Home | About | Advisors | Loan Limits | Commissions | Publishing Deals | Music Production | Client's Photos | Testimonials | Contact Us | Buy Now

Music Publishing Deals

dollar-split.jpg

themusicpowers.jpg

Taken from the book "The Music Powers That Be"

 

For the most part, publishing agreements vary from writer to writer, and publisher to publisher. But, there are a few concerns that all songwriters and producers need to take in mind when considering a publishing deal. Also, please remember - as stated in previous chapters and sections; if you are expecting to sign into a music publishing situation, I highly advise that you find an experienced entertainment attorney to guide and counsel you before signing into any publishing agreement or contract.

OK - basically the way a song is split up is into 2 different halves; the writer's share, and then the Publisher's share. So, for 100% of all publishing revenues that a particular song generates, it will be 50% for the songwriter(s), and 50% for the publisher(s).

songwriter-split.jpg

Now, there are different types of publishing deals.  There are single-song deals, as well as year-to-year deals with options, etc.  Also, there is the standard exclusive songwriter publishing deal, where the publisher will advance the songwriter money, and then in essence own the copyright of the song(s).

 

WHAT IS AN EXCLUSIVE SONGWRITER AGREEMENT?

A contract between a publisher and a songwriter in which the songwriter assigns all songs written during the term of the contract to the publisher in return for a percentage of royalty income. Such an agreement usually involves advances paid by the publisher to the songwriter. 

An example of what a standard exclusive songwriter-publishing contract might say:


contract-sample3.jpg

 The “standard” publishing deal is a most times a complete “split” of all the income the song(s) generate; 50% for the songwriter, and 50% for the publisher, but, the publisher will normally have given the writer an advance of some kind, so the publisher will not pay the writer any money collected for any songwriter royalties until the advance has been recovered via mechanical royalties, performance royalties, etc.

contract-sample4.jpg

mechanical-royalty-bmi-ascap.jpg

 Then there are co-publishing deals, where the songwriter has his or her own publishing company, and makes a deal with a second publisher, and both publishers many times may co-own the copyright and publisher’s share of income.  In this situation, most times an advance in also given that has to be recouped.

An example of a co-publishing agreement’s copyright language:

contract-sample5.jpg

The basic split of income from a song in this type of co-publishing deal will be 50% for the songwriter, 25% for the songwriter’s publishing company that he or she owns, and the remaining 25% for the publishing company he or she does the co-publishing deal with.  Over all it will be a 75%-25% split (if no administration fees, etc are calculated in). Or maybe an easier way of thinking of it will just be that the writer keeps his or her writer’s share, and then the publishing share will be split 50/50, or whatever the agreed upon deal is.

An example of a co-publishing agreement’s percentage language:

contract-sample6.jpg

Music Managers

toomp120.jpg

musiccontractsbusiness.jpg

Music Industry Contacts

The 2012 Management Contact Book
Professional Pack on Sale

contracts85.jpg

 

themusicpowers.jpg