer receives.

Registering a Leased Beat

If you are using a leased beat for your song, you must register the beat with ASCAP separately from your song.

To do this, you will need to:

Contact the producer of the beat and request a cue sheet.
Complete an ASCAP Cue Sheet registration form.
Submit the form and cue sheet to ASCAP.

Reporting Song Usage

Once your song is registered, you are responsible for reporting any usage that generates royalties. ASCAP provides a variety of reporting tools to make this process easy.

Distributing Royalties

ASCAP distributes royalties to its members on a quarterly basis. Royalties are divided based on the number of times a song is used and the percentage splits specified for each writer.

International Copyright

If you want your song to be protected internationally, you can register it with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in addition to ASCAP.

Monitoring Your Song’s Performance with ASCAP

ASCAP offers a range of tools and services to help you track your song’s performance and maximize your royalties. Here’s a detailed overview:

ASCAP Online Access

Income reports detailing royalties earned from various sources
Performance history showing when and where your song has been played
Billing information to track your payments

Performance and Airplay Monitoring

ASCAP continuously monitors millions of radio, TV, and online platforms to capture your song’s performances and broadcasts. This data is used to calculate your royalties and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Customizable Reports

Customize reports to view specific performance metrics, such as performance by region, platform, or date range. This allows you to identify trends, analyze your audience, and optimize your promotional strategies.

Digital Performance Data

ASCAP tracks performances from digital platforms such as streaming services, online radio, and social media. This data provides valuable insights into the online reach of your music and helps you understand your audience’s listening habits.

International Performance Monitoring

ASCAP has partnerships with international performance rights organizations to monitor your song’s performances worldwide. This ensures you receive royalties for any performances in other countries.

Performance Audits

ASCAP conducts regular audits of performance data to verify accuracy and prevent underreporting. This helps ensure you receive all the royalties you are entitled to.

SongVault

Submit your leased beat to ASCAP’s SongVault, a database that stores information about your song’s ownership and rights holders. This helps ensure that proper credits and royalties are assigned when your song is used or performed.

Performance Tracking for Leased Beats

When you use a leased beat, ASCAP will track its performances and distribute royalties accordingly. However, it’s important to ensure that the beat producer is listed as a co-writer or co-owner on your song’s registration to avoid any disputes.

Legal Considerations for Leased Beats in ASCAP Registrations

When registering a song with leased beat on ASCAP, it’s crucial to consider the following legal considerations:

1. Copyright Ownership

The copyright of a leased beat typically belongs to the beat producer. You only have a limited license to use the beat in your song.

2. Mechanical License

When you record a song using a leased beat, you need to obtain a mechanical license from the beat producer. This license allows you to reproduce and distribute the song.

3. Split Sheets

Split sheets are legal documents that specify the percentage of ownership and royalties each songwriter and producer is entitled to. Ensure you have a clear split sheet with the beat producer.

4. Co-Authorship and Credits

In some cases, the beat producer may be considered a co-author of the song. Be sure to give proper credit to the producer in the ASCAP registration.

5. Exclusive Rights

Some beat licenses may grant you exclusive rights to the beat, meaning no one else can use it. However, most leased beats are non-exclusive.

6. Unauthorized Use

Using a leased beat without proper authorization can result in copyright infringement. Always follow the terms of the beat license.

7. Sampling Clearance

If a leased beat contains samples from other songs, you may need to obtain additional clearances before registering the song with ASCAP.

8. Registration Accuracy

Provide accurate information about the beat producer and all songwriters when registering with ASCAP. Including the correct writer and publisher shares is crucial.

9. Copyright Protection

Registering your song with ASCAP provides copyright protection for your written and musical composition. However, it does not protect the beat itself.

10. Legal Advice

If you have any legal questions or concerns about leased beats or ASCAP registrations, seek professional legal advice from an entertainment attorney.

How to Publish a Song to ASCAP with a Leased Beat

If you’re a songwriter or music producer, you may want to consider publishing your song with ASCAP. ASCAP is a performing rights organization that represents both songwriters and music publishers. By registering your song with ASCAP, you can ensure that you receive royalties whenever your song is played publicly.

If you’re using a leased beat for your song, you’ll need to get permission from the beatmaker before you can publish it. Once you have permission, you can follow these steps to publish your song to ASCAP:

Create an ASCAP account.
Register your song with ASCAP. You’ll need to provide the song title, songwriter(s), publisher(s), and other information.
Submit a copy of your song to ASCAP. You can either upload a digital file or mail a physical copy.
Pay the registration fee. The fee is $50 for non-members and $25 for members.

Once your song is registered with ASCAP, you’ll be able to track your royalties online. You can also get a list of all the places your song has been played.