Terms of service

Policy & Guidelines

Exclusive Rights | Stems | Beat Ownership | Buyouts

Effective Date: October 2023

Applies to: Al LDMG Members, Artists, Producers, and Studio Clients

1. Purpose

This policy outlines the terms and conditions governing access, ownership, and distribution of musical content created through LDMG Studio - including, but not limited to, beats, instrumentals, recordings, stems, and mixes. These guidelines are designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and professionalism in all creative collaborations between LDMG and its clients.

2. Membership vs. Hourly Sessions

A. Membership Packages

Active members enjoy access to premium creative services such as:

  • Original and non-exclusive beats

  • Studio time and engineering

  • Vocal training and production guidance

  • Collaborative songwriting and arrangement sessions

Membership grants access, not ownership. All original productions, beats, or stems created or provided during the active membership remain the intellectual property of LDMG and/or the original producer unless a separate buyout or exclusive rights agreement is executed in writing.

When membership ends, access to these materials and privileges is terminated.

B. Hourly Sessions

Hourly recording sessions cover studio time and vocal recording only.

Hourly clients do not receive:

  • Original or exclusive beats

  • Full production stems

  • Vocal training or arrangement sessions

These additional services are available through a membership plan or separate purchase agreement.

3. Exclusive Rights & Beat Ownership

A. Non-Exclusive Usage

Under membership or hourly plans, artists may record over and release music using LDMG-produced beats under non-exclusive rights. This means:

The artist may release and monetize their version of the song.

LDMG and/or its producers retain all ownership of the original beat.

The beat may continue to be used, modified, or licensed to other clients unless an exclusive buyout is completed.

B. Exclusive Rights / Buyouts

Exclusive rights transfer ownership of a beat or production from LDMG (and/or its producer) to the purchasing artist.

Exclusive rights must be purchased outright under a written buyout agreement, which specifies:

  • The buyout fee

  • Royalty or publishing splits (if applicable)

  • Transfer of ownership and master rights

Without a signed and completed buyout agreement, all productions remain property of LDMG.

4. Stems Policy

A. Beat Stems

Beat stems (individual instrumental tracks: drums, bass, keys, etc.) are considered exclusive production materials. These are not automatically distributed under membership or hourly session plans.

Beat stems will only be released after an exclusive buyout has been completed and cleared financially.

LDMG retains the right to withhold stems unless full ownership terms are met.

B. Vocal S t e m s

Artists always retain access to their vocal stems (individual recorded vocals), regardless of membership status, as these constitute the artist's performance property.

However, mixing or mastering services for these stems are billed separately or handled through active membership.

5. Production Collaboration & Publishing

Splits

When songs are created collaboratively between an artist and an LDMG producer, publishing and songwriting credits are shared unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Split sheets or publishing agreements should be completed at the time of session or prior to release.

Failure to execute split sheets does not void producer rights or ownership.

6. Membership Termination & Access

Upon cancellation or lapse of membership:

  • Access to exclusive content, original beats, and production stems are revoked.

  • Any previously granted use of beats remains non-exclusive.

  • Exclusive ownership can only be reinstated through a buyout agreement.

7. Communication & Documentation

All agreements, changes, or promises related to ownership, stems, or exclusivity must be documented in writing via email or signed agreement.

Verbal discussions or casual messages (including text or WhatsApp) are not binding contracts unless formalized.

8. Buyout Procedure

To initiate a buyout:

1. Request the specific track name(s) or projects) in writing.

2. LDMG will provide a buyout quote based on production value and release terms.

3. Upon payment and contract execution, LDMG will release:

  • Full production stems

  • Exclusive license or ownership documentation

  • Updated publishing/split sheet (if applicable)

9. Industry Comparisons (for Clarity)

The LDMG membership model operates similarly to:

  • A gym membership - granting access to equipment and facilities during active status. Once membership ends, access ends.

  • A software subscription - allowing use of professional tools while subscribed, but not ownership of the software itself.

Access does not equal ownership. Ownership requires a separate financial and contractual commitment.

10. Enforcement

LDMG reserves the right to:

  • Withhold or retract content where terms have been violated.

  • Pursue legal remedy for unauthorized use or distribution of unreleased or unlicensed stems

  • Deny future service to clients who violate these terms

LDMG Studio

Management & Legal Department