Music Business Contracts :: Circulars :: Copyright Info :: Useful Documents

 

Music Publisher Contract Package $39.99
39 essential documents
All documents in this package are provided to you in Adobe's PDF format (download Reader for free) upon processing of your payment.



The contracts contained in this package are used by music publishers entering agreements with various parties. These documents help protect the music publisher when entering into an agreement with a record label, other publishing company, music artists and their managers, and others. These contracts will assist you in entering into various agreements including, but not limited to, song copyright and licensing assignments, to song royalty arrangements and subpublishing agreements.

Royalty Agreement #1 (5 pages)
This agreement entered into by a writer and a publisher after the completion of musical works. All rights to the work are transferred to the publisher and an agreement on the writer's and publisher's percentage share of royalties is agreed upon.
Useful for: Publishers, Singer/Songwriters

Royalty Agreement #2 (4 pages)
This agreement entered into by a writer and a publisher after the completion of musical composition. All rights to the work are transferred to the publisher and an agreement on the composer's and publisher's percentage share of royalties is agreed upon. (Select this version for an agreement with a musical composer, not a singer)
Useful for: Publishers, Singer/Songwriters

Royalty Schedule (3 pages)
These pages usually serve as an addendum to an agreement between talent and publisher. This schedule determines the allocation of royalties for particular musical works.
Useful for: Publishers, Singers/Songwriters, Producers, Record Companies

Short-form Copyright Assignment (1 page)
This agreement is used to acknowledge the fact that, a certain musical services provided are deemed as "work made for hire".
Useful for: Producers, Singer/Songwriters, Artist/Bands, Publishers

Single-Song Option (1 page)
This agreement made between a publisher and songwriter is used to return all song rights back to the writer if the song is never released by a certain date. Writer is liable for all fees incurred in the song's production if rights return.
Useful for: Producers, Singer/Songwriters, Artist/Bands, Publishers, Producers,

Songwriter Contract (6 pages)
This agreement is the standard agreement for songwriters granting the rights of musical works to a publisher. The publisher may shop the song to various contacts and agrees to pay songwriter royalties for every piece of sheet music sold and for royalties due from a song's use in a film or album.
Useful for: Producers, Singer/Songwriters, Artist/Bands, Publishers

Studio Contract (2 pages)
This agreement is made between a studio owner and his/her client. This agreement details the studio's hourly rate, cancellation policies, security policies, etc.
Useful for: Studio Owners

Sub-Publishing Agreement (4 pages)
This agreement is entered into by, the owner of a musical work and a party that wishes to obtain certain rights to the composition. The territory of the license, the amount paid by the sub-publisher, and the royalties entitled to the owner are all major sections in this contract.
Useful for: Publishers, Singer/Songwriters, Managers, Record Companies, and Artist/Bands

Property Sale Agreement (2 pages)
This is an agreement made between a buyer and seller of specific merchandise. Buyer agrees to accept the merchandise as is, and may contract the services of a technician to determine the quality of the merchandise before the transaction takes place. Sale price, description, and serial numbers of goods is determined here.
Useful for: All Categories

Publisher-Record Company (1 page)
This agreement between a publisher and a record company gives the record company the non-exclusive right to manufacture and sell musical works owned by the publisher. The record company agrees to pay the publisher royalties determined in this agreement.
Useful for: Publishers, Singer/Songwriters

Publisher Royalty Sharing Agreement (2 pages)
This agreement is between a publisher and another party. It is used to grant 50% of a certain musical composition's royalties to an assignee. This is different from a co-publisher agreement, in that all rights to issue sub-licenses are reserved for ony the publisher.
Useful for: Publishers, Singer/Songwriters

Publisher-to-Publisher
Publisher - Songwriter Agreement (1 page)
This agreement between a publisher and a songwriter is used to grant the copyright of certain musical compositions to a songwriter for a determined sum of money.
Useful for: Publishers, Singer/Songwriters

Publishing Agreement (5 pages)
This agreement is made between a publisher and a writer. This agreement gives a publisher the rights to certain unpublished compositions composed by the writer. In return, the publisher agrees to pay the writer royalties on money earned by the publisher for the proceeds received from the sales of the musical composition. The share to be given to each writer is determined here.
Useful for: Publishers, Singer/Songwriters

Joint Venture Contract #1 (2 pages)
This agreement is made between a publisher, master producer, and a record company. The joint venture is given a name and the nature of the joint venture's business is the publishing, production, and promotion of musical compositions. Each party contributes a certain amount of money and is designated a percentage share of the business' net profits.
Useful for: Record Company, publisher, singer/songwriter, producer, manager

Joint Venture Contract #2 (2 pages)
This agreement is made between a publisher, a distribution company, and a record company. The joint venture is given a name and the nature of the joint venture's business is the publishing, production, and promotion of musical compositions. Each party contributes a certain amount of money and is designated a percentage share of the business' net profits.
Useful for: Record Company, publisher, singer/songwriter, producer, manager

Master Recording License (4 pages)
This agreement is made between the owner of certain musical compositions and usually a record company. The owner gives the record company the right to exclusive distribution of the said Master. The record company agrees to give the owner an advance against future royalties and holds the owner liable for paying necessary publishers as soon as they are paid. Song titles, Composers, Publishers, and Artists are all determined here.
Useful for: Record Company, Publishers, Producers, Singer /Songwriters

Master Track License (4 pages)
This agreement is made between the owner of certain music video performances and a licensee. The owner gives the licensee the non-exclusive right to the distribution of the videogram. The assignee agrees to give the owner a determined sum of money agrees to pay the owner a certain amount of money per unit sold. Licensee must give licensor screen credits and also give the artist the ability to approve the videos use.
Useful for: Video Production, Record Company, Publishers, Producers, Singer /Songwriters

Master Use Recording License (2 pages)
This agreement gives the producer of a certain film the right to record, rerecord, reproduce and perform the film's master musical composition. The producer of the film agrees to pay the licensor of the music royalties from the any theatrical exhibitions, subscriptions, or video sales of the film.
Useful for: Video Production, Record Company, Publishers, Producers, Singer /Songwriters

Mechanical License (2 pages)
This agreement gives a licensee the right to record, reproduce, market and sell certain musical compositions. Licensee must give the owner determined royalties from the sales of the compositions.
Useful for: Record Company, Publishers, Producers, Singer /Songwriters

Mechanical License #2 (2 pages)
This agreement gives a record company the right to distribute, reproduce, market and sell certain musical compositions owned by a publisher. Record Company must give the publisher the current statutory royalty rate from the sales of the compositions.
Useful for: Record Company, Publishers, Producers, Singer /Songwriters

Mechanical Rights (1 page)
This agreement is used to grant the non-exclusive, and non-transferable license to use a compositions words and/or music in the recording, manufacturing, and distribution of records. A determined royalty rate will be paid to the owner of the work(s) on every manufactured or distributed copy of the composition.
Useful for: Record Company, Publishers, Singers / Songwriters

Motion Picture Sync License (2 pages)
This agreement is between a music publisher and the producer of a motion picture. The publisher gives the producer the non-exclusive and non-transferable right to use the music in conjunction with the film only. A determined amount of money will be given to the publisher upon the receipt of the music. Each music selection is listed here, including writers, publishers, and use.
Useful for: Publisher, Manager, Singer / Songwriter, Artist / Band, Video Production

Music Technical Advisor and Consultant (1 page)
This agreement is made between a company and musical consultant for a certain project. Consultant agrees to attend certain recording and mixing sessions and will give instructions in reference to the instrumentation, arrangement, and technical viability of the composition. The consultant will receive a determined amount of money upon the completion of the mixing session. This agreement is usually used when a video production company needs the assistance of an expert to assist them with the production of the film's soundtrack.

Useful for: Publisher, Manager, Singer / Songwriter, Artist / Band, Video Production

Parental Consent (1 page)
The parent or guardian of a minor enters into this agreement. The minor wishes to enter into a contractual agreement with a company. The parent agrees to guarantee the fulfillment of the minor's duties and agrees to enforce the minor's performance.
Useful for: Publisher, Manager, Singer / Songwriter, Artist / Band, Video Production, Record Company

Partnership Agreement
This agreement is made between individuals who wish to form a partnership. The name, place, description and term of the business is listed here. Each partner's initial investment of capital and the partner's proportion of the share of profit or loss is also determined here.
Useful for: All Categories

Photographer Agreement (1 page)
This agreement is made between a photographer and a client. The client agrees to pay the photographer a determined fee for the one-time serves of the photographer. The rights, copyrights, titles, and interests of the photos taken are to be solely owned by the client.
Useful for: Managers, Publishers, Record Companies, Artist / Band

Broadcast Agreement (3 pages)
This agreement grants a client the permission to record an artist's performance, for the re-broadcasting on a syndicated radio program. Copies of this recording may not be licensed, leased or sold to anyone except as it relates to the radio broadcast. Artist performance place, date, hours, load-in, and sound check time are listed here.
Useful for: Managers, Publishers, Record Companies, Artist / Band

Broadcast Release - simple (1 page)
This agreement grants a client the permission to record an artist's performance, for the re-broadcasting on a syndicated radio program. Copies of this recording may not be licensed, leased or sold to anyone except as it relates to the radio broadcast. Artist receives no compensation and agrees to his / her likeness to be used in promotional or advertising material.
Useful for: Managers, Publishers, Record Companies, Artist / Band

Broad Rights License (4 pages)
This agreement is used to give a motion picture producer the non-exclusive right to use a publisher's musical composition in their motion picture. A certain sum of money is given to the publisher for the public exhibition and video release of the film. A separate payment arrangement must be considered after the film sells in the excess of 50,000 units.
Useful for: Managers, Publishers, Record Companies, Artist / Band, Video Production, Producer

Commercial Agreement (3 pages)
This agreement is used to agreement to the development of music for a radio/television commercial. The length, style, and lyrics are listed in this agreement. The licensor of the music retains all rights to the music, melody, and lyrics, and agrees not to license the composition to any other company within a 100-mile radius. The purchaser will pay a determined amount in two phases.
Useful for: Managers, Publishers, Record Companies, Artist / Band, Video Production, Producer

Composer Agreement (12 pages)
This agreement is made between a composer and the producer of a specified motion picture. Producer employs the services of a composer to score the film. Composer will receive compensation for the production of the film's score, payable in three phases, and will be given a copy of the VHS and poster for the film.
Useful for: Managers, Publishers, Record Companies, Artist / Band, Video Production, Producer

Co-Publishing Agreement (1 page)
This agreement is between two parties who wish to split the ownership of a musical composition, usually as a result of collaboration on a musical project.
Useful for: Singers/Songwriters, Artist/Bands, Publishers, Managers, Record Co.

Copyright License Transfer (1 page)
This agreement is used to completely transfer all rights of a musical work from one person/company to another person/company.
Useful for: All Categories

Copyright License Assignment #1 (1 page)
This agreement is between a publisher and, typically, a record company who wishes to have the non-exclusive right to sell the musical works for a predetermined price per record or album.
Useful for: Music Publishers, Singer/Songwriters, Record Companies, Producers/DJ's

Employment Agreement (5 pages)
This agreement is designed to the employment of an executive to a company. This agreement lays out the employee's title, duties, compensation, terms and benefits.
Useful for: All categories except Artist/Band

Exclusive Songwriter (7 pages)
This agreement is made between a songwriter and a music publisher. Publisher employs a songwriter as an exclusive writer for the company. Composition rights are granted to the publisher and writer will receive compensation for public performance, wholesale sales, and other mechanical rights.
Useful for: Music Publishers

Artist - Master Producer (1 page)
This is agreement made between an artist and the master music producer for a certain percentage of the royalties received by the artist from their record company for product sold.
Useful for: Artist/Band, Producer, Manager, Publishers, Record Companies

Artist - Producer Agreement (3 pages)
This is an agreement between an artist and a producer. Producer agrees to produce a technically satisfactory master recording for a determined royalty payment. Artist maintains rights to the copyright of the work. Producer assists in pursuing a record production agreement with a major label. If a label agreement is made, producer receives a determined commission from the artist's advance.
Useful for: Artist/Band, Producer, Manager, Publishers

Artist Recording Agreement (2 pages)
This agreement is made between a company and a music artist, whereas the artist agrees to provide services in connection with the production of recording works for a certain period of time and royalty arrangement.
Useful for: Artist/Band, Producer, Manager, Publishers, Record Companies




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