Legal Agreements

Complete Contract Pack (40+ Contracts)

Do you want all of the contracts that we sell individually and some additional goodies? This is the package for you. Every single contract, that’s right – all 40 contracts AND some new ones not available individually – are in this zip file! You get them in various versions and for various countries for you to take advantage and build your legal arsenal.

Record Label Pack (14 Contracts)

If you run a record label then this package is the perfect one for you. For one price you get 14 contracts suitable for various aspects of running a record label. An overview of the available agreements are below.

• Recording Agreement
• Recording Contract_Non Exclusive
• Licensing Contract for Certain Recordings
• 360 Deal_Record Sales, Live Work, Brand Rights and Merchandise
• 360 Type Contract_Record Sales, Publishing, Live Work and Merchandise
• 360 Type Contract_Record Sales, Publishing, Merchandise, Acting
• Joint Recording and Publishing Contract_Non-Exclusive
• Session Musician Contract
• Producer Agreement (for signed artist)
• Merchandising Rights Contract
• Sponsorship and Endorsement Contract
• Cease and Desist Letter
• Letter of Claim – Copyright Infringement + Undertakings
• Photographer Contract

Publishing Label Pack (7 Contracts)

All the contracts that you could ever dream of that pertain specifically to record labels that are also publishers. Very helpful to be able to grow your brand from just being a record label to a full-fledged publisher that enables you to build a long-lasting relationship with your artists. Full overview of available contracts below.

• Exclusive Publishing Agreement
• Joint Song-writing Agreement – Joint Works
• Joint Song-writing Contract – Collective Work
• Publishing Agreement for Certain Compositions
• Joint Recording and Publishing Contract_Non-Exclusive
• Letter of Claim – Copyright Infringement + Undertakings
• Cease and Desist Letter

Producer Pack (9 Contracts)

You a producer/artist? You may need some contracts as well to ensure that you have your business affairs in order. Check out the overview of available agreements below!

• Producer Agreement (for signed artist)
• Producer Contract (pro-Artist)
• Production and Representation Contract (pro Producer)
• Sample clearance agreement with Publisher
• Sample clearance agreement with Record Label
• Song Remixing Agreement
• Letter of Claim – Copyright Infringement + Undertakings
• Cease and Desist Letter
• Session Musician Contract

Live Work Pack (7 Contracts)

Promoters, DJs, Bands have all one thing in common (well at least in most cases). They all play live. These contracts cover various LIVE show related events and occurrences. Overview of available contracts:

• DJ – Promoter Contract
• Artist – Promoter Agreement
• Venue – Promoter Agreement
• Sponsorship and Endorsement Contract
• Booking Form (UK & AUSTRALIA ONLY)
• Agent-Artist_Agreement (UK & AUSTRALIA ONLY)
• Agent-Hirer_Promoter_Venue Agreemet (UK ONLY)

Independent Artist Pack (13 Contracts)

There are many events in which bands with multiple members don’t work out. Often times it’s because there is no clear expectation over the type of partnership available. This contract pack covers joint ventures and a band partnership agreement as well as other useful contracts! Overview below:

• Band Agreement – Partnership
• Joint Venture Agreement
• Session Musician Contract
• Merchandising Rights Contract
• Producer Contract (pro-Artist)
• Sample clearance agreement with Publisher
• Sample clearance agreement with Record Label
• Photographer Contract
• Joint Song-writing Agreement – Joint Works
• Joint Song-writing Contract – Collective Work
• Letter of Claim – Copyright Infringement + Undertakings
• Cease and Desist Letter
• Artist – Promoter Agreement

Synchronization Pack (4 Contracts)

Are you planning on taking your music to the next level and getting it licensed on TV and Film? If you are doing it yourself, these agreements will be instrumental in helping you expand to that area. Overview of available agreements below:

• Master Track License (for film, TV)
• Music Composition and Recording Service Contract
• Non-exclusive Licensing Contract
• Synchronisation License Contract

Exclusive Recording Contract

The exclusivity applies to both the Artist (as a recording and performing musician) and to the songs written by the Artist during the term of the agreement. An additional number of songs written prior to the term are also assigned in the agreement. The exclusivity, in respect to the Artist, applies for the length of the agreement. In respect to the songs, for the life of copyright (unless otherwise agreed). Useful agreement for a label looking to engage an artist exclusively for a number of years, both as a performer and in relation to his/her songs.

Music Distribution Contract

With this agreement the owner of master recordings grants an exclusive right to distribute ‘records’ embodied in any format (compact discs, phonograph records, audio cassette tapes, digital audio tapes, DVD, etc) for a certain period of time (the Term) and in certain countries (The Territory).

Non-Exclusive Recording Contract

An agreement under which copyright on certain recordings is assigned (from Artist to Label) but Artist is not engaged exclusively by Label as a recording and performing musician. Artist is, therefore, free to assign copyrights not covered in this agreement to other labels. A flexible contract for a label looking to license particular recordings but do not wish to tie up an artist exclusively for a number of years or for a number of releases. It can be used as a trial agreement before moving on to an exclusive recording type of arrangement.

360 Deal Recording Contract

An agreement setting out the conditions in which a music company engages an artist with respect to his/her/their services as a recording artist, songwriter, composer/arranger of music and actor/actress (for film, TV and Theatre). It also grants the music company merchandise, sponsorship and endorsements rights for the use of the artist’s names, likenesses, and related Intellectual Property.

360-type deals have come around as the recording labels response to three major trends in the music industry in recent years: (1) the steady decline of revenue from record sales, (2) the increase in prices of tickets to live events and fan expenditure on merchandise and (3) the strengthening of the capabilities of the collecting societies and publishers getting better at their roles which translates in income from public performance and synchronisation becoming more and more significant.

Music Composition and Recording Service Contract

An agreement under which an artist is engaged by a company to compose, arrange, record and produce a piece of music to be used in the company’s own production (TV, Film, Video Game, etc). The artist receives a full and final fee as remuneration for the services provided and all copyrights are transferred to the company and moral rights waived. However, the artist remains entitled to his/her writer’s share of public performance royalties received directly from his/her performance right society (PRS, BMI, ASCAP, GEMMA, etc).

Company gets granted a license to use the artist’s name, likeness, voice and biographical data in relation to the company’s production and artist promises that the music delivered to the company does not infringe any third parties’ copyright. Useful for companies looking to commission both recordings and compositions from an artist for use in TV, films, etc.

Recording and Publishing Agreement On Certain Recordings

An agreement under which an Artist assigns both recording and publishing rights to a label in exchange for an advance, royalties and a commitment from the label to fund and release the recordings and procure synchronization and/or performance license for the compositions.

Recording rights are assigned for the length of copyright (50 years after release) and Publishing rights for a rights period of fifteen (15) years. The label will have six (6) months from delivery of the songs to procure a release of the recordings and performance and/or synchronization usages for the Compositions.

Useful for labels looking to acquire both recording and publishing rights from artist for particular songs using one agreement.

Joint Songwriting Contract

An agreement under which joint owners of copyright in a particular song or songs set out the percentages of ownership and the conditions in which they are permitted to promote said songs.

In the UK joint writers are allowed to re-use lyrics or music they contributed in a song (provided there are no restrictions made by labels) but only when the portion of the work written is sufficiently distinct and identifiable from the other parts of the co-written work. This contract overrides this default and sets out that each writer owns an interest in the whole copyright, not just their contribution.

Example: if two collaborators get together to write a song and one writes the lyrics and the other writes the music, either author can grant non-exclusive licenses for the entire composition (provided they pay each other their share of income) BUT neither is allowed to just pick their part of the composition and leave the other without continuing to pay their percentage of all the income if such is generated from the use of the part which the party wrote and re-used.

Band Agreement

A band agreement sets out how the group is run on a day-to-day basis, how decisions are taken and what will happen to the band’s name, domain and logo if the band is dissolved.

This agreement also deals with the question of who is entitled to what shares of the songs and the income. This is a very tricky subject and a very emotive one, which is why the band should deal with it at the beginning of the relationship before money starts to be earned.

A band agreement is a vital document that will work as blue print band members can refer to when taking important decisions and help them settle disputes easily. This band agreement contract is 7 pages long.

Collaboration Agreement

In today’s music market, working with singers and/or other producers is a great way to maximize and increase your profile presence. With this agreement, you’ll be able to easily and quickly work with another talented artist, singer, drummer, or whatever other individual you feel can help elevate your recording(s).

License for a Vocal Line Recording

Session Musician Contract

Sample Clearance Pack

Producer Contract For Signed Artist

An agreement where an artist appoints a producer to produce a recording or a number of recordings for the record label that the artist is signed to. The label makes available a budget for the producer which is inclusive of a recording budget (money used to pay for studio time and general expenses incurred in the making of the records) and an advance. Said advance, although non-returnable, is fully recoupable from the share of royalties the producer will get once the recordings are commercialized.

This agreement is made between a producer and an artist who is already signed. Masters produced by the producer will become part of the artist repertoire that is assigned to the record label under a Recording Agreement.

The template also contains letters of direction (1) to label in respect to payment of budgets and royalties to producer and (2 – US version only) to SoundExchange for the collection of statutory performance royalties deriving from usage in radio, streaming services and TV music channels.dfs

Producer Contract (Production & Representation Agreement)

An agreement under which a Producer funds the recording of musical performances by an artist. Producer is assigned full ownership of copyrights and representation rights for the length of the term of the agreement OR up until copyright is assigned to a third party label OR once production costs have been paid by artist to Producer or recouped in the form of Royalties or otherwise. Termination of the agreement does not affect Producer’s entitlement to royalties.

Producer Contract (Pro-Artist)

An agreement under which an Artist engages a Producer to conduct recording sessions and deliver certain tracks for a fee. The Producer will make reasonable efforts to present such compositions to labels with the view of securing a deal. In the event, such deal is secured the producer will receive a commission on the advance by the label as well as royalties on future income. This contract is 2 pages long.

Master Track License (for TV & Film)

Contract by which an owner of copyright grants a non-exclusive right to record, dub and synchronize the Master with TV programs, films, advertisements and trailers, and to exhibit distribute, exploit, market and perform the MASTER embodied within the Programs.

Licensing Agreement for Certain Recordings

An agreement under which an artist assigns recording copyrights (on an album) to a label for a defined period of time (7 years from the date of release).

The label will account fifty percent (50%) of net profits after recording, promotional, manufacture, distribution, legal and accounting costs are recouped. For synchronization usages the royalty will be of seventy-five percent (75%) and the artist is allowed to procure his/her own licenses provided it pays ten percent (10% gross) to label for any income generated from such licenses.

Agreement is exclusive in relation to the recordings being assigned but Artist is not engaged exclusively as a recording or performing musician and is, therefore, to assign copyrights not covered in this agreement to other labels.

Label is required to release the album within 6 months in the UK and within one year after the UK release. If a release is not procured within those periods of time the artist can claim copyright back on unreleased songs in respect to the territories where the songs are not released.

This is a flexible contract for a label looking to license particular recordings but do not wish to tie up an artist as a recording/performing artist exclusively for a number of years or for a number of releases. It can be used as a trial agreement before moving on to an exclusive recording type of arrangement.

Publishing Agreement For Certain Compositions

An agreement under which a songwriter assigns the copyright in certain songs (listed in contract) to a publisher for a limited period, in return for which the publisher arranges for the exploitation of the songs (although the agreement does not absolutely oblige it to exploit), collects the income from such licensing and accounts to the writer for an agreed share of that income. This contract is 8-pages long.

Music Publishing Contract

As a songwriter, you may be interested in business, but your talents are best spent in creating. However, someone needs to take care of business, and that’s where the publishing industry came from. When a publisher makes a standard deal with a songwriter, it will find users for the content, issue licenses, collect money and pay the writer(s) conditions of which will be included in the Publishing Contract.

Non-Exclusive Recording Contract

An agreement under which an owner of copyrights grants a license to a company to procure usage for the content (i.e. recordings and compositions) in the form of synchronization licenses. Such synchronization licenses are granted to various content users such as TV, film and video games producers. Thanks to the non-exclusive basis of the agreement the copyright owner (i.e. the party granting the license) is allowed to license the same content to other companies during the term of the agreement.

Tour Agreement – Artist Contract

Touring is how many musicians make revenue in the music industry. Setting up a tour can be very complicated and this agreement will help in the process. This agreement can be worked with an agency and/or for various venues and serves as a draft/start to get a custom tour off the ground.

Live Promoter – Artist Contract

This is an agreement whereby a promoter engages an artist to perform at an event, on a particular date and for a specified length of time. The promoter agrees to remunerate the artist for the satisfactory performance of the engagement and to help arrange transport and accommodation if required.

The artist agrees to perform the engagement to the best of his/her ability and to provide promoter with materials, photographs, biography, CV, and recordings for the promotion of the engagement.

Both parties agree to pay their own tax contributions and to comply with all rules, regulations, and agreements relating to health and safety. Agreement useful for promoters looking to have a document in place that comprehensively covers all of the most common issues related to live engagements.

Merchandising Rights Contract

This is an exclusive agreement whereby an Artist grants merchandising rights to a company which allows the latter to use the Artist’s name, logo, likeness, picture, artwork, trademarks etc., throughout a defined territory in connection with manufacture and sale of products of any kind.

Company accounts fifty percent (50%) of income to artist after recouping manufacturing and transport costs. Useful for labels or manufacturing companies looking to get an exclusive license to artists’ intellectual property for the manufacture of goods.

Promoter-Venue Contract

This is an agreement whereby a promoter hires a venue for a particular date in exchange for payment of a fee. The Venue will guarantee the promoter certain capacity and opening times as well as reasonable technical requirement required by the artist performing at the event.

The promoter agrees to be solely responsible for all costs related to the promotion and marketing of the event and to be liable for any fines imposed on the venue related to said promotion.

Both parties agree to act in a professional manner at all times to not act, omit or operate negligently or recklessly resulting in the impossibility to carry out the event. The contract can be customised to allow the promoter to provide his/her own bar stock, sound engineers and security for the event.

DJ-Promoter Contract

This is an agreement whereby a promoter engages a DJ to perform at an event, at a particular date and for a specified length of time. The promoter agrees to remunerate DJ for the satisfactory performance of the engagement and to meet certain requirements as requested by DJ (including a safe performance area, electrical outlets, and crowd control personnel). This agreement is useful for promoters looking to have a document in place that comprehensively covers all of the most common issues related to live DJ music engagements.

Cease and Desist Letter

Short communication by which a copyright infringer is given a period of time (usually 14 days) to stop an infringement and is threatened with further legal actions if fails to do so.

If the party which copyright was infringed on requires information relating to the number of products sold to assess what damages are payable then a ‘Letter of Claim – Copyright Infringement’ shall be used.

Artist Management Contract

This is a template for an exclusive artist management agreement for a term of three (3) years. Duties of the manager defined in the agreement include:

• Give advice in connection with image, branding, advertising, trends, and publicity.
• Promote and further the artist’s career.
• Seek opportunities to exploit the artist’s activities and the related products.
• Ensure that payments are collected and negotiate third-party contracts.
• Work actively to help secure record and publishing deals (if applicable).

The artist’s duties include carrying out to the best ability and in a punctual and sober manner all agreements, engagements, performances and promotional activities obtained by the manager. The manager’s commission is defined as 20% on gross profits with the exception of touring and merchandise activities on which commission is calculated on net profits. Manager is also able to reclaim agreed expenses incurred while carrying out his or her duties as manager. Includes helping drafting documents as well as US, UK, and Australian versions!

While it’s strongly advisable to have an attorney customise your agreement to your state or region’s specific legislation, we’ve given you a bit of a head start by including three variations of the artist management contract.

Non-Disclosure Agreement

An agreement which sets out the conditions in which an Agent engages an Artist with respect to different types of entertainment and performance commitments procured by the Agent. This contract is 5 pages long.

To comply with the 2003 legislation ‘The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses’ such engagement could not be made on an exclusive basis and therefore Artist is not prevented from working with other agents or even directly with hirers that the agent has introduced to the Artist.

Sponsorship Contract

This template compiles a comprehensive number of clauses dealing with different issues concerning the sponsoring of artists or events. Typically, a sponsor pays a sum to a manager (of an artist or an event) for the right to display the sponsor’s advertisement and/or sell sponsor’s products at an event or series of events.

Letter of Claim (Copyright Infringement)

Letter of claim to be used in relation to infringement of literary or artistic copyright, with separate undertakings. Use to request infringing party to provide information relating to the number of products sold to assess what damages are payable.