About Our Music Publishing Contracts

Music publishing contracts are used by publishing companies and songwriters to address rights to songs (lyrics and music). Publishing companies use music publishing co-publishing and songwriter agreements to contract with a songwriter to obtain the rights to their songs. Music publishing contracts are also used by publishers or songwriters to license the use of a song to third parties. Our experienced entertainment attorney drafts each of our music publishing agreements and regularly updates them to ensure that the contracts are current. You can learn more about the music publishing business by going to our Blog. If you have questions about our contracts, our knowledgeable staff is happy to help.

• Music Publisher Contract Package

• Co-Publishing Agreement

• Co-Publishing Agreement (Record Company Affiliate)

• Composition License for Theatrical Play

• Mechanical License

• Music Publishing Agreement

• Music Publishing Agreement (Record Company Affiliate)

• Parental Consent and Guarantee (Used With Minors)

• Publishing Administration Agreement

• Publishing Catalog Acquisition Agreement

• Release Agreement

• Single Song Collaboration Agreement

• Single Song Publishing Agreement

• Song Plugger Agreement

• Songwriter Agreement

• Songwriter Split Sheet

• Synchronization License

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 (the cover song) for including on the recording artist's record for distribution and sale to the public.

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

The 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 the income and the publisher receiving 100% of the publisher share of the 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 a by an individual or company to administrate 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 Contract is used when a two or more songwriters agree in advance to write together to co-write a song. This agreement provides a choice between each writer administrating each of 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 administrate the publishing to only one of the writer's songs. This can also be used by a publishing company that is 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 and artists or other third party users of songs for the songwriter.

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

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