Music Publisher Contract

A music publisher contract is a legal contract between a musical artist and a publisher, usually a record label, where the publisher agrees to publish the artist's musical compositions. There are seven basic types of music publisher contracts. They are single song agreements, exclusive song writer agreements, co-publishing agreements, administration agreements, collection agreements, sub-publishing agreements, and purchase agreements. Co-publishing agreements are usually the most common type of contracts. In a co-publishing music publisher contract, the publisher and the songwriter become co-owners of the copyrights to the music as well as co-publishers. A co-publishing music publisher contract will clearly state what percentage of copyrights go to each party. The percentage of total royalties from music sales will also be clearly stated in the contract. The percentage granted to each party depends on the specific contract, and how the terms are negotiated. It may be a 50/50 split contract, or the song writer may get 75% of royalties while the publisher gets 25%.

Fast Facts

  • There are currently over 2,000 active record labels listed in the Billboard publication.
  • In 1955, RCA Victor Records acquired Elvis Presley's Sun Records contract for $40,000.

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