Collaborator Split
The agreed percentage of royalties each contributor receives from a song.
Definition
A collaborator split defines how songwriting and publishing royalties are divided among everyone who contributed to creating a song. This includes writers, producers, featured artists, and anyone who contributed copyrightable elements.
Splits are documented in split sheets signed before or shortly after a song's creation, becoming legally binding agreements about ownership.
Why It Matters
Clear splits prevent disputes that can delay releases and destroy professional relationships. Many hit songs have been tied up in legal battles over unclear ownership.
Establishing splits upfront—before a song becomes successful—protects all parties and ensures smooth royalty distribution.
Examples in Practice
Four co-writers agree to equal 25% splits on a song they created together in a writing camp session.
A producer negotiates 20% publishing and 3% of streaming royalties (points) for providing the beat.
A dispute arises when a sample isn't cleared, requiring splits to be renegotiated to accommodate the original songwriter's share.