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Exclusive Songwriter Agreement for the United Kingdom

Exclusive Songwriter Agreement Template for England and Wales

An Exclusive Songwriter Agreement under English and Welsh law is a legally binding contract between a songwriter and a music publisher, where the songwriter agrees to create musical compositions exclusively for the publisher in exchange for compensation. The agreement typically covers copyright assignment or licensing, royalty arrangements, minimum delivery commitments, and territorial rights. It includes provisions for collection society relationships and ensures compliance with UK copyright and contract law.

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What is a Exclusive Songwriter Agreement?

The Exclusive Songwriter Agreement is essential for establishing professional relationships in the music industry. It provides a framework for songwriters to create musical works exclusively for a publisher while securing their rights and compensation. This agreement, governed by English and Welsh law, typically includes detailed provisions about copyright ownership, royalty structures, minimum commitments, and territorial exploitation rights. It's particularly important for protecting both parties' interests and ensuring clear understanding of obligations and benefits in the commercial exploitation of musical works.

What sections should be included in a Exclusive Songwriter Agreement?

1. Parties: Identification and details of the songwriter and publisher/company

2. Background: Context of the agreement and general intentions of the parties

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Grant of Rights: Scope of rights being assigned or licensed, including copyright assignment and moral rights provisions

5. Exclusivity Terms: Nature and extent of exclusive arrangement, including territory and duration

6. Compensation: Payment terms, royalties, advances, and collection society arrangements

7. Term and Termination: Duration of the agreement and circumstances for termination

8. Warranties and Representations: Standard assurances from both parties regarding capacity and ownership

9. Confidentiality: Provisions regarding confidential information and trade secrets

10. General Provisions: Standard boilerplate clauses including governing law, jurisdiction, and entire agreement

What sections are optional to include in a Exclusive Songwriter Agreement?

1. Minimum Commitment: Specifies minimum number of songs or works required during the term

2. Co-Writing Provisions: Rules and arrangements for collaboration with other writers

3. International Rights: Specific provisions for international exploitation and sub-publishing

4. Development Provisions: Terms for songwriter development, support, and promotional activities

5. Assignment and Sub-Contracting: Rights to assign or sub-contract obligations under the agreement

What schedules should be included in a Exclusive Songwriter Agreement?

1. Schedule of Existing Works: List of songwriter's pre-existing works excluded from the agreement

2. Minimum Commitment Schedule: Detailed delivery requirements and deadlines for compositions

3. Royalty Calculations: Detailed breakdown of royalty calculations, rates, and payment terms

4. Territories: List of territories covered by the agreement and any territory-specific terms

5. Collection Society Arrangements: Details of collection society memberships and revenue collection arrangements

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Ƶ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

England and Wales

Publisher

Ƶ

Document Type

Music Agreement

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions








































Clauses







































Industries

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988: Primary legislation governing copyright in the UK, covering rights in musical works and lyrics, moral rights provisions, duration of copyright, assignment and licensing of rights, and performers' rights

Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999: Legislation governing how third parties may enforce terms of contracts to which they are not direct parties

European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: Legislation addressing post-Brexit implications for international copyright protection and retention of EU law in UK domestic law

Equality Act 2010: Legislation ensuring non-discrimination in contractual relationships and business dealings

Collection Society Regulations: Rules governing collective rights management organizations including PRS for Music and MCPS regulations for music licensing and royalty collection

Common Law Principles: Fundamental legal principles covering contract formation, consideration, capacity to contract, misrepresentation, and remedies for breach of contract

Competition Law Framework: Including Enterprise Act 2002 and Competition Act 1998, governing anti-competitive practices and market regulation

International Copyright Treaties: International agreements including the Berne Convention, WIPO Copyright Treaty, and Universal Copyright Convention that protect copyright across borders

UK Data Protection Framework: Including UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, governing the processing and protection of personal data

Employment Law Framework: Including Employment Rights Act 1996 and Working Time Regulations 1998, relevant for determining employment status and rights in songwriter agreements

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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