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Licensing guideLicensing, made clear.
Know what you sell. Know what buyers can do.
Short, plain-language guides for guitar creators who sell tabs, backing tracks, loops and lesson packs — and for buyers who want to use them the right way.
- 01Own itCheck you wrote and recorded what you sell.
- 02Pick the licencePersonal or commercial, royalty-free or exclusive.
- 03Say it plainlyAdd a short “allowed / not allowed” block.
- 04List & keep recordsUpload, then save your proof of ownership.
Which licence fits?
Pick a type to see what the buyer gets.
Personal licence
Best for: tabs, scores, lesson packs, practice tracks
- Download, print and practise
- Play along at home or in lessons
- Non-commercial live play (if your terms allow)
- Monetised videos or releases
- Sharing or reselling the files
Commercial licence
Best for: creators, YouTubers, artists, client work
- Monetised YouTube, TikTok, Instagram
- Streaming releases, podcasts, ads, games
- Paid courses using the material
- Reselling the files on their own
- Registering your audio in Content ID
Royalty-free (non-exclusive)
Best for: loops, sound packs, backing tracks
- Pay once, use under the licence terms
- You can sell the same item to many buyers
- Use inside the buyer's own music
- Not “copyright-free” — you keep ownership
- No repackaging or redistributing samples
Exclusive licence
Best for: custom instrumentals, artist releases
- One buyer only, priced higher
- You stop licensing that item to others
- Still a licence unless copyright is transferred
- Selling the same item again
- Assuming it is a full buyout
Read in order, or jump in
5 guides · new articles appear here automatically.
How Music Licensing Works for Guitar Creators
A plain-language guide to music licensing for guitar creators: composition vs recording rights, what a licence covers and the licence types you can offer.
02Personal vs Commercial Music Licence: What Buyers Can Do
The difference between personal and commercial licences for guitar tabs, backing tracks and sound packs, and how to explain it clearly on every listing.
03Royalty-Free vs Exclusive Licensing for Backing Tracks and Loops
What royalty-free really means, how exclusive licences work, and which model to choose for backing tracks, loops and guitar sound packs.
04Selling Guitar Tabs and Covers of Songs You Didn’t Write
Why tabs and covers of famous songs need the publisher's permission, what you can sell freely, and safe ways to build cover-inspired content.
05Music Licensing Checklist Before You Sell Your Work
A five-step licensing checklist for guitar creators: confirm ownership, choose the licence, write a clear summary, prepare files and keep records.
Common questions
Can I sell a tab of a famous song?
Usually not without the publisher's permission — a tab is a copy of the composition. Original riffs, lessons and public-domain music are safe. Read the full guide.
Does “royalty-free” mean free to use?
No. The buyer pays once and avoids per-stream fees, but you keep the copyright and the licence terms still apply.
Can buyers use my backing track on YouTube?
Only with a commercial licence. Tell buyers whether your audio is registered with Content ID so their videos aren't claimed.
What should every listing say?
Licence type, what is allowed, what is not, and the credit line. Use the pre-listing checklist.
Put your licence on every product.
Upload your work, write clear metadata and reach buyers in the Marketplace.
These guides are general information, not legal advice. Copyright rules vary by country.