Split Agreement
Contract defining how royalties and ownership are divided among collaborators.
Definition
A split agreement is a contract that formally documents how songwriting royalties and recording income are divided among collaborators. It establishes each contributor's ownership percentage and ensures income flows correctly once the song generates revenue.
Split agreements should be finalized before release to prevent disputes when money arrives. They're essential for any collaborative work and increasingly automated through digital tools and platforms.
Why It Matters
Undocumented splits cause disputes that can freeze royalties and destroy creative relationships. Clear split agreements prevent the conflicts that derail so many collaborations.
For musicians and producers, split documentation is essential professional practice that protects all parties.
Examples in Practice
A split agreement documents that the topliner gets 50% of publishing while two producers split the remaining 50% equally.
A collaborative writing camp begins each session with split agreement templates, ensuring documentation before songs are even finished.
A split dispute delays a song's release for months until lawyers resolve who owns what percentage.