Music Contracts

Do you allow musical artists to use your recording studio on a pay-later basis? Be sure you get paid with this Acknowledgement of Debt Obligation for Recording form.

• The Acknowledgement can cover all or part of the costs, including studio time, engineer, producer, session musicians, and CD mastering.
• The artist acknowledges the outstanding amounts still owing to various parties involved in making the recording and agrees to pay all the outstanding amounts prior to releasing the recording for sale.
• The form is easy to use - buy, download, fill in and print.
• This form is available in MS Word format and is fully editable.

Obtain the rights to a musical composition from the composer with this Acquisition Agreement for Limited Rights in Music template.

• The composer was contracted on a work-for-hire basis to write the composition.
• The composer assigns all of his/her rights and title to the musical composition to the client.
• The client has the sole right to copyright the work.
• The client grants performance rights for the composition back to the composer.
• The Acquisition Agreement for Limited Rights is a MS Word template. You can customize it, edit it, use it as often as your business requires.

Assign copyright of a musical composition back to the songwriter under a reversion clause with this Assignment of Copyright form.

• Some songwriter contracts contain a reversion provision, which gives the songwriter the right to repurchase copyright to one or more songs or compositions for a specified sum after a certain length of time or on certain conditions.
• If that happens, the music publisher must reassign the copyright back to the songwriter.
• This is a digital template that you can download, customize, and re-use as often as you like.
• The Assignment (Reversion) of Copyright to Songwriter form can be used in both Canada and the United States.

Assign copyright in a musical composition from one publisher to another with this easy Assignment of Copyright form.

• The assignment is made at the request of the original songwriter, who has consented to the transfer of rights.
• This is a generic assignment form which can be used in any country that does not have a statutory form.
• Downloadable reusable template.

Every music publisher needs a full set of assignment forms. Add the Assignment of Copyright between Music Publishers to your suite of music industry forms.

Canadian music publishers, obtain copyright in a composition written on a for-hire basis with this Assignment of Copyright form.

• The composer assigns worldwide copyright in the work over to the publisher.
• The assignment form contains a waiver of moral rights clause, which can be deleted if not applicable.
• The songwriter is still entitled to performance royalties as a member of any performing rights society.

Every music publisher in Canada needs a copy of the Assignment of Copyright in Musical Composition form. Get yours today.

Whether you're a booking agent or a band leader who books your own gigs, you can use this downloadable Booking Agreement to book a club engagement for a band or musical artist.

• The nightclub contracts for the services of a band, singing act, or musician for a specific period of time (a week, a month, etc) or for a specified number of performances. Provisions of the Agreement include:
  • what happens if the nightclub defaults in its obligations;
  • time and length of the band's breaks or intermissions;
  • rules applying to the performance, such as dress, behavior, general conduct;
  • commission payable to the booking agent (if applicable);
  • a blank contract rider form, which can be used to add additional terms for either the club or the band.
• You can personalize the agreement for each club or venue and tailor it especially for your agency (or for your band, if you don't use an agent).
• Available in MS Word format.

Sign up musicians, singing acts and bands for your services with this Exclusive Booking Agent Agreement.

• The artist gives the booking agent exclusive rights to book performances and engagements for the artist.
• The booking agent is paid on a two-tier commission scale based on the length of the engagement.
• The booking agent is not required to work exclusively for the artist, but has the right to sign other musical acts on the same terms or otherwise.
• The band or artist agrees not to book itself for return engagements at venues originally contracted by the booking agent for a specified time period following termination of the agreement.
• Available in MS Word format, fully customizable.
• Intended to be used only within the United States.

Music publishers need a sizable catalog of music. Expand yours by hiring a songwriter under this Exclusive Songwriting Contract to write new compositions for you to publish.

• The songwriter transfers to the publisher all rights to the compositions written during the term of the contract, in return for weekly advances and royalties on sales.
• The publisher will have exclusive access to the songwriter's services during the contract period.
• The publisher has the right to refuse any song, and any rejected song will remain the sole property of the songwriter.
• The songwriter has not and will not offer the compositions to any party other than the publisher as long as the contract is in effect.
• The publisher has the option to renew the contract.
• This digital legal form template can be used in either the United States or Canada.

Don't spend hundreds of dollars in legal fees to get a contract drawn up. The Exclusive Songwriting Contract is a standard form agreement that you can download and start using immediately.

Write up a Live Concert Performance Contract Rider for a contract between a band or musical artist and a concert presenter with this downloadable template.

The rider covers:

• the technical requirements (sound, lights, staging, etc.) for the show,
• any other performance requirements that the musical artist has, and
• the artist's obligations to the concert presenter.

This Live Concert Performance Contract Rider form is fully editable and can be easily customized to fit your circumstances.

License a master for use in a television broadcast or video with this Master Recording License.

• The composer of the music grants the producer of a television program a license to use the master recording in one or more episodes of the TV program, and in videos or other reproductions of the program.
• The license is a nonexclusive worldwide license to distribute a certain number of video and DVD recordings of the program.
• The producer can extend its distribution license to an unlimited number of copies by payment of additional license fees to the composer.
• The license does not extend to soundtrack albums or other recordings.

The Master Recording License for TV Broadcast or Video is a downloadable digital template which will be a valuable addition to your music contracts library.

If you publish music jointly with another publisher, you need this standard form Co-Publishing Agreement for Musical Composition.

• Each of the co-publishers will own a half interest in ownership of the copyright.
• Each co-publisher will receive an equal share of the publishing receipts.
• The parties jointly assign public performance rights to BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) and will share equally in the licensing fees.
• Downloadable, easy to use and much cheaper than a lawyer.
• This is a generic legal form that does not contain specific references to the legislation of any specific country or jurisdiction.

Obtain publishing rights for an original piece of music with this easy-to-use Music Publishing Agreement template for the USA and Canada.

• Transfer of Rights. A composer sells and transfers all of its right and title to an original musical composition (including copyright) to the music publisher, in return for a percentage royalty on the sales of printed sheet music and recordings, licensing fees and performance royalties.
• Changes and Derivations. The publisher has the right to edit, retitle, change and make derivative works of the composition.
• Indemnification. The composer indemnifies the publisher against any copyright infringement claims.
• The template includes a Short Form Copyright Assignment form.
• This Music Publishing Agreement template can be used in either the United States or Canada.

Music publishers can appoint agents in foreign markets with this Music Publishing Foreign Agency Agreement.

• The foreign agent agrees to act as the publisher's representative in foreign markets, to promote and market music (or musical recordings), negotiate deals and grant sub-publishing rights to third parties within such foreign markets.
• The agent will be paid a commission based on a percentage of sales and licensing fees received by the publisher.
• This is a generic legal form which is not specific to the laws of any country or region.

The Music Publishing Foreign Agency Agreement template is available in MS Word format, and is fully editable to meet your exact needs.

Appoint sub-publishers who will distribute, market and sell music in a defined territory for a publisher with this Music Sub-Publishing Agreement template.

• The sub-publisher will have certain synchronization, mechanical and performance rights to the music only inside of the territory, for instance, synchronization rights for motion pictures made within the territory.
• The music publisher reserves all rights in the music and all copyright for all areas outside of the territory.
• The sub-publisher is responsible for registering the work with the performing rights societies in the territory so that the music publisher's share of performance and broadcasting fees are credited and paid to the publisher.
• The template is available in MS Word format and is fully editable to meet your needs.
• This is a generic legal form which can be used in most countries and regions.

If you manage bands, musicians and performing artists in Canada, download this Musical Artist Management Agreement template.

• As the artist's manager you will not only represent the artist, you will also offer advice, guidance, business expertise, and promotional services.
• Your job is to supervise and guide the artist's career and professional development.
• In return for management services, you receive a percentage of the artist's gross earnings.
• You will be the artist's sole manager, but you're not bound to provide management services exclusively to the artist. You can also manage other artists, as you see fit.
• This legal contract form is a downloadable template which is customizable, reusable and much cheaper than a lawyer.
• Intended for use only in Canada.

Record producers, obtain a release from an artist in connection with promotion of a record with this Musical Artist Release Form for Use of Likeness.

• The artist grants the record company and related parties (distributors, advertisers, affiliates, etc) the right to use the image and likeness of the artist for purposes of advertising and promoting recordings containing a performance by the artist as a musician or vocalist.
• The artist agrees not to make any claim against the record company for any reason, including invasion of privacy.
• The file includes a section to be completed if the artist is a minor (under 18 years of age).
• This is a reusable and editable release form. Buy, download, use it as often as you need to.

Obtain a release from a musician or vocalist whose performance is contained on a master recording with this Musical Artist Release of Performance on Masters.

• The artist grants the record company and related parties (distributors, advertisers, affiliates, etc) the perpetual right to use the masters in any manner they see fit.
• The artist waives the right to any claims for payment or royalties with respect to the musical performance(s) contained in the masters.
• The file includes a section to be completed if the artist is a minor (under 18 years of age).
• This is a generic release form which is not country-specific and can be used by record producers anywhere.
• Available in MS Word format and fully editable.

Talent managers can prepare customized Personal Management Agreements for the artists they manage with this fully editable template.

• The manager agrees to provide professional advice in areas of artistic development, performance, marketing and promotion, and business development.
• The manager specifically does NOT provide services which would typically be provided by an agent, such as obtaining employment, bookings, performances, etc.
• The performer grants the manager power of attorney for retaining public relations staff, agents, legal counsel and other persons in connection with the performer's business and affairs, for signing contracts and other documents on behalf of the performer.
• The performer agrees to indemnify the manager against claims or damages.
• No matter whether you manage musical artists, actors, or performers in other entertainment genres, you can use this Personal Management Agreement template. Buy, download, personalize, customize, re-use it as often as you like.

Record producers, write up a contract to produce a demo for a musical artist with this Production Agreement for Master Recordings.

• The masters will be used as demos and will be shopped around to various record labels in order to attempt to obtain a recording contract for the artist.
• The artist retains ownership and control of all copyright in the masters and all recordings or reproductions.
• The producer's compensation takes the form of a royalty and/or commission.
• The artist has the right to hire other producers for other recording sessions.

Record producers, write up a contract to produce demo recordings for the musical artists who use your studio with this template Recording Production Agreement.

• The contract template includes options for several fee schedules (hourly, daily, per recording, project rate).
• An additional fee will be charged if the producer provides engineering services as well.
• The artist will use the demos to attempt to obtain a recording contract with a major label.
• This is a reusable contract template - buy, download, use it as often as you require.
• Available in MS Word format and fully editable to fit your specific circumstances.

Sign up performers to your public relations agency and write your own custom contracts with this easy-to-use Publicist Services Contract.

• choice of material to be performed by the artist,
• attendance at functions and photo ops,
• unpaid interviews in all media,
• handling of press releases and articles,
• dissemination of information about the artist.

Document the delivery of masters to a record company with this Receipt Form for master recordings.

• The receipt confirms in writing that the masters have been delivered by the master producer.
• This is a free form which can be downloaded and reused as often as you like.
• Available in MS Word format.
• The Receipt can be used anywhere.

Hire a producer to produce master recordings in your company's recording studio with this USA Record Company Producer Contract.

• Work for Hire. The producer's services are provided on a work-for-hire basis. All rights to the masters and to records derived from the masters belong to the record company.
• Re-recording. The producer agrees to re-record any performances that the record company does not find satisfactory.
• Album Credits. The producer will receive appropriate production and authoring credit on all labels and liner notes.
• Right to Use Likeness. The company is granted the perpetual worldwide right to use the producer's name and likeness in connection with the masters and the records derived from them.
• Dispute Resolution. The parties agree to resolve any disputes through negotiation, failing which they will submit to binding arbitration.
• Governing Law. The agreement is governed by United States law, including copyright laws.
• Available in MS Word format, reusable and fully editable to meet your business needs.

Record producers can write up Recording Contracts for musical artists with this downloadable template which can be used in the United States and Canada.

• The contract sets out the terms agreed to by the parties for the production and distribution of a master to be recorded by the artist.
• All expenses will be paid by the record company and reimbursed from gross income from sales of the record.
• Both parties share artistic control for the recording.
• The record company will provide session musicians as needed.
• The artist assigns to the record company all of its right and title in the recording and the material recorded, with an option to purchase the rights back.
• The artist agrees to actively promote the record through live appearances.

Independent studios need the same kinds of contracts that major labels have. Why pay huge legal fees when you can buy this Recording Contract template, download it and customize it to suit your needs?

This USA Recording Contract includes a schedule of different royalty rates for different artists and from different revenue sources.

• The royalty rate schedule sets out: basic single rates, basic rates for recordings, as well as rates for musical groups, sessions on which only certain group members appear, or appear under a different name.
• The contract contains provisions for shared billing on sides which are coupled with those of another artist.
• The musical artist and the recording company have joint artistic control over the recordings.
• The artist consents to the use of the artist's professional name in connection with the recordings.
• The USA Recording Contract with Royalty Rate Schedule is a digital download. The file is a MS Word template and is completely customizable to fit your brand and your business model.

Write contracts for the bands, singers and musicians who rent your studio with this template Recording Studio Services Contract.

• The services provided under the contract include studio time, a recording engineer, and any additional services required by the musical artist during the recording session.
• The artist agrees to pay a cancellation fee if sessions or services are cancelled on short notice.
• The recording studio will not release the master until all fees and charges are paid.
• The artist is liable for any damages caused by the artist or his/her personnel or guests.
• All artists must abide by the Terms and Conditions for Use, which are included with the contract.
• This is a reusable legal form. Buy it, download it, customize it for your business, use it as often as you require.

Get a signed Recording Studio Services Contract before the sessions start. You'll sleep better.

Prepare a Royalty Agreement between a musical artist and a record producer in connection with producing master recordings.

• The artist agrees to pay the producer a percentage of the artist's royalties on sales of recordings derived from the masters, as payment for the producer's services in recording and creating the masters.
• Available in MS Word format and fully editable to meet your needs.
• This is a generic form that can be used almost anywhere.
• Buy the form once, it's yours to use as often as required.

Prepare a Royalty Agreement between a musical artist and his/her manager with this downloadable template form.

• The manager agrees to provide personal management services to the musician.
• In return, the musician agrees to pay the manager a specified percentage of the artist's royalties on all sales of recordings.

Add this Royalty Agreement between Musician and Manager to your portfolio of management contract templates.

Share royalties from sales of music with this Royalty Sharing Agreement which can be used in the United States and Canada.

• The parties to the Agreement both have rights to the music, such as the composer and the publisher.
• The parties are entitled to be reimbursed for expenses incurred with respect to the composition.
• The music publisher will hold the copyright and will pay the other party the royalties due, less the publisher's costs and expenses.
• Both parties will be named in cover notes and credits, and any performance rights fees due with respect to the composition will be split between the parties.
• Buy and download the Royalty Sharing Agreement for Musical Composition digital template for your music industry contracts library.

Hire sidemen to perform on a number of recordings over a specified period of time with this USA Session Musician Recording Contract.

• The contract is for a specified length of time, during which the musician agrees to record a minimum number of tracks.
• The session musician is required to give the record company all rights to the recordings and the right to use the musician's name and image in promoting the recordings.
• The record company has the exclusive copyright in all the compositions and recordings.
• The musician is being hired on a work made for hire basis, and is an independent contractor, not an employee of the record company.
• The contract contains two clauses for compensation. One is for a fixed fee, and the other allows for ongoing royalty payments based on sales of the recordings.
• The contract is governed by United States laws.
• Provided in MS Word format and fully editable to meet your needs.

This downloadable Songwriting Contract with reversion rights allows a music publisher to acquire a songwriter's work for publishing while also providing a means for the songwriter to reacquire the rights.

• The songwriter transfers to the publisher all of the rights to a song, in return for royalty payments.
• The publisher agrees to publish the work within a certain time period, failing which the songwriter can demand that the rights to the song revert back to him/her (a right of reversion).
• The songwriter acknowledges that he/she will not receive any portion of monies paid to the publisher by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).

Your music publishing contracts are not complete without a copy of the Songwriting Contract with Reversion Rights. Buy and download it now.

Recording companies can engage songwriters to supply musical compositions under the terms of this non-exclusive Songwriting For-Hire Contract.

• The songwriter agrees to write songs on a for-hire basis for the record company.
• The recording company in turn agrees to record the songs in sessions with any of its various artists.
• The agreement covers only those songs written on a for-hire basis for the recording company, and excludes any other material written by the songwriter.
• The songwriter has the right to assign any songs to a performance rights society (ASCAP or BMI) and to receive all monies paid by the society.
• This digital template can be used in both the United States and Canada.

You can hire a whole stable of writers with this non-exclusive Songwriting For-Hire Contract. Download the template for your contracts library.

Hire sound and lighting technicians and equipment for live performances with this Sound and Lighting Contracting Agreement.

• The Agreement sets out the date(s) and time(s) at which set-up, sound check, and tear down of the sound and lighting equipment must take place.
• The concert promoter is responsible for supplying security personnel and adequate electrical power and other requirements for the concert.
• The concert promoter will provide venue passes and parking for the sound engineer, lighting technicians, and other necessary personnel.
• This template is downloadable and fully editable to fit your specific circumstances.

USA talent agents, write up a contract for a client quickly and easily with this Talent Agency Agreement template.

• This form of Agreement can be used for bands, solo musicians, and other performers.
• The agent will provide talent promotion and development services to the artist.
• The agent will be paid a commission calculated as a percentage of all gross compensation earned by the artist during the term of the agreement.
• The agent will devote as much of its time and energy as are required to perform its duties.
• The relationship between the parties is that of independent contractors, and not that of employer and employee.
• This legal contract template is available in MS Word format and is fully editable to fit your business.
• Governed by U.S. laws and intended for use only by parties based in the United States.

UK talent agents, sign up musical acts and live performers with this Performance Agency Contract template.

• The Contract can be used for musicians, bands, magicians, dancers, and other live performance artists.
• The Contract includes the performance agency's Standard Terms And Conditions and a schedule of information regarding the engagement.
• Buy the form once, and it's yours to use as often as you require.
• The Contract is governed by the laws of England and is intended for use in the United Kingdom.

In order to publish music throughout the world, a music publisher requires the composer or songwriter to assign the copyright for the musical composition over to the publisher. This Assignment of Copyright form is for copyrights registered in the United States.

• All of the writer's rights in the work are assigned to the publisher, together with all copyright and renewals.
• The form contains a statement that the composition is a work made for hire under the U.S. Copyright Act.
• The songwriter will continue to receive any performance royalties that he/she is entitled to receive.

Download the USA Assignment of Copyright in Musical Composition and use it as often as your business requires. Once you buy it, it's yours.

Book a band for a nightclub without going through a booking agent with this USA Booking Agreement between the club and the musical act.

• what happens if the employer defaults;
• time and length of the band's breaks;
• rules applying to the performance, such as dress, behavior, general conduct;
• American Federation of Musicians (A.F.M.) required clauses;
• blank contract rider form, which can be used to add additional terms for either the client or the band ⁄ artist.

Grant a record company or an artist the right to record music you hold the copyright on with this USA Compulsory Mechanical Rights License.

• The copyright holder gives permission for the record label or artist to record the song.
• The copyright holder grants the recording company or artist the right to reproduce, distribute and sell the composition, in exchange for a royalty on each sale, at whatever the current statutory rate is.
• The form is in accordance with the United States Copyright Act and is governed by U.S. laws.

Songwriters, composers and music publishers can all use the Compulsory Mechanical Rights License to allow other parties to record the music they have copyrighted.

Under the terms of this USA Music Copyright License & Royalty Agreement, a music publisher gives a record company the right to use copyrighted music.

• In return for getting the rights to record the songs / compositions, the record company pays the publisher a royalty on each sale of the recording.
• The license is only for music products manufactured and sold in the United States.
• The record company must provide quarterly statements and royalty payments to the publisher.

If you're a music publisher in the USA, you need to have the Music Copyright License & Royalty Agreement as part of your contract templates.

Provide management services to bands and musicians under the provisions of this Musical Artist Management Agreement for USA talent managers.

• The manager will provide a full range of management and promotional services, career advice, professional guidance and business acumen.
• In return for the services, the manager will receive a percentage of the musician's gross earnings.
• If the musician incorporates a company to run the business through, the manager will also be entitled to shares in the company.
• The contract is exclusive to the artist (i.e. the artist will not have anyone else managing his/her affairs), but the manager is at liberty to provide the same or similar services to other performers.
• The musician appoints the manager as its attorney-in-fact to sign contracts on its behalf.

You can make additions, deletions or changes to the USA Musical Artist Management Agreement template to make it a perfect fit with your business and services.

Acquire the publishing rights to a songwriter's musical composition with this USA Standard Uniform Popular Songwriters Contract.

• The songwriter transfers his rights to the song over to the music publisher. In return for those rights, the publisher pays the songwriter royalties on the sale of the music.
• The contract is subject to any existing agreements between the parties and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).
• The music publisher agrees not to license any use of the composition without the consent of the songwriter.
• The publisher agrees to publish the song within a certain time period, failing which the songwriter can demand return of the song.
• The songwriter has the right to examine all books and accounts relating to the composition.

If you publish music in the United States, you cannot be without this USA Standard Uniform Popular Songwriters Contract. Add the template to your cart, check out and download it - use it as often as you like.

Hire a composer to score a soundtrack for a new game product with this Video Game Soundtrack Agreement.

• You can use this agreement template for game titles released in the United States and Canada.
• The soundtrack composer is retained on a "work for hire" basis.
• The contract price will be paid in installments, as each development milestone is met.
• The game developer will retain full ownership of all music used in the game.
• The soundtrack composer will be entitled to 50% of the royalty for music which is used for any purpose outside of the game, such as on a music album or in TV broadcasts, etc.
• The template form can be downloaded immediately after you purchase it. it can be easily modified and adapted to fit your unique specifications.

Hire a vocalist to perform on a number of recordings with this exclusive Vocalist Recording Contract.

• The vocalist will record a specified minimum number of tracks, but the record company has the option to increase the minimum number.
• The vocalist grants the company all rights to the recordings and the right to use his/her name and image in promoting the recordings.
• The vocalist agrees to re-record any tracks that the record company considers necessary.
• The singer will be paid a fixed fee per recording for each recording that is acceptable to the record company.
• This template is available as a MS Word document which is fully customizable to meet your exact needs.

This Vocalist Recording Contract is written in favor of the artist, as an inducement to get an A-list singer to record tracks for you.

• This is not an exclusive contract. The vocalist is free to record elsewhere as well.
• The vocalist agrees not to perform any of the songs being recorded under this contract for any other party.
• The vocalist is at liberty to choose the material being recorded.
• The vocalist will be paid a royalty on 90% of all net record sales (after deducting the costs of recording, production, distribution and promotion).

Top selling singers are worth making a few concessions for. That's the whole point of the Vocalist Recording Contract (Artist).