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Exclusive Songwriter Publisher Agreement

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COMPOSER / MUSIC PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT

Agreement made as of this Day of , 2000 by and between , INC. (“Producer”) and (“Composer”).

The parties agree as follows:

1. ENGAGEMENT : Producer hereby engages Composer and Composer hereby accepts such engagement to compose and perform live improvisational keyboard music orchestrated for a television program series entitled “” (the “Program”). Each program episode will be thirty minutes (:30) in length and the composer shall perform music live and in sequence with the live, improvisational comedic acting.

2. TERM: (a) This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue unless sooner terminated, until , 2000. During this time period it is contemplated that Composer shall provide composer and musical services during seventeen (17) recording sessions, producing thirty-four (34), thirty-minute (:30) episodes.

(b) Producer and Composer shall have the right to terminate this Agreement effective at any time giving the respective party not fewer then three (3) weeks prior notice.

3. GRANT OF RIGHTS : Composer grants to Producer the sole and exclusive right in the improvisational music composed and performed and for all uses connected with the exploitation of the Program. Such rights include:

(a) The right to use, include, broadcast, and record the musical compositions in whole or in part in the Program, in any manner that Producer may deem proper.

(b) The right to paraphrase, arrange, rearrange, add to, subtract from and further orchestrate the musical compositions, in whole or in part.

(c) The right to interpolate the musical compositions with other music and lyrics written by Composer or written by persons other than Composer. Such other music will not be represented to have been created by Composer.

(d) Other than the rights granted herein, all other copyrights in the musical compositions shall belong to Composer.

4. COMPENSATION . In full consideration of the services performed by Composer, for all of the rights granted herein, and for all of Composer's representations and warranties given herein, Producer agrees to pay Composer as follows: a salary of $ per day per episode recording session for composition and performance, plus 50% of said episode rate upon first and all subsequent reruns of each episode with original composition in all markets composite. Included in Composer’s compensation shall be the obligation to attend a maximum of four (4) hours of rehearsal time in preparation of each episode taping. Composer will be responsible for paying all federal, state and local taxes, withholdings and insurance, and Composer agrees that he/she is performing services hereunder as an independent contractor. The above residual rate only applies to original music composition and performances that has been actually aired in the Broadcast medium. If the music is edited out or omitted from broadcast the residual rate will not apply.

5. WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS: Composer warrants and represents:

(a) if Composer has engaged another party or parties to collaborate in the writing of music, lyrics or other material hereunder, Composer will compensate such collaborator and obtain from the collaborator all rights granted to Producer hereunder.

(b) Composer is free to enter into this Agreement and perform all of Composers services hereunder.

(c) Composer has the full right and authority to enter into this Agreement and to make the grant of rights herein contained.

(d) Composer has not done any act which will impair the rights conveyed hereunder or interfere with the use and enjoyment of the Score and Soundtrack by Producer as permitted hereunder.

(e) The improvisational composition will not be taken from or based upon any other musical works and does not infringe the copyright or any other rights of any person, firm or corporation and that Producer's use of the composition hereunder will be free and clear of any claims of third parties for any further compensation.

6. INDEMNIFICATION : Composer will indemnify and hold Producer harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including legal fees, which Producer may suffer or incur by reason of Composer's breach of any of his/her warranties, representations and agreements contained in this Agreement.

7. NAME AND LIKENESS : Composer hereby grants to Producer the right to use and publish, and to permit others to use and publish, Composer's name, likeness and biographical material about Composer for purposes of advertising the Program and Composer's contributions thereto.

8. CREDIT : Composer will receive a credit on the screen in all positive prints of the Program on a separate single frame as follows:

“Music by ”

The size, placement and prominence of the credit shall be at Producer's discretion.

9. ASSIGNMENT : (a) Producer has the right to assign this Agreement or any part thereof, and to sell, assign, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any or all of the rights granted to Producer hereunder.

(b) Composer's services hereunder are of a unique and extraordinary character and may not assigned by Composer.

10. GENERAL : This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between Producer and Composer with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no modifications, amendments, waivers, terminations or discharges of this Agreement will be binding upon either party unless confirmed in a written instrument executed by both parties hereto.

No waiver of any provision of, or default under, this Agreement will affect the rights of the parties to this agreement to thereafter enforce such provision or to exercise any right or remedy hereunder.

This Agreement, its validity, constructions and effect will be governed by the law of the State of New Jersey applicable to agreements executed and to be wholly performed with such state, and such state is designated as the jurisdiction and venue for the resolution of any disputes that may arise hereunder.

All notices and payments to be made hereunder will be given or made to the parties at their respective addresses at the head of this Agreement.

The parties acknowledge their agreement to be bound by the terms of this document by signing as indicated below.

:

By:

Title:

COMPOSER:

By:

Name:

Enter text✕

What an Exclusive Songwriter Publisher Agreement Covers

An Exclusive Songwriter Publisher Agreement is a legal contract where a songwriter grants a publisher exclusive rights to exploit one or more musical compositions. It typically addresses ownership assignment or license scope, term, territory, royalty splits, advances, administration rights, registration and copyright deposits, mechanical and performance licensing, and termination conditions. The agreement defines financial accounting and audit rights, grantbacks, warranties and indemnities from the songwriter, and processes for registering works with performing rights organizations and the U.S. Copyright Office.

Why this Agreement Matters for Songwriters and Publishers

An exclusive publisher deal centralizes exploitation and administration of compositions, clarifying who controls licensing and how revenue is split. It establishes the publisher’s obligations to promote, register, license, and account for songs while protecting the songwriter through warranties and termination mechanics.

Why this Agreement Matters for Songwriters and Publishers

Typical Parties and Stakeholders

This agreement is used by independent songwriters, music publishers, managers, and rights administrators when formalizing exclusive publishing relationships.

  • Independent songwriters seeking professional administration and licensing for their catalog, often in exchange for an advance and ongoing royalties.
  • Small and major publishers acquiring administration and exploitation rights to publish, license, and collect royalties globally.
  • Managers, attorneys, and rights administrators who negotiate terms, monitor royalty accounting, and enforce compliance.

Each party should confirm authority to assign or accept exclusive rights and consider counsel for review of grant language, royalty waterfalls, and termination triggers.

Core Clauses to Expect in a Professional Agreement

A robust Exclusive Songwriter Publisher Agreement organizes rights, payment mechanics, and obligations with clear language and defined remedies for breaches.

Grant Scope

Defines whether rights are assignments or exclusive licenses, the exact works covered, and whether future works are included or require separate agreements.

Term & Territory

Specifies the agreement duration, renewal mechanics, and the geographic territory (worldwide or limited territories) where the publisher may exploit the works.

Royalties & Advances

Sets royalty splits by income type (mechanical, performance, sync), advance payments, recoupment rules, and net-versus-gross accounting treatments.

Administration Rights

Details publisher duties: registering works, administering licenses, issuing invoices, collecting income, and remitting statements with timing and frequency.

Warranties & Indemnities

Songwriter warranties of original authorship, absence of conflicting assignments, and indemnity obligations for third-party claims or false statements.

Termination & Reversion

Explains termination events, cure periods, reversion or assignment-back of rights, and the effect on unrecouped advances and existing licenses.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Agreement

Follow a consistent order to reduce errors: identify parties, confirm works, set financial terms, and finalize signatures.

  • 01
    Prepare Parties: Confirm legal names and tax IDs.
  • 02
    List Works: Add all covered compositions and splits.
  • 03
    Set Terms: Enter term, territory, and compensation.
  • 04
    Sign & Register: Execute signatures and register works with PROs/USCO.

How to Configure an Online Completion Workflow

Common settings ensure secure routing, required fields, and automated reminders for timely execution.

Field Configuration
Required Fields Make legal names, effective date, and signatures mandatory.
Signer Order Set publisher then songwriter sequential signing.
Authentication Use email plus SMS code for signer verification.
Notifications Enable reminders at 3 and 7 days after send.

Where to Send and How the Document Is Routed

Decide the delivery path—direct to songwriter, copy to manager, and archive with publisher accounting—so responsibilities are clear.

  • Initial Delivery: Send to songwriter for initial review and signature.
  • Counter-Signature: Publisher reviews then signs to finalize the deal.
  • Distribution: Send executed copy to PROs and accounting.
  • Archive: Store master PDF with audit trail in secure repository.

Digital Signing and Platform Considerations

Use an eSignature platform that supports secure audit trails, PDF export, and integrations with rights administration tools.

  • Authentication Options: Email link, SMS code, KBA, or SSO depending on required signer assurance.
  • File Formats: Choose PDF/A or DOCX for signature permanence and archival compatibility.
  • Integrations: Connect to CRMs, accounting, and cloud storage such as NetSuite, Salesforce, Google Workspace.

Preserve a tamper-evident signed PDF and capture the full audit trail (timestamps, IP addresses, signer identity) for enforceability and recordkeeping.

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Compare common commercial eSignature providers for signing Exclusive Songwriter Publisher Agreements; signNow is listed first per platform comparison conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial, no credit card required Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes (Premium tier) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Key Timing and Deadline Considerations

Timelines affect registration, royalty reporting, and eligibility for certain remedies; capture these dates in the agreement and process workflow.

Effective Date Entry:

Effective date equals the signed date or a specifically stated future date.

Delivery of Compositions:

Specify when songwriter must deliver final masters, lyrics, and split info.

Copyright Registration:

Register with the U.S. Copyright Office; timely registration affects statutory damages (17 U.S.C. §412).

Royalty Statements:

Set statement frequency (quarterly or semiannual) and payment deadlines.

Notice Periods:

Include cure periods and termination notice timelines (e.g., 30–90 days as negotiated).

Key Milestones from Negotiation to Royalty Accounting

Track milestone stages so all parties meet registration, exploitation, and accounting obligations on schedule.

01

Negotiation Complete

Terms agreed, draft finalized and prepared for signatures.

02

Execution

All parties sign and date; effective date is set.

03

Registration

Publisher registers works with PROs and USCO for collection.

04

First Accounting

Publisher issues first royalty statement within agreed reporting period.

Essential Information Fields to Collect

Songwriter Name: Legal name
Publisher Name: Legal entity
Tax ID: TIN or EIN
Address: Street, city, state
Work List: Titles and splits
Bank Details: Payment remit info

Common Risks and Consequences of Errors

Invalid Assignment: Lost rights
Tax Misreporting: Withholding fines
Royalty Disputes: Audit costs
Registration Delay: Lost statutory remedies
Breach Claims: Liability exposure
Data Exposure: Confidentiality breaches

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Adopt standardized templates, require mandatory fields, and record a full audit trail to reduce disputes and speed payment.

Standardize Authoritative Names
Use the exact legal names and tax identifiers for parties to avoid mismatches with PROs, tax reporting, and bank transfers; confirm via government ID or formation documents before signing.
Specify Income Streams Clearly
Break out mechanical, performance, synch, and print royalties with explicit percentages and recoupment order to ensure transparent accounting for each revenue source and reduce future disputes.
Document Delivery Obligations
Require songwriter to deliver lyrics, splits, ISRC/ISWC data, and registration forms within a fixed timeframe to avoid delays in licensing and collection; attach delivery checklist as an exhibit.
Retain Audit Rights
Include a defined audit process with frequency, scope, and cost allocation so either party can verify statements; require retention of supporting records for the agreed audit period.

Realistic Use Cases for an Exclusive Publisher Agreement

Practical examples show how parties structure terms to meet business objectives while protecting rights and revenue streams.

Independent Catalog Deal

An emerging songwriter assigns a catalog of 12 songs exclusively to a small publisher for administration and sync licensing

  • Publisher pays a recoupable advance and handles registrations
  • The agreement includes quarterly statements, a five-year term with renewal options, and reversion if minimum exploitation thresholds are unmet.

Development-to-Exclusive

A publisher signs a songwriter on a development track: initial non-exclusive work-for-hire converts to exclusive publishing upon achieving a release

  • The contract ties advance milestones to recordings and sync placements
  • Term includes audit rights, clear reversion triggers, and a defined split waterfall across mechanical and performance income.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common execution, registration, and enforcement questions encountered with Exclusive Songwriter Publisher Agreements.


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