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Songwriter Collaboration Agreement Generator

Define the terms for creative collaboration on musical compositions. Establish copyright ownership, royalty divisions, credit attribution, and publishing rights.

What is a Songwriter Collaboration Agreement?

A Songwriter Collaboration Agreement is a legal contract between two or more songwriters who work together to create musical compositions, establishing the rights, ownership, and responsibilities related to jointly created works. This agreement defines copyright ownership percentages, outlines revenue splitting arrangements, addresses publishing rights, establishes credit attribution requirements, defines decision-making authority for licensing, details how future modifications will be handled, and sets terms for termination of the collaboration. It provides a clear framework for creative partnerships while preventing misunderstandings about ownership and financial interests in the musical compositions that result from the collaboration.

Key Sections Typically Included:

  • Parties and Relationship Definition
  • Scope of Collaboration
  • Ownership Percentages
  • Copyright Registration
  • Royalty Splitting Arrangements
  • Credit Attribution Requirements
  • Publishing Rights and Administration
  • Decision-Making Authority
  • Licensing and Synchronization Rights
  • Performance Rights Organization Registration
  • Derivative Works and Samples
  • Demo Recording Provisions
  • Confidentiality Requirements
  • Future Modifications or Arrangements
  • Dispute Resolution Process
  • Termination of Collaboration
  • Survival of Rights Post-Termination
  • Assignment Restrictions

Why Use Our Generator?

Our Songwriter Collaboration Agreement generator helps music creators establish clear parameters for their creative partnerships. With the complex nature of music copyrights and revenue streams, a comprehensive agreement ensures all contributors understand their ownership rights and financial interests in jointly created works. Our generator creates a customized agreement that clearly outlines copyright ownership, royalty splits, and decision-making authority, helping to prevent disputes while allowing songwriters to focus on their creative process with confidence and clarity about business matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: How should ownership and copyright provisions be structured?

    • A: The agreement should clearly define ownership percentages for each songwriter with specific splits for each song if applicable, establish copyright registration procedures and responsibility, and address whether the work is considered "joint work" or separate contributions. It should outline ownership of both the composition and any demo recordings created, establish procedures for registering with the U.S. Copyright Office or other relevant authorities, and address territorial copyright considerations for international collaborations. The agreement should also specify ownership of derivative works or alternative versions, establish parameters for transferring or assigning copyright interests, and outline procedures for addressing third-party samples or interpolations. Additionally, it should address termination rights under copyright law, specify rights regarding unpublished or unfinished works, and establish procedures for copyright enforcement against infringement.

  • Q: How should revenue division and royalty collection be addressed?

    • A: The agreement should clearly define how various revenue streams will be split (mechanical, performance, synchronization, etc.), establish procedures for registering with performing rights organizations, and specify publishing administration arrangements for royalty collection. It should address division of advances or up-front payments, outline procedures for accounting and payment distributions, and establish audit rights for verifying royalty calculations. The agreement should also address income from live performances of the compositions, specify how digital royalties will be handled, and outline procedures for handling revenue from new uses or platforms not currently contemplated. Additionally, it should establish timeframes for royalty distributions, address international royalty collection, and specify how legal costs for enforcement or collection will be shared.

  • Q: What provisions should be included regarding control and licensing decisions?

    • A: The agreement should clearly define decision-making authority for licensing opportunities (exclusive, majority, unanimous), establish procedures for approving or rejecting synchronization requests, and outline protocols for time-sensitive licensing decisions. It should address authority for granting mechanical licenses, specify control over first commercial release of the compositions, and establish parameters for approving arrangements or adaptations. The agreement should also define decision-making authority for pursuing legal action against infringement, outline procedures for handling creative differences about song revisions, and establish requirements for consultation before granting significant licenses. Additionally, it should address decision rights regarding performing or recording the songs personally, specify authority for approving or rejecting sample requests, and outline procedures for revising the compositions after initial completion.