Music Publishing Contracts

The contracts contained in this package are used to set up and run an independent publishing company. There are some contracts that will be used if the publishing company is affiliated with an independent record label.

The Co-Publishing Agreement is used by a publishing company to contract with a songwriter to acquire 50% of the copyrights to the song, with the writer keeping 100% of the writer's share and sharing 50% of the publisher's share of the income with the publisher.

The Co-Publishing Agreement is used by a publishing company affiliated with a record company to contract with a songwriter who is also an artist signed to the label, to acquire 50% of the copyrights to the song with the writer keeping 100% of the writer's share and sharing 50% of the publisher's share of the income with the publisher.

The Composition License for Theatrical Play is used by a theatrical producer or creator of a theatrical or musical play to contract with a songwriter, or the songwriter's publisher, to use a song in the play or musical.

This Mechanical License is used when an artist, or a record company on behalf of its recording artist, wishes to record a song written by someone else (a cover song) for inclusion on the recording artist's record for distribution and sale to the public.

This Music Publishing Agreement is used by a publishing company to contract with a writer and acquire the copyrights to songs written by the writer during the term of the contract. The writer receives 100% of the writer's share of income and the publisher receives 100% of the publisher's share of income.

The Music Publishing Agreement (Record Company Affiliate) is used by a publishing company affiliated with a record company to contract with a songwriter who is also an artist signed to the label, to acquire the copyrights to the song with the writer receiving 100% of the writer's share of income and the publisher receiving 100% of the publisher's share of income.

The Parental Consent and Guarantee is a document that is used when a minor (under the age of 18) is being signed to a contract and the contracting party wants a parent or guardian to provide both a consent for the minor to enter into the contract and an agreement to be liable for the performance of the contract.

The Publishing Administration Agreement is used by an individual or company to administer the publishing of a songwriter.

This Publishing Catalog Acquisition Agreement is used when an existing publishing company buys the catalog of a songwriter or publisher.

This Release Agreement is a contract used when a publisher and songwriter agree to release each other from the obligations under a contract previously signed by both parties.

The Single Song Collaboration Agreement is used when two or more songwriters agree in advance to co-write a song together. This agreement provides a choice between each writer administering their own publishing, or one writer acting as the sole administrator.

The Single Song Publishing Agreement is used when a publishing company and a writer agree to have the publishing company exploit and administer the publishing of only one of the writer's songs. This can also be used by a publishing company affiliated with a record label.

The Song Plugger Agreement is used by a person who will shop a songwriter's songs to record labels, publishing companies, producers, artists, or other third-party users of songs on the songwriter's behalf.

The Songwriter Agreement is used by a publishing company to contract with a songwriter who agrees to write a minimum number of songs during each contract period. This agreement is typically used when contracting with a songwriter whose job is to write songs for others, as opposed to an artist who naturally writes songs to record and release. In this agreement, the publisher owns 100% of the copyrights to the songs and pays the songwriter 50% of the income generated from the songs.

The Songwriter Split Sheet is a simple contract used when two or more songwriters co-write a song and want to acknowledge their co-ownership and list their percentages of ownership.

The Synchronization License is used by a film, video, or television producer to contract with a songwriter or the songwriter's publisher to use a song in a film, video, music video, television program, or television advertisement whereby the song is synchronized to the action on the screen.