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Songwriter Publisher Agreement for the United States

Songwriter Publisher Agreement Template for United States

A Songwriter Publisher Agreement is a legally binding contract under U.S. copyright law that establishes the relationship between a songwriter and a music publisher. It defines the terms under which the publisher will administer, exploit, and collect revenue from the songwriter's musical compositions. The agreement typically covers rights assignment, territory, duration, royalty rates, and obligations of both parties. It must comply with U.S. federal copyright law and state-specific contract regulations.

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What is a Songwriter Publisher Agreement?

The Songwriter Publisher Agreement is a fundamental document in the music industry, used when a songwriter wishes to engage a publisher to administer and commercially exploit their musical compositions. This agreement, governed by U.S. copyright and contract law, outlines the transfer of rights, royalty arrangements, and mutual obligations. It typically includes provisions for copyright administration, licensing, collection of royalties, and exploitation of compositions across various media. The agreement must comply with federal legislation including the Music Modernization Act and state-specific requirements. It's particularly important for establishing clear terms about ownership, revenue sharing, and administrative responsibilities.

What sections should be included in a Songwriter Publisher Agreement?

1. Parties: Identifies the songwriter and publishing company, including full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Sets out the context of the agreement and basic intentions of the parties

3. Definitions: Defines key terms used throughout the agreement including 'Compositions', 'Territory', 'Term', 'Net Revenue'

4. Grant of Rights: Details the specific rights being transferred to the publisher

5. Term and Territory: Specifies duration of the agreement and geographical scope

6. Compensation and Royalties: Details payment terms, royalty rates, and calculation methods

7. Delivery Requirements: Specifies requirements for submission of compositions

8. Publisher's Obligations: Lists publisher's duties regarding exploitation and administration

9. Warranties and Representations: Standard warranties about ownership and right to enter agreement

10. General Terms: Standard boilerplate provisions including governing law

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

1. Minimum Commitment: Specifies minimum number of compositions required - used for exclusive songwriter agreements

2. Advances: Details any advance payments and recoupment terms - included when advance payments are part of the deal

3. Co-Publishing Provisions: Details split ownership arrangements - used for co-publishing deals

4. Marketing Commitments: Specifies promotional obligations - included for major publishing deals

5. Foreign Income: Special provisions for international revenue - used for international deals

What schedules should be included in a Songwriter Publisher Agreement?

1. Schedule A - Existing Compositions: List of compositions covered by the agreement at signing

2. Schedule B - Royalty Rates: Detailed breakdown of royalty rates for different uses

3. Schedule C - Accounting Procedures: Detailed procedures for royalty calculations and payments

4. Schedule D - Territories: Detailed list of included territories if not worldwide

5. Schedule E - Excluded Compositions: List of compositions specifically excluded from the agreement

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

United States

Publisher

Ƶ

Document Type

Music Agreement

Sector

IP

Cost

Free to use
Clauses



































Industries

U.S. Copyright Act: Primary federal legislation (17 U.S.C.) governing copyright protection, including musical works, compositions, and rights of copyright holders

Music Modernization Act: 2018 legislation modernizing copyright law for the digital age, including streaming services and mechanical licensing systems

Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Federal law addressing digital copyright issues, including online infringement and technological protection measures

State Contract Laws: State-specific regulations governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation

Statute of Frauds: Legal requirement that certain contracts must be in writing to be enforceable

Mechanical Licensing Regulations: Rules governing the licensing of musical compositions for reproduction and distribution

Performance Rights Regulations: Laws governing public performance rights and licensing through PROs (Performance Rights Organizations)

Work-for-Hire Doctrine: Legal concept determining ownership of copyrighted works created during employment or by special commission

Berne Convention: International treaty governing copyright protection across member nations

Copyright Termination Rights: Statutory rights under 17 U.S.C. ������ 203 allowing creators to reclaim their copyrights after a certain period

California Seven-Year Rule: California-specific law limiting personal service contracts to seven years, potentially affecting long-term publishing agreements

PRO Regulations: Rules and requirements set by Performance Rights Organizations for collecting and distributing performance royalties

Digital Performance Rights: Laws governing rights and royalties for digital streaming and online performance of musical works

Compulsory Licensing Provisions: Statutory provisions allowing use of copyrighted works under certain conditions without explicit permission

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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