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Music Licensing SongSplit Agreement

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MUSIC LICENSING SONGSPLIT AGREEMENT

This Music Licensing SongSplit Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of by and between Party A Name: and Party B Name: .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, the parties are co-creators, contributors, or assignees with respect to the musical composition and/or sound recording titled "" (the "Song"), identified by ISRC or internal reference ; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective ownership splits, licensing rights, revenue allocation, and the terms under which licenses to exploit the Song may be granted and Revenues allocated among them.

OWNERSHIP AND SONGSPLIT

The parties acknowledge and agree that ownership of the Song is divided as follows:

Ownership percentages determine each party's entitlement to licensing revenues, subject to any agreements below regarding advances, recoupment, and allocations for publisher's share. Each party represents that the percentage set forth above reflects their current ownership interest in the Song.

SCOPE OF WORK

The parties agree that licensing requests for the Song will be handled as follows (select one and describe any additional procedures in the scope above):

Exclusive licensing authority granted to Party A or Party B as specified in scope.

Joint licensing authority; all third-party licenses require written consent of both parties.

PAYMENT TERMS

All licensing revenue (Gross Receipts) received from exploitation of the Song shall be accounted for and distributed after deduction of agreed expenses and applicable taxes. The parties set forth the financial terms below:

Accounting and distribution statements shall be provided at least quarterly unless otherwise agreed. Each party shall be entitled to inspect supporting records upon reasonable notice.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Term: This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breaching party fails to cure such breach within days after written notice. Termination shall not relieve either party of obligations accrued prior to termination, including accounting and payment obligations.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party agrees to keep confidential all non-public information concerning licensing offers, financial terms, third-party negotiations, and other proprietary business information (collectively, "Confidential Information") disclosed in connection with the Song, and not to disclose Confidential Information to any third party except as required by law or to professional advisors who are bound by equivalent confidentiality obligations.

The obligations of confidentiality survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years.

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATION

Each party represents and warrants that it has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to grant the rights and licenses herein, that the Song is original to the extent claimed, and that entering into this Agreement will not violate any other agreement or obligation. Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other for any losses arising from a breach of its representations or from third-party claims attributable to its acts or omissions.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of without regard to choice of law principles. Venue for any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be the state or federal courts located within that jurisdiction.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, representations, and agreements. No amendment, modification or waiver of any provision shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

NOTICES

Notices shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses above by personal delivery, nationally recognized courier, or certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed given upon receipt.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The parties shall execute such additional documents and take such further actions as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

Party A (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Party B (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

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What the Music Licensing SongSplit Agreement Is

The Music Licensing SongSplit Agreement is a written contract that records how copyright, revenue, and licensing rights in a musical composition are split among contributors and rights holders. It defines ownership percentages, licensing permissions, royalty allocation, mechanical and synchronization rights, songwriting and production credits, and administrative responsibilities for collection and enforcement. The agreement is used to prevent disputes, support accurate metadata for performing rights organizations, and provide a clear basis for licensing negotiations and payments.

Why a Formal SongSplit Agreement Matters

A clear SongSplit Agreement reduces ambiguity about ownership and revenue flow, supports accurate publishing registrations with PROs, and provides a contractual basis for licensing and enforcement under U.S. law.

Why a Formal SongSplit Agreement Matters

Who Commonly Prepares and Signs a SongSplit Agreement

Typical participants include songwriters, producers, publishers, administrators, and record company representatives; third-party licensors may also be parties.

  • Songwriters and composers who contributed melody, lyrics, or arrangement; they need clear percentage allocations before publishing registrations.
  • Producers and beat-makers who receive points or a share of publishing and/or master rights; agreements define producer royalty splits and credits.
  • Publishing administrators or music publishers responsible for registration with ASCAP/BMI/SESAC and for collecting mechanicals and performance royalties.

Step-by-Step: Complete and Sign a SongSplit Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, execute, and register the SongSplit Agreement so it can be relied on for licensing and royalty collection.

  • 01
    Draft core terms: Document title, parties, roles, effective date, and split percentages.
  • 02
    Confirm identities: Verify legal names and TINs for tax reporting and PRO registration.
  • 03
    Signatures: Collect signatures from all parties, dated and attributed to the signer.
  • 04
    Register with PROs: Submit the finalized split to ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and mechanical rights organizations.

Essential Clauses to Include in a Professional SongSplit Agreement

A comprehensive agreement balances clarity on ownership, licensing rights, payment flows, and dispute resolution to reduce ambiguity and support enforceability in the United States.

Ownership & Percentages

Clearly allocate composition and publishing shares, using exact percentages and noting whether shares are gross or net of publishing administration.

Grant of Rights

Specify what rights are granted (mechanical, performance, synchronization, print) and whether grants are exclusive, nonexclusive, or limited in scope.

Royalty Allocation

Describe how mechanical, performance, synchronization, and streaming royalties are divided and any offsets or recoupment provisions.

Credit and Attribution

Define songwriter and producer credits for liner notes, metadata, and digital service provider displays to support accurate public attribution.

Administration & Registration

Assign which party will register splits with PROs and CMOs and handle invoicing, collections, and audits.

Dispute Resolution

Include governing law, venue, and a mechanism for resolving split disputes—mediation or arbitration—plus attorney fee allocation if applicable.

Key Information Elements and Controls to Protect

Legal Names: Full legal name for each party
Tax IDs: TIN or EIN for payee identification
Contact Details: Street address, city, state, ZIP
Banking Info: Account details for royalty disbursements
Metadata: ISRC, UPC, songwriter PRO IPI numbers
Signatures: Signed and dated execution blocks

How Licensing and Royalties Flow After Signing

A SongSplit Agreement establishes who may license the composition and how collected royalties are distributed; the sequence below outlines typical post-signature steps.

  • Registration: Register final splits with PROs and mechanical licensing agents for collection.
  • Licensing Requests: Licensors request sync/mechanical licenses from authorized party or administrator.
  • Collections: PROs and CMOs collect performance and mechanical royalties.
  • Disbursement: Administrator allocates and pays shares according to the agreement.

Set Up a Digital Workflow for SongSplit Execution

Configure a digital signing workflow so each contributor receives, signs, and receives a copy while preserving an audit trail and version history.

Field Configuration
Signers List all parties and order (simultaneous or sequential)
Authentication Email + optional SMS code or ID check
Attachments Include score excerpts, metadata files, and prior agreements
Audit Trail Enable timestamps, IP logging, and certificate of completion

Digital Signing and Technical Requirements

Choose a signing platform that supports secure eSignatures, audit trails, and the integrations you need for publisher or PRO workflows.

  • Integrations: Connectors for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and NetSuite help sync metadata and contracts.
  • Document Formats: Support for PDF and DOCX ensures signed originals are preserved in accepted formats.
  • Compliance: Use platforms that meet ESIGN/UETA and, where applicable, HIPAA/21 CFR Part 11 requirements.

Timing Considerations and Important Dates

Track execution dates, registration deadlines, and tax reporting triggers to ensure splits are effective for royalty periods and for IRS reporting where applicable.

Effective Date:

MM/DD/YYYY; determines when splits and licensing rights apply

PRO Registration:

Register splits prior to first public performance to reduce misallocation

Tax Reporting:

Collect TINs early to avoid backup withholding and 1099 delays

Renewals:

Note any term-based assignments or sunset clauses affecting rights

Audit Window:

Retain records for the duration needed to substantiate payments (see retention)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to record exact percentages, leading to PRO mismatches and payment delays.
  • Using inconsistent legal names or missing TINs, which can trigger backup withholding.
  • Neglecting to register splits with PROs before exploitation, causing misallocated royalties.
  • Relying solely on verbal agreements or informal messages without a signed written split.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect Agreement

Royalty Misallocation: Lost income and long reconciliations
Tax Penalties: Backup withholding and 1099 filing issues
Registration Rejection: PROs may decline inconsistent or unsigned splits
Copyright Disputes: Potential litigation or arbitration costs
Contractual Invalidity: Ambiguous terms can be unenforceable in court
Business Disruption: Delayed licensing and missed sync opportunities

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for SongSplit Agreement Workflows

Compare common vendor price points and a few key features relevant to executing SongSplit Agreements; signNow appears first per vendor listing 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 No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes (Business Premium includes bulk send) Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes (BAA required) Yes Yes No No

Practical Examples of SongSplit Agreement Use

These short scenarios show common contexts where a SongSplit Agreement prevents disputes and supports licensing.

Indie Band Release

Band members agree splits before release to avoid future disputes

  • Producer receives 10% for beat contribution
  • The signed split enabled accurate PRO registration and ensured streaming revenue was allocated correctly over multiple territories.

Sync Placement

Writer and publisher negotiate a special sync split for an advertising placement

  • Temporary assignment with defined territory
  • The agreement clarified sync fees and prevented double-licensing when a third party sought master reuse.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Follow these best practices to minimize errors and speed registration and payment flows.

Use consistent names
Enter legal names and match those to PRO registrations and tax documents to avoid backup withholding and payment delays.
Confirm percentages
Ensure all shares total exactly 100.00% and document rounding rules for fractional cents in royalties.
Capture metadata
Include ISRC, publisher IPI, and songwriter IPI numbers to aid PRO matching and reduce misapplied royalties.
Retain audit trails
Keep signed originals, timestamps, and an exportable audit trail to support audits and dispute resolution.

FAQs and Troubleshooting for SongSplit Agreements

Answers to common questions about execution, validity, and next steps after signing a SongSplit Agreement.


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